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Catholic Activist Concerned about Death Penalty in Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill

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By Magdalene Kahiu

Kampala, 03 May, 2023 / 9:31 pm (ACI Africa).

The Campaigns Director for CitizenGo in Africa has expressed concern about the death penalty in Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill passed on Tuesday, May 4.

This bill proposes that people who engage in homosexual activities risk life imprisonment, and in certain cases, the death penalty. It has been criticized by the international community and mainstream media.  

The bill was first passed by the lawmakers on March 21 and returned to Parliament on President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s recommendation to distinguish between engaging in homosexual acts and being homosexual.

Ann Kioko from CitizenGo told ACI Africa that capital punishment in the proposed law is demeaning to human dignity.

“Capital punishment is extreme. It is not a solution,” Ms. Kioko said during the Wednesday, May 3 interview, and added that while homosexuality is considered a crime in Uganda, “every person has human dignity and only God can decide when to end life.”

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On the other hand, Ms. Kioko has praised Uganda’s firmness as “a good example for the rest of Africa.”

In the May 3 interview with ACI Africa, the Kenyan-born Catholic activist said, “Uganda has shown that African countries can be firm and reject cultural imperialism and defend African values without fear of favor.”

Some international organizations are mounting pressure on President Museveni to reject the Bill, saying it will affect the East African nation's economy negatively. 

Ms. Kioko has proposed that the Ugandan government comes up with rehabilitation centers for those who identify as homosexual, in view of helping them professionally.

She also highlighted the need for lawmakers to seek expert advice before drafting laws.

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The controversial bill is awaiting President Museveni’s assent to law.

Magdalene Kahiu

Magdalene Kahiu is a Kenyan journalist with passion in Church communication. She holds a Degree in Social Communications from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA). Currently, she works as a journalist for ACI Africa.

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