Several sources have noted that the Act has exacerbated both the endemic homophobia in Uganda and the associated discussions about it. Others more specifically claim that such legislative actions are the result of politicized homophobia, a rhetorical tool used to further the interests of political leaders in the form of gaining popularity and/or distracting from corrupt behavior.

Same-sex relationships have been illegal in Uganda since British colonial rule – as they are in many African countries – and before this Act was passed, they were punishable by incarceration in prison for up to 14 years. The Act was introduced as a private member's bill by Member of Parliament (MP) David Bahati on 14 October 2009. A special motion to introduce the bill was passed a month after a two-day conference was held in which three Christians from the United States asserted that homosexuality is a direct threat to the cohesion of African families.

The Act, should it take effect, would broaden the criminalisation of same-sex relations in Uganda domestically. It also includes provisions about persons outside of Uganda who are charged with violating the Act, asserting that they may be extradited to Uganda for punishment there. The Act also includes penalties for individuals, companies, and non-governmental organisations that aid or abet same-sex sexual acts, including conducting a gay marriage.Furthermore, the Act enables the Ugandan government to rescind international and regional commitments it deems outside of the interest of the Acts provisions

The bill was signed into law by the President of Uganda Yoweri Museveni on 24 February 2014.[4][5] On 1 August 2014, however, the Constitutional Court of Uganda ruled the Act invalid on procedural grounds.

The Uganda Anti-Homosexuality Act, 2014 (previously called the "Kill the Gays bill" in the western mainstream media due to death penalty clauses proposed in the original version) was passed by the Parliament of Uganda, on 20 December 2013 with life in prison substituted for the death penalty.

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