Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Uganda about the passing of the Sexual Offences Bill, and in particular Clause 11(i) of that Bill.

We note that the Parliament of Uganda passed the Sexual Offences Bill on 3 May. We are very concerned about the retention of dated language in Clause 11(i) which continues to criminalise homosexuality. We recognise the impact this has on the LGBT+ community.

We make regular representations to the Government of Uganda on this issue through our High Commission in Kampala. We also work through international organisations, including the UN, Council of Europe, Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the Commonwealth, to address discriminatory laws and end discrimination against LGBT+ people.

The UK plays an active role across the world in support of LGBT+ rights. There needs to be an end to violence and discrimination against LGBT+ people. The Minister for Africa made this clear when he spoke at the launch of the Global Interfaith Commission on LGBT+ Lives in December 2020. We will continue to challenge governments that criminalise homosexuality directly and at the highest political levels.