Uganda’s progress in tackling HIV is in “grave jeopardy” after the president approved tough new anti-homosexuality legislation, the UN and US have warned.
An increasing number of people are being discouraged from seeking vital health services for fear of attacks and punishment, they added.
President Yoweri Museveni signed the Anti-Homosexuality Bill into law after parliament watered it down.
It is still among the harshest anti-LGBTQ laws in the world.
Homosexual acts are already illegal in Uganda but now anyone convicted faces life imprisonment.
The legislation imposes the death penalty for so-called aggravated cases, which include having gay sex with someone below the age of 18 or where someone is infected with a life-long illness including HIV.
In a joint statement, three of the world’s leading health campaign groups – the US President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (Pepfar), UNAids and the Global Fund – said they were deeply concerned about the “harmful impact” of the legislation.
Credit: bbc.com
