- Homosexuality
- ⚢✖ Illegal (other penalty)
- Gay Marriage
- ⚭✖ Not legal
- Censorship
- ✖ Imprisonment as punishment
- Changing Gender
- Ambiguous
- Non-binary gender recognition
- ✖ Not legally recognized
- Discrimination
- ✖ No protections
- Employment Discrimination
- ✖ No protections
- Housing Discrimination
- ✖ No protections
- Adoption
- ✖ Single only
- Military
- ✖ Illegal
- Donating Blood
- Unknown
- Conversion Therapy
- ✖ Not banned
- Age of Consent
- N/A
Public Opinion
Recent studies in Uganda indicate societal resistance to LGBTQ+ rights.
OPPOSE
SUPPORT
History
Homosexual activity in Uganda is illegal (other penalty).
Current status
Since May 29, 2023
Since May 29, 2023
Illegal (other penalty)
President Yoweri Museveni signed an "Anti-Homosexuality" bill into law. This still punishes homosexuality with imprisonment up to life, but the bill allows "aggravated homosexuality" to be punished by death.
The definition of "aggravated homosexuality" includes rape, sex with children, the elderly and people with disabilities. Homosexual activities performed by second time offenders or those with HIV is also considered aggravated, and punishable by death.
In effect, the only homosexual activity that is not punishable by death would take place between consenting adults (under the age of 75) who do not have HIV or previous convictions of homosexuality.
"Attempted Homosexuality" is also punished by law, meeting up to 10 years in prison, while "Attempted Aggravated Homosexuality" can be met with up to 14 years.
The definition of "aggravated homosexuality" includes rape, sex with children, the elderly and people with disabilities. Homosexual activities performed by second time offenders or those with HIV is also considered aggravated, and punishable by death.
In effect, the only homosexual activity that is not punishable by death would take place between consenting adults (under the age of 75) who do not have HIV or previous convictions of homosexuality.
"Attempted Homosexuality" is also punished by law, meeting up to 10 years in prison, while "Attempted Aggravated Homosexuality" can be met with up to 14 years.
Male illegal, female uncertain
Previous bill was struck down due to a technicality rendering it unconstitutional. However, homosexual conduct is still explicitly illegal and is punishable by imprisonment.
Illegal (up to life in prison as punishment)
Under this bill, "aggravated homosexuality" is punishable by imprisonment for life. Includes provisions which make it illegal to aid homosexuality, touch with the intent of homosexuality, and promote homosexuality. Allows extradition for homosexuality-related offenses.
Earlier referred to internationally as the "Kill the Gays" bill when first proposed on October 13, 2009, life imprisonment was substituted for the death penalty following international pressure.
Prior to this bill, homosexuality was illegal under Section 145 of the penal code, punishable by up to life imprisonment.
Earlier referred to internationally as the "Kill the Gays" bill when first proposed on October 13, 2009, life imprisonment was substituted for the death penalty following international pressure.
Prior to this bill, homosexuality was illegal under Section 145 of the penal code, punishable by up to life imprisonment.
Same-sex marriage in Uganda is not legal.
Current status
Since May 29, 2023
Since May 29, 2023
Not legal
The "Anti-Homosexuality Bill" signed into law by President Yoweri Museveni states that same-sex marriage is punishable by 10 years imprisonment. The same punishment is to be applied to those conducting same-sex marriage ceremonies.
Censorship of LGBT Issues in Uganda is imprisonment as punishment.
Current status
Since May 29, 2023
Since May 29, 2023
Imprisonment as punishment
As of May 29, 2023, the Anti-Homosexuality Bill was passed. This makes it punishable by a fine or 5-years imprisonment to "promote homosexuality" or use electronic devices for the "purposes of homosexuality". Practically, this prevents accurate discussion of LGBT issues in Ugandan media.
State-enforced
In 2019, the Uganda Communications Commission adopted the Standards for General Broadcast Programming in Uganda. Article 6(5) determines that “information, themes or subplots on lifestyles such as homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexualism, transsexualism, transvestism, paedophilia and incest” should not “promote, justify or glamorize” them. Further, explicit dialogue or information concerning the above topics should not be broadcasted. In addition, Article 8.6 states that sex education programmes should not encourage or promote “unnatural sex acts”.
Right to change legal gender in Uganda is ambiguous.
Current status
Ambiguous
Unknown.
Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Uganda is not legally recognized.
Current status
Not legally recognized
The law do not provide the option of identifying as “non-binary/intersex/gender non-conforming.”
LGBT discrimination in Uganda is no protections.
Current status
Since Jun 15, 1904
Since Jun 15, 1904
No protections
As homosexual conduct is illegal, discrimination against LGBTQ+ people are very present. Most recently, the anti-homosexuality bill tried to make it illegal for any person to not report an LGBT individual.
LGBT employment discrimination in Uganda is no protections.
Current status
No protections
According to the ILGA World, there are no protections in employment.
LGBT housing discrimination in Uganda is no protections.
Current status
Since Jun 15, 1904
Since Jun 15, 1904
No protections
Same-sex adoption in Uganda is single only.
Current status
Single only
No laws in place for same sex couples.
Serving openly in military in Uganda is illegal.
Current status
Illegal
There is no certain laws that outlaw gays serving in military, but intense discrimination prevents gays from serving openly. As such, homosexual activity is not legal.
Blood donations by MSMs in Uganda is unknown.
Current status
Unknown
Conversion therapy in Uganda is not banned.
Current status
Not banned
According to the ILGA World, there's no ban on conversion therapy in Uganda.
Equal age of consent in Uganda is n/a.
Current status
Since May 3, 2021
Since May 3, 2021
N/A
Not applicable since same-sex sexual relationships are illegal.
LGBT Rights by District
View the LGBT laws in each individual district of Uganda.
- Abim
- Adjumani
- Amolatar
- Amuria
- Amuru
- Apac
- Arua
- Budaka
- Bududa
- Bugiri
- Bukedea
- Bukwa
- Buliisa
- Bundibugyo
- Bushenyi
- Busia
- Butaleja
- Dokolo
- Gulu
- Hoima
- Ibanda
- Iganga
- Isingiro
- Jinja
- Kaabong
- Kabale
- Kabarole
- Kaberamaido
- Kalangala
- Kaliro
- Kampala
- Kamuli
- Kamwenge
- Kanungu
- Kapchorwa
- Kasese
- Katakwi
- Kayunga
- Kibaale
- Kiboga
- Kiruhura
- Kisoro
- Kitgum
- Koboko
- Kotido
- Kumi
- Kyenjojo
- Lira
- Luwero
- Lyantonde
- Manafwa
- Maracha
- Masaka
- Masindi
- Mayuge
- Mbale
- Mbarara
- Mityana
- Moroto
- Moyo
- Mpigi
- Mubende
- Mukono
- Nakapiripirit
- Nakaseke
- Nakasongola
- Namutumba
- Nebbi
- Ntungamo
- Oyam
- Pader
- Pallisa
- Rakai
- Rukungiri
- Sembabule
- Sironko
- Soroti
- Tororo
- Wakiso
- Yumbe
- Central (geographic regions)
- Eastern (geographic regions)
- Northern (geographic regions)
- Western (geographic regions)
Equality Rank
#102
Interest Rank based on Equaldex traffic ?
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