In recent months, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania have passed laws and implemented bans aimed at curtailing LGBTQ-specific activities and materials. Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill would sentence anyone who identifies with LGBTQ identities to 10 years in prison, while Kenya is poised to introduce a bill that would further criminalize homosexuality and impose life imprisonment for those convicted. Tanzania has banned LGBTQ-specific books and is increasing surveillance on materials containing such content. These actions have drawn criticism from human rights activists and the United Nations, who stress the importance of protecting all individuals from discrimination and violence, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. The LGBTQ community in these countries is facing a harsh environment, with rising numbers of direct and indirect attacks and surveillance. While some groups have praised a recent Supreme Court ruling allowing an LGBTQ and intersex rights group to register as an NGO in Kenya, others, including religious leaders and lawmakers, have criticized the decision and continue to push back against LGBTQ rights.
In recent months, three East African countries – Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania – have tightened their grip on LGBTQ rights. Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill, for example, would sentence anyone who identifies with “lesbianism, gay, transgender, queer or any other sexual or gender identity contrary to the binary categories of male and female” to 10 years in prison. Meanwhile, Kenya is poised to introduce a bill that would further criminalize homosexuality and impose life imprisonment for those convicted. Tanzania has also banned LGBTQ-specific books and increased its surveillance on materials containing such content.
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These actions have drawn criticism from human rights activists and the United Nations, who stress the importance of protecting all individuals from discrimination and violence, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Frank Mugisha, a Ugandan LGBTQ and intersex rights activist, has documented dozens of harassment and assault incidents targeting the LGBTQ community. Mugisha has raised concerns about the rising number of homophobic attacks committed by both people and security officials in Uganda since January. In Kenya, a recent Supreme Court ruling allowing an LGBTQ and intersex rights group to register as an NGO has been praised by some groups but criticized by religious leaders, lawmakers, and others who continue to push back against LGBTQ rights.
As LGBTQ individuals and communities in these countries face a harsh environment, it is important to remember that the State has a duty to ensure full protection of all people from violence and discrimination, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. The recent clampdown on LGBTQ rights in East Africa serves as a reminder that the fight for equality and human rights is ongoing, and that there is still much work to be done.
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