Uganda Passes Controversial Bill Criminalizing Same-Sex Relations and LGBTQ Identity, Imposing Severe Penalties.

Uganda’s parliament passed a controversial bill on Tuesday that criminalizes same-sex relations and identifies as LGBTQ, drawing severe penalties including death for so-called aggravated homosexuality and life in prison for gay sex.

The law, which was passed late Tuesday inside a packed parliamentary chamber, bans promoting and abetting homosexuality as well as conspiracy to engage in homosexuality. It also appears to be the first to outlaw merely identifying as LGBTQ, according to Human Rights Watch.

The bill was met with strong opposition from the LGBTQ community, who already face legal discrimination and mob violence in the East African country. Human Rights Watch has described the legislation as “a more egregious version” of the 2014 Anti-Homosexuality Act, which was later nullified by a court on procedural grounds.

The new law has been seen as a response to popular sentiment, but has been criticized by human rights groups for its harsh penalties. The bill prescribes jail terms of up to 10 years for offenses related to same-sex relations, and death for so-called aggravated homosexuality.

The Ugandan government has yet to comment on the bill, but it is expected to be signed into law by President Yoweri Museveni in the coming weeks. Human rights groups have called on the president to veto the bill, citing its potential to further endanger the LGBTQ community.