Topic: LGBT Rights
Country: Uganda
Delegate Name: Catherine Hwang
School: Forest Hills Northern High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Uganda position papers GLIMUN 2018 committees
The issue regarding LGBT rights has been a global, controversial topic for many years. Especially in these past several decades, gender identity has become a prominent topic that has brought great disagreement among people politically and socially. Although some countries have accepted the rights of the LGBT community, several other countries are continuing to prosecute individuals who fall into the LGBT category. With the increase of LGBT persons in our society, the UN is continuing to address this concern. In 2011, the U.N. commissioned the first study focused on this controversial topic and in 2011, passing a wide-ranging resolution on human rights. However, when addressing this current issue, the religion, history, and cultural traditions of certain countries should be taken into consideration.
During the pre-European Ugandan society, the presence of male homosexuality was common in the country. Since the 19th century, when the country was put under British colonial rule, Uganda has been recognized to refuse acknowledgment of LGBT rights from an official and public standpoint. During this time, laws regarding the punishment of homosexuals were first introduced by the British empire and later preserved in the Penal Code Act of 1950. These laws claimed that actions of individuals of the LGBT community are deemed “unnatural” and they should be imprisoned for life, taking place of the previous death penalty. After Uganda had gained their independence, these laws were kept intact and became part of the Ugandan society, contributing to the homophobia in the population. Individuals part of the LGBT community, therefore, fell under the name of minorities. Furthermore, the Anti-Homosexuality Act of 2009 emphasized the country’s intolerance towards the LGBT community. Uganda believes that it is illegal to engage in homosexual acts and this behavior is unacceptable in its society. There is strong resistance from religious leaders as well as anti-gay advocates who argue that behaviors of individuals belonging to the LGBT community are threatening traditional African family values and should not deserve to be present in a predominantly Christian nation.
Uganda is not ready for a full commitment to getting rid of punishments on the LGBT community for their behavior that is held against the standards of Ugandan society. Uganda acknowledges that other countries may have differing opinions regarding the rights of these individuals. But Uganda suggests that the nations in this committee take traditional and cultural differences into consideration, for Uganda and its old traditional values have greatly impacted their views on this matter. Uganda will be willing to take a slow approach to begin granting rights to the LGBT community, but will not agree to a resolution proposing immediate granting.
