Hundreds Gather Outside Uganda High Commission to Call on President Museveni to Veto Legislation
In a powerful demonstration on Tuesday, over 200 protesters gathered outside the Uganda High Commission in Pretoria, South Africa, to express their opposition to a recently passed anti-LGBTQ bill in Uganda. The protest, led by South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party, was a response to the harsh legislation which criminalises LGBTQ rights and imposes severe penalties, including the death sentence for “aggravated homosexuality.”
The bill, which has been overwhelmingly supported by Uganda’s parliament, defines aggravated homosexuality as acts involving minors, people living with HIV, or vulnerable individuals. The legislation also proposes up to 20 years in prison for those who promote LGBTQ rights. Despite parliamentary support, President Yoweri Museveni has the power to veto the bill, prompting protestors to call on him not to sign it into law.
LGBTQ activists, including Ugandan queer activist Papa De, participated in the protest to stand in solidarity with those back home, who fear arrest or violence for speaking out against the bill. De, speaking to the press, expressed the fear faced by LGBTQ individuals in Uganda, stating, “They are preaching hate crimes and genocide against our queer bodies, but we are human first. So, yes, I am scared because my family is still back in Uganda.”
Julius Malema, leader of the EFF, spoke directly to the protesters, warning Museveni that the bill could be used as a political weapon to suppress opposition. “If Museveni knows what is good for him, he will not sign it into law,” Malema asserted. He also highlighted Uganda’s ongoing issues with political repression, saying the government should leave LGBTQ individuals alone, as their identities are not a threat to anyone.
The demonstration highlights growing concerns about the increasing criminalisation of LGBTQ communities in Africa and calls for international pressure to protect the rights and safety of LGBTQ individuals in Uganda.
