Two years after Uganda enacted one of the world’s most severe anti-LGBTQ laws, the country’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community is facing increased persecution, harassment, and violence, according to a new report released by Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Monday.
The 2023 Anti-Homosexuality Act introduced extreme penalties, including life imprisonment for consensual same-sex relations and the death penalty for so-called “aggravated homosexuality.” The legislation triggered widespread condemnation from human rights organisations and international donors, many of whom withdrew funding and publicly criticised the law.
In its latest findings, HRW documented testimonies from nearly 60 individuals, including LGBTQ persons, family members, activists, and political figures, highlighting what it describes as a deepening climate of fear and hostility.
“LGBTQ people and rights organisations are essentially living under siege,” said Oyem Nyeko, a researcher at HRW. “The law didn’t just fuel homophobia — it legitimised and institutionalised it.”
The report accuses Ugandan police of arbitrary arrests, harassment, and extortion based on individuals’ real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. Interviewees described a surge in threatening phone calls and online abuse since the law’s enactment.
“People would call and say, ‘We know where you live. We know what you are,’” one individual recounted to HRW.
The threats have escalated beyond digital harassment. One activist described a brutal home invasion in 2023, during which she was physically attacked and her friend sexually assaulted.
“One of the assailants told me, ‘I’m not just beating you for being unholy — I’m ashamed that you make me embarrassed to be Ankole. If we wanted, we could kill you, and no one would come looking,’” she said, referencing one of Uganda’s major ethnic groups.
Kampala-based rights organisation DefendDefenders echoed similar concerns. Within 24 hours of Parliament passing the bill, the group identified at least eight cases of physical or sexual violence, including reported incidents of corrective rape.
“The volume of assistance requests we receive is overwhelming,” one representative told HRW.
Prominent LGBTQ advocacy groups have also been targeted. Some have been outlawed, while staff members face threats or legal action. Even legal representatives defending LGBTQ individuals have reported intensified harassment and intimidation.
HRW said it reached out to Uganda’s government, police, and public prosecutors to share its research and request comment. No official response was received.
