Uganda faces calls to reject ‘appalling’ anti-LGBTQ bill

The United Nations and the United States led calls on March 22 for Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni to reject what has been labelled an “appalling” anti-gay bill. Ugandan lawmakers approved the Anti-Homosexuality Act late on Tuesday.

The United Nations and the United States led calls on March 22 for Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni to reject what has been labelled an "appalling" anti-gay bill.

Ugandan lawmakers approved the Anti-Homosexuality Act late on Tuesday after a chaotic near seven-hour session, ordering harsh penalties for anyone who engages in same-sex activity.

Homosexuality was already illegal in the conservative East African nation and it was not immediately clear what new penalties had been agreed, with reports some offenders could face life in prison or even the death penalty.

U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk urged Mr. Museveni not to promulgate the bill into law.

"The passing of this discriminatory bill — probably among the worst of its kind in the world — is a deeply troubling development," he said in a statement.

"If signed into law by the president, it will render lesbian, gay and bisexual people in Uganda criminals simply for existing, for being who they are. It could provide carte blanche for the systematic violation of nearly all of their human rights and serve to incite people against each other."

Amnesty International also appealed to Mr. Museveni to reject the "appalling" legislation, describing it as a "grave assault" on LGBTQ people.