Nairobi, Kenya: 23 March 2023 – On 21st March 2023 the Ugandan parliament approved a law which, if enacted, would criminalise people for identifying as a member of the LGBTIQ+ community.

The proposed law has been through two readings in parliament and is awaiting a third before it is put forward to the President for Assent. If passed, it will be a gross violation of and undermine the human rights and safety of people identifying as LGBTIQ+ in Uganda.

IPPF Africa Region is strongly concerned about the numerous ways in which the passing of this law will violate international human rights including the right to life and dignity, freedom of expression and association, protection from discrimination, and will compromise the full and complete attainment of sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Additionally, IPPF is extremely concerned about the dangerous message the law sends. In addition to criminalising consent, it encourages hatred, may escalate violence and gender-based violence targeting persons from LGBTIQ+ communities, popular justice, hinders the right to a fair trial, makes it easier to target minority groups, and harder for them to access justice and redress for hate crimes.

At a time when countries around the world and in Africa are decriminalising same sex relationships, this law, if passed, will be a serious step backwards for Uganda.

"IPPF works to ensure the sexual and reproductive health and rights of all people regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC) – including lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and intersex people – and ensure they have access to the full set of human rights enshrined in international human rights laws”, Said: IPPF’s Africa Regional Director, Marie-Evelyne Petrus-Barry.

“IPPF is willing to work with the Ugandan Government and other stakeholders to ensure that all Ugandan people can access their sexual and reproductive rights without fear, discrimination, or restraint", added Petrus-Barry.

IPPF strongly urges the President of Uganda to not sign off on this discriminatory law, uphold and safeguard the Universal Declaration and African Charter on Human Rights, and treat all Ugandans equally.

IPPF stands with the LGBTIQ+ community in Uganda and globally at this difficult time.

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For further information or to request an interview, please contact:

-Mahmoud GARGA, Lead Specialist - Strategic Communication, Media Relations and Digital Campaigning, IPPF Africa Regional Office (IPPFARO) – email: [email protected] / Tel: +254 704 626 920

ABOUT IPPF AFRICA REGION (IPPFAR)

The International Planned Parenthood Federation Africa Region (IPPFAR) is one of the leading sexual and reproductive health (SRH) service delivery organization in Africa, and a leading sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) advocacy voice in the region. Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, the overarching goal of IPPFAR is to increase access to SRHR services to the most vulnerable youth, men and women in sub-Saharan Africa.

Supported by thousands of volunteers, IPPFAR tackles the continent’s growing SRHR challenges through a network of Member Associations (MAs) in 40 countries. We do this by developing our MAs into efficient entities with the capacity to deliver and sustain high quality, youth focused and gender sensitive services. We work with Governments, the African Union, Regional Economic Commissions, the Pan-African Parliament, United Nations bodies among others to expand political and financial commitments to sexual and reproductive health and rights in Africa.

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