The Role of Western Homophobia in Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill
For over a decade, Uganda has been discussed as “the world’s worst place to be gay.” In 2009, Uganda’s parliament introduced a bill that criminalized the “promotion of homosexuality.” In 2014, a new version of the bill was passed by parliament and signed into law by Uganda’s president, Yoweri Museveni, but it was ultimately nullified by the courts on a procedural issue. While the law was nullified, the lives of LGBTQ people are coming under increasing threat. On March 21, 2023, a new and harsher version of the bill was passed by Uganda’s parliament and is likely to be signed into law by Museveni. The bill was revised on May 2, 2023, but most of the harsh measures remain.
The new “Anti-Homosexuality bill,” also known as the “Kill the Gays” bill, further criminalizes and restricts members of the LGBTQ community — along with their friends, families and LGBTQ rights groups. Most notably, the bill makes engaging in “aggravated homosexuality” a crime punishable by death. Behaviors that are considered “aggravated homosexuality” include engaging in same-sex relations repeatedly or with a disabled person. In addition to same-sex relations, the bill criminalizes failing to report someone for same-sex acts within 24 hours and working with LGBTQ rights groups.
Proponents of the Anti-Homosexuality bill argue that homosexuality and ideas of LGBTQ rights came from the West and are a form of “social imperialism.” For example, Museveni argued that the West brought homosexuality to Uganda and that Westerners should stop imposing their beliefs on Ugandans and should “‘[r]espect African societies and their values.’” Underlying these claims is the notion that homosexuality is Western and “un-African.” This false narrative is also perpetuated by the West. The stereotype of a “homophobic Africa” is used to portray Africa as a backwards “other” and the West as a progressive protector of LGBTQ rights.
The claim that homosexuality is un-African is dangerous and false. It is the homophobia in Uganda that is rooted in Western colonialism. Laws that criminalize homosexuality have existed in Uganda since they were first introduced during British colonial rule. Christianity, which was also introduced during colonial rule, is used to support homophobic beliefs. As David Bahati, a Ugandan legislator who drafted and introduced the early versions of the bill, said, “‘[t]he principles of the Bible only guide you…The fundamental issue is homosexuality is sin. And if it is sin, it must be punished.’”
Western involvement in spreading homophobic ideas is not limited to the colonial past. American Evangelicals continue to promote homophobic ideas and legislation in Uganda, most notably through “the Fellowship,” which is an American movement and branch of Uganda’s Parliament. American fundamentalists have sent “money and missionaries” into Uganda, spreading the idea that homosexuality is a sin that should be eradicated. In 2010, it was reported that Americans such as then-Senator Jim Inhofe and Pastor Rick Warren were frequent attendees of Uganda’s Fellowship meetings. While Inhofe and Warren did not support the death penalty in the 2009 version of the bill, Bahati had the support of several American politicians, although he would not reveal who they were.
Not only do stereotypes of a homophobic Africa and a progressive West lend support to anti-gay arguments that homosexuality is Western and homophobia is African — they are completely false. The West deserves a great deal of blame for the legislation in Uganda that threatens the lives of members of the LGBTQ community.
As the White House threatens to pull aid, which is largely for health assistance, to Uganda if Museveni signs the bill into law, it should consider where many of the ideas behind the legislation are coming from. I am not arguing that sanctions should not be imposed. Sanctions are important for attempting to deter Museveni from signing the bill and for sending a message that the Biden administration condemns homophobia. However, these sanctions will harm many Ugandans for a bill that American evangelicals and politicians helped come to fruition. The administration must grapple with the reality that the United States is partially responsible for the homophobic legislation.
There is no easy solution, but at a minimum, the US government should be careful not to spread the harmful stereotype of a homophobic Africa. And what has become clear is that the government should look for ways to prevent the spread of homophobia within the US if it truly wants to prevent the spread of homophobia abroad.
