Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni on Monday signed into law the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023, which provides for life imprisonment and the death penalty. The law was first passed in March.

The legislation imposes the death penalty for so-called aggravated cases, which include having homosexual sex with someone under the age of 18 or when someone is infected with a disease with no cure, including HIV.

This new version of the text approves life imprisonment for certain acts between people of the same sex, a maximum of 20 years in prison for recruiting, promoting and financing homosexual activities and even a 14-year sentence for homosexuals.

The President of Parliament, Anita Among, welcomed Museveni's decision to enact the bill, saying that it would "protect the sanctity of the family".

"We stood firm to defend the culture, values and aspirations of our people."

Museveni submitted the law for approval in Parliament and only two MPs voted against it.

The legislation has also been condemned by Ugandan campaign groups, who have filed a lawsuit to overturn the legislation on the grounds that it is discriminatory and violates the rights of LGBTQ+ people.

The US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), UNAIDS and the Global Fund said they were concerned about the "negative impact" of the legislation.

Ugandan legislator Asman Basal Irwa said in an interview that the law does not target those who practice homosexuality in private.

"But when you try to do it in public and recruit others to do things your way, that's where the problem lies." (cnn/opais)