Sexual Offenses Bill, 2019
The Sexual Offenses Bill, 2019 is a law in Uganda that consolidates a number of previous laws regarding sexual offences, introduces some provisions toward addressing sexual violence, and criminalises same-sex relationships.
| Sexual Offenses Bill, 2019 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Parliament of Uganda | |
| Territorial extent | Uganda |
| Enacted by | Parliament of Uganda |
| Introduced by | Monicah Amoding |
Legislative history
The bill was introduced by Kumi District Woman Representative Monicah Amoding in 2015. It then spent four years under review by the Committee on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs before returning to Parliament in February 2019.[1] A number of amendments were then proposed during parliamentary debates, among others an amendment that would've made consent required for sexual acts but that failed to gain majority support.[2][3]
It was passed by the Parliament of Uganda in early May 2021.[4]
Reception
Human Rights Watch called on the Ugandan president to reject the law, stating that "Ugandan lawmakers should focus on ending endemic sexual violence rather than seeing this as an opportunity to imbed abusive provisions that criminalize the sex lives of consenting adults."[5] Concerns have also been raised about the impact the bill would have on the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Uganda.[6]
References
- "Sexual Offences Bill to be re-tabled". parliament.go.ug. 20 February 2019.
- Okiror, Samuel (5 May 2021). "Uganda passes bill criminalising same-sex relationships and sex work". The Guardian.
- "Uganda's sexual offences law is a bitter lesson for the women's movement". openDemocracy.
- "Uncertain future for LGBT+ rights in Uganda as controversial bill is passed | DW | 05.05.2021". Deutsche Welle.
- "Uganda: Reject Sexual Offenses Bill". Human Rights Watch. 6 May 2021.
- "UN warns Uganda's draconian sexual offences bill risks 'further fuelling HIV'". 10 May 2021.