On Wednesday 3rd April 2024 in stark violation of the Ugandan Constitution and Uganda’s obligations arising from the African Charter and the UN international law architecture, Uganda’s Supreme Court upheld the validity of the new Anti-Homosexuality Bill, which imposes the death penalty on LGBTQI+ individuals  for being just “who they are”, strips them of their rights as citizens and censors the work of civil society organisations undertaking human rights based advocacy and healthcare working in Uganda.

At its Congress in Ottawa last year Liberal International set out its complete opposition to the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, which it condemned  as an attack on the basic human rights of LGBTQI+ individuals in Uganda and today expresses its deep disappointment at the failure of the country’s Highest Court in its duty to uphold its 1995 Constitution, which contains clauses stipulating equality and non-discrimination for all.

Liberal International Human Rights Committee co-spokesperson on LGBTQI+ rights Adrian Hyyrylainen-Trett, emphasises “ that the decision by the Supreme Court of Uganda marks a further increase in the brutal oppression of LGBTQI+ people in Uganda, as Ugandan politicians, lawmakers and now even its judiciary sink to new depths of depravity and viciousness towards the LGBTQI+ community, with complete disregard for their own constitution.”

Liberal International will continue to inspire its member parties with the beliefs and ethos of liberal values, including LGBTQI+ rights, a core component of our human rights strategy.

We call on our member parties to use all necessary diplomatic, legal and financial means at their disposal to convince the Ugandan President to annul the Anti-Homosexuality Bill and in their talks with the Ugandan authorities urge them instead to decriminalise homosexuality and reduce violence and discrimination against LGBTQI+ community.