On 24th February 2014, President Museveni finally signed the controversial Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2009 into law. The law that is now known as the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2014 is a more specific criminalization of same sex relations compared to what already existed in section 145 of the Penal Code Act.

The law was signed at State House Entebbe in the presence of both international and national media, members of parliament and other stakeholders. It was passed by parliament on 20th December 2013 pending the president’s ascent.

The Anti-Homosexuality Act 2014 was first introduced as a Bill in Parliament in 2009 by Hon. David Bahati the Ndoorwa West County Member of Parliament Kabaale District prescribing a death sentence for aggravated homosexuality with other provisions prescribing imprisonment. Though highly supported by the local community, it was highly opposed by foreign governments and human rights groups around the globe.

Later the contentious provision on death sentence was removed and replaced with life imprisonment for anyone committing the offence of homosexuality and aggravated homosexuality. It prescribes a 7 years sentence for people attempting to commit homosexuality.

In its current form, the Act also criminalises “promotion” of homosexuality. Human rights groups and other organizations that seek to promote tolerance and put an end to violence on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, as well as organizations providing other social services to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people could easily be shut down, and their directors and key staff are to face prison sentences of 5 years according to the approved law.