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Uganda: IPPF Africa Region Urges President Museveni to Veto Harmful New Anti-Rights Law Targeting LGBTIQ+ Community

Nairobi, Kenya: 10 May 2023 – On 2 May 2023, the Ugandan parliament once again passed a detrimental and dangerous anti-LGBTIQ+ law. This follows the revision of the March 2023 law, which was sent...

Nairobi, Kenya: 10 May 2023 – On 2 May 2023, the Ugandan parliament once again passed a detrimental and dangerous anti-LGBTIQ+ law. This follows the revision of the March 2023 law, which was sent back to parliament by President Museveni for amendments, but still remains alarming. The law criminalises same-sex relationships, and the promotion of homosexuality with prison terms of up to a maximum of life imprisonment. Read IPPFAR’s previous statement here.

IPPF Africa region (IPPFAR) remains extremely concerned about the violation of several international human rights that would be ushered in by this law, including the right to life and dignity, freedom of expression and association, protection from discrimination, the right to a fair trial, to protection against arbitrary arrest, and to access health services, thus compromising the full and complete attainment of sexual and reproductive health and rights.

In March 2023, IPPFAR warned that the proposed anti-LGBTIQ+ law would send a dangerous message and encourage hatred. Unfortunately, since then, IPPF has noted an increase in physical attacks against the LGBTIQ+ community, threats to the safety and security of civil society organisations, and an increase in hate speech towards LGBTIQ+ individuals and their allies.

As the leading provider of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services in Africa, IPPFAR is deeply concerned that the passing of this law will deter people from accessing potentially life-saving SRH services for fear of being targeted, thereby  detrimentally affecting access to the range of sexual and reproductive health and services in Uganda, including testing and treatment for HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections, the provision of antiretroviral therapy to HIV positive persons, contraceptive service utilisation and access to accurate SRH information. The law hinders clinicians and healthcare professionals from fulfilling their roles and providing high quality patient care in a safe and confidential environment.

“The IPPF Africa region condemns the new anti-rights law targeting the LGBTIQ+ community in Uganda and urges President Museveni to veto it promptly. This law will undo progress made in Uganda with regards to sexual and reproductive health and rights and will place many Ugandans in danger and at risk of several human rights violations”, said Marie-Evelyne Petrus-Barry, IPPF Africa Regional Director.

Once again, IPPFAR adds its voice to the widespread condemnation of this harmful and retrogressive law and urges President Museveni to veto it. The safety, heath, and dignity of all Ugandans must remain paramount.

IPPF continues to stand with the LGBTIQ+ community in Uganda and globally at this 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.

Learn more about us on our website. Follow us on FacebookTwitterInstagram and You Tube.

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