- Homosexuality
- ⚢✖ Illegal (death penalty as punishment)
- Gay Marriage
- ⚭✖ Banned
- Censorship
- ✖ Imprisonment as punishment
- Changing Gender
- Ambiguous
- Gender-Affirming Care
- ✖ Banned
- Non-Binary Gender Recognition
- ✖ Not legally recognized
- Discrimination
- ✖ No protections
- Employment Discrimination
- ✖ No protections
- Housing Discrimination
- ✖ No protections
- Adoption
- ✖ Illegal
- Intersex Infant Surgery
- Unknown
- Military
- ✖ Illegal
- Donating Blood
- Unknown
- Conversion Therapy
- ✖ Not banned
- Age of Consent
- N/A
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Public Opinion
Recent studies in Uganda indicate societal resistance to LGBTQ+ rights.
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History
Homosexual activity in Uganda is illegal (death penalty as punishment).
Current status
Since May 29, 2023
Illegal (death penalty as punishment)
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 three main categories.
1. Consensual sex between adults wherein the party is a second-time offender.
2. Rape, against an adult or a child.
3. Homosexual activities performed by those with HIV, or that involve a disabled or elderly person.
"Attempted homosexuality" is also punishable 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 three main categories.
1. Consensual sex between adults wherein the party is a second-time offender.
2. Rape, against an adult or a child.
3. Homosexual activities performed by those with HIV, or that involve a disabled or elderly person.
"Attempted homosexuality" is also punishable 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.
Illegal (imprisonment as punishment) federal law
Until 1902
Legal federal law
In precolonial Uganda, homosexuality was not criminalised. In fact, the last precolonial ruler of the Kingdom of Baganda, Mwanga II, was bisexual.
Same-sex marriage in Uganda is banned.
Current status
Since May 29, 2023
Banned
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
Imprisonment as punishment
As of May 29, 2023, the Anti-Homosexuality Act punishes the "promotion" of homosexuality with up to 20 years in prison.
State-enforced federal law
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
Since Mar 26, 2015
Ambiguous
In Uganda, transgender people do not have the ability to change their legal gender.
However, in 2015, the Registration of the Persons Act was passed. Article 38 states that if an intersex child is registered as either male or female and then has an operation to change from "a female to a male or from a male to a female" then it is possible for the child's legal sex to be changed.
However, in 2015, the Registration of the Persons Act was passed. Article 38 states that if an intersex child is registered as either male or female and then has an operation to change from "a female to a male or from a male to a female" then it is possible for the child's legal sex to be changed.
Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Uganda is not legally recognized.
Current status
Not legally recognized
In Uganda, non-binary people do not have the ability to legally identify as such on official documentation.
LGBT discrimination in Uganda is no protections.
Current status
No protections
In Uganda, neither sexual orientation nor gender identity is a protected class from discrimination.
LGBT employment discrimination in Uganda is no protections.
Current status
No protections
In Uganda, neither sexual orientation nor gender identity is a protected class from employment discrimination.
LGBT housing discrimination in Uganda is no protections.
Current status
No protections
In Uganda, neither sexual orientation nor gender identity is a protected class from housing discrimination.
Since 2023, with the passage of the Anti-Homosexuality Act, any landlord who rents to an LGBTQ individual and does not evict them will also face 20 years in prison if the individual they are renting to engages in or "encourages" homosexuality.
Since 2023, with the passage of the Anti-Homosexuality Act, any landlord who rents to an LGBTQ individual and does not evict them will also face 20 years in prison if the individual they are renting to engages in or "encourages" homosexuality.
Same-sex adoption in Uganda is illegal.
Current status
Illegal
No laws in place for same sex couples.
Intersex infant surgery in Uganda is unknown.
Current status
Unknown
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 1902
N/A federal law
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)
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