AFRICA ( Commonwealth Union) _ DeLovie Kwagala, a Ugandan LGBT activist currently residing in South Africa, plans to return to their home country despite the fear of potential arrest. Kwagala, who identifies as non-binary and uses the pronoun ‘they,’ has been living in Johannesburg since 2021 but their visa is set to expire soon.
Uganda recently passed a new law that imposes severe penalties on individuals who knowingly promote homosexuality, including up to 20 years in prison. The bill awaits approval from President Yoweri Museveni. This legislation is an amended version of a previous draft that sparked international condemnation from Western governments and human rights organizations.
Kwagala expressed frustration with the ongoing discrimination and stigmatization faced by the LGBT community in Uganda, stating that the law indirectly encourages society to act against them as immoral individuals. Last year, police threatened to detain Kwagala, which led them to abandon plans to return home.
Despite the renewed danger, Kwagala has decided against applying for asylum in South Africa to avoid becoming a refugee. The new bill in Uganda goes even further than before, making engaging in acts of homosexuality punishable with life imprisonment, and repeat offenders could face the death penalty for aggravated homosexuality. It is important to note that Uganda has not carried out capital punishment for many years.
Previously, an earlier version of the law aimed to criminalize individuals for identifying as gay. However, President Museveni sent it back to parliament, exercising his veto power. Homosexuality has been criminalized in Uganda since the colonial era, but since gaining independence from Britain in 1962, there has never been a conviction for consensual same-sex activities.
The situation highlights the oppressive environment faced by the LGBT community in Uganda and the risks involved in advocating for their rights. Kwagala’s decision to return to Uganda, despite the potential consequences, demonstrates their determination to fight against discrimination and pursue change in their home country.
