Baldwin, Booker Express Concerns about Uganda's "Anti-Homosexuality Act" and its Devastating Impact on the Ugandan People and Public Health Program

Press Release

"The "2023 Anti-Homosexuality Act' represents an existential threat to LGBTQI+ individuals in Uganda. This law expands Uganda's criminalization of the LGBTQI+ community by increasing the sentence for same-sex acts to life imprisonment and, disturbingly, establishes a new charge of "aggravated homosexuality' which, in certain circumstances, is punishable by the death penalty. The law also seeks to criminalize the "promotion of homosexuality,' which is broadly defined to include activities such as leasing any house or building to anyone who is LGBTQI+ or who may be discussing LGBTQI+ rights, distributing information on homosexuality, or providing financial support to activities that "encourage homosexuality or the observance or normalization of' LGBTQI+ issues. This provision effectively silences an entire community of LGBTQI+ people and allies as the penalties for this provision include facing up to 20 years in prison.

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We are also deeply concerned that the provisions of the law regarding the promotion of homosexuality will undermine the gains that have been made toward HIV treatment and prevention in the country. Uganda has one of the highest HIV/AIDS infection rates in the world and has been a major recipient of assistance through PEPFAR. According to a 2023 Centers for Disease Control (CDC) report, since PEPFAR scaled-up their programming in Uganda in the early 2000s, the program has helped prevent almost 600,000 HIV-related deaths, as well as nearly 500,000 new HIV infections. Although HIV/AIDS affects many communities in Uganda, gay, bisexual, other men who have sex with men, and transgender women experience higher rates of HIV infection, with access to health care services curtailed by already existing criminalization statutes in the country. PEPFAR programs cannot be successful in meeting their goals without working closely with the Ugandan LGBTQI+ community and other key population partners to ensure access to safe, comprehensive, and welcoming services--as PEPFAR has done for two decades.

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The United States has a responsibility to advocate for the human rights of vulnerable communities around the world--including LGBTQI+ individuals. No one deserves to live in fear of persecution or death because of who they are or who they love. Thank you for your time and attention to this important matter."

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