Uganda has passed a new anti-LGBTI law, banning all non-governmental organisations that “promote” homosexuality or provide support and advocacy for LGBTI people. Uganda's Pride Parade 2015 Uganda’s new Non-Governmental Organisations Act may see LGBTI activists in the country facing four to eight years in prison. The Ugandan government is also planning to shut down projects like the Walter Reed Project, a US-run HIV charity in the country. The Act also bans foreign NGOs from commenting on or becoming involved in Ugandan politics. All NGOs in the nation will now be subject to supervision, inspection and may be forced to dissolve or face severe criminal penalties if they are found to violate the law. Junior Internal Affairs Minister, James Baba, believes: “There are some NGOs who have come here to undermine us, to promote very bad behaviour like homosexuality. “As a responsible government we need to check that. [NGOs] will not be able to do that when we pass this law.” Earlier this month Ugandan activists issued a warning to all LGBT people in the country after eight transphobic attacks were reported in less than a week. The LGBT rights group Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) were calling for Ugandan LGBT people to stay alert following incidents of mob beatings, home invasions and death threats targeted at trans people.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Monday, 30th November 2015 - 1:52pm