Washington D.C., USA, 22-27 July 2012www.aids2012.org
Assessing effects of anti-homosexuality legislation
in Uganda on HIV Prevention, Treatment,
and Care Services
Paul SemugomaChris Beyrer, Stefan Baral
Washington D.C., USA, 22-27 July 2012www.aids2012.org
Overview
• Current legislation, and Effects
• History of AHB (2009)
• Relevant Provisions of AHB(2009)
• Conclusions
• Acknowledgments
Washington D.C., USA, 22-27 July 2012www.aids2012.org
Current Sodomy LegislationUganda Penal Code Act
Section 145. Unnatural offences.Any person who—• (a) has carnal knowledge of any person against the
order of nature;.....• (c) permits a male person to have carnal knowledge
of him or her against the order of nature,commits an offence and is liable to imprisonment for
life.7
Washington D.C., USA, 22-27 July 2012www.aids2012.org
Results of Current Legislation• Little Programming
• Del Prado
• Ssempa statement
• DG Statement (2008)
• Fear
MSM Men (15+)0tan28a566028
0tan1a56601
0tan3a56603
0tan5a56605
0tan7a56607
0tan9a56609
0tan11a566011
0tan13a566013
0tan15a566015
Uganda
HIV Prevalence
Population
%
Source: Hladik, et al. Plos One, 2012
Washington D.C., USA, 22-27 July 2012www.aids2012.org
AHB No. 18
• 1st Reading 13th October 2009
• International Outcry, In country Demos.
• May 2011, 8th Parliament ends.
• Feb 2012, 9th Parliament, re-introduction
Washington D.C., USA, 22-27 July 2012www.aids2012.org
Persons in Authority• To 'impose a burden on the community to report
homosexuals',
all 'persons in authority', defined as one with 'power or control over other people because of your knowledge and official position... including … social authority'
are by law required to report them within 24 hours to authorities. Failure to report leaves one liable to a fine or imprisonment.
Washington D.C., USA, 22-27 July 2012www.aids2012.org
HIV Seropositive• Clause 3 (1), b
'A person commits the offence … aggravated homosexuality where the
b) Offender is a person living with HIV'. ….
• Clause 3 (2) 'A person who commits the offence of aggravated homosexuality shall be liable on conviction to suffer Death.'
Washington D.C., USA, 22-27 July 2012www.aids2012.org
Mandatory Testing
• Clause 3 (3)
Where a person is charged...that person shall undergo a medical examination to ascertain his or her HIV status'.
Washington D.C., USA, 22-27 July 2012www.aids2012.org
Promotion
• 'promotion of homosexuality'
• 'funding', 'sponsoring', 'offering premises for … homosexuality or promotion of homosexuality'.
Washington D.C., USA, 22-27 July 2012www.aids2012.org
Conclusions
• Increased Closeting
• Attack on development of Social Capital– Disclosure– Any help
• Attack on Testing
• Provision of services Criminalised
Top Related