Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act, 2023 continues to draw regional and international attention, not only over its strict provisions but also over broader governance concerns surrounding its implementation.
Amid ongoing debate, public health expert Dr Catherine Kyobutungi has raised pointed questions about whether the country’s focus on the law reflects the most urgent national challenges.
In a statement that has sparked discussion across policy and health circles, Catherine Kyobutungi questioned the real impact of the law since its enactment, shifting attention to Uganda’s broader socio-economic and health indicators.
“Since Uganda passed the anti-homosexuality Act: How much money has been lost to corruption? How many people have lost their lives due to dysfunctional hospitals? How many girls have been infected with HIV? How many people have perished from road crashes on poor roads? How many people have been robbed and killed by roaming gangs? Have Ugandans become more moral?” she asked.
Her remarks come against the backdrop of persistent concerns over Uganda’s public service delivery, including strained health facilities, underfunded infrastructure, and rising social insecurity.
While the government has defended the Anti-Homosexuality Act as a measure to uphold cultural values and social morality, critics argue that it risks diverting attention from structural governance challenges.
The Anti-Homosexuality Act, signed into law in May 2023, imposes some of the harshest penalties globally for same-sex relations, including life imprisonment and the death penalty in cases classified as “aggravated homosexuality.”
It also criminalises promotion, financing, and advocacy related to same-sex relationships.
Human rights organisations and international partners have repeatedly warned that the law could deepen stigma, restrict access to health services, and undermine efforts to combat HIV, particularly among vulnerable groups.
Ugandan authorities, however, maintain that the law reflects the will of the majority and is aimed at protecting family values.
Dr Kyobutungi’s questions highlight a broader policy debate: whether legislative priorities align with everyday realities facing citizens.
Issues such as corruption, road safety, healthcare access, and rising crime remain central concerns for many households across Uganda.