Activists Claim Uganda Modified Anti-Gay Law to Secure Donor Funding

Ugandan activists allege that recent amendments to the country’s Anti-Homosexuality Act were a strategic move by the government to regain donor funding after international backlash against the original law. The legislation, passed earlier this year, drew global condemnation due to its harsh penalties, including life imprisonment and the death penalty for certain offenses.

The amendments, which scaled back some of the law’s most draconian provisions, were introduced following extensive diplomatic pressure and threats of aid withdrawal by international donors. Critics argue that these revisions were not motivated by a genuine desire to protect LGBTQ+ rights, but rather to ensure the continued flow of foreign aid into the country.

“The government is merely pretending to soften its stance to appease international donors,” said a prominent Ugandan LGBTQ+ rights activist. “These changes don’t address the root of the issue, which is a pervasive and systemic culture of discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals.”

While the amended law has removed some of the most severe penalties, including the death sentence for “aggravated homosexuality,” it still criminalizes same-sex relationships and continues to impose long prison sentences for those found guilty. The law also retains language that could be used to penalize individuals and organizations for promoting LGBTQ+ rights.

International aid agencies and governments remain cautious about resuming financial assistance to Uganda, as they monitor the situation closely. Human rights organizations have urged donors to ensure that any funding provided to the Ugandan government is conditional on tangible improvements in LGBTQ+ rights and the repeal of discriminatory laws.

Critics believe the government’s move reflects a calculated political maneuver rather than a genuine commitment to change. They fear that without sustained international pressure, Uganda could revert to stricter enforcement of anti-LGBTQ+ laws once donor funding is secured.

The controversy surrounding the amendments highlights the delicate balance between international diplomacy and domestic politics in Uganda. As the government navigates these challenges, activists continue to advocate for the full decriminalization of homosexuality and the protection of fundamental human rights in the country.