Uganda’s Criminalization Laws Worsen Online Harassment for LGBTQ Community: Amnesty Report
Rising Digital Attacks Under Restrictive Laws
A new report from Amnesty International highlights a surge in online attacks targeting LGBTQ individuals in Uganda, attributing it to vague laws that criminalize LGBTQ-related activities and perpetuate discrimination. Titled “Everybody Here Is Having Two Lives or Phones,” the report outlines widespread technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TfGBV) affecting the LGBTQ community in Uganda, including doxing, threats, impersonation, and disinformation campaigns that further marginalize them.
The Impact of the 2023 Anti-Homosexuality Law
En Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023 (AHA) has fostered an environment of impunity for digital harassment against LGBTQ individuals, forcing both individuals and organizations to change their online presence and limit their visibility. According to Shreshtha Das, Gender Researcher at Amnesty International, “The stigma and violence present offline are now mirrored and amplified in digital spaces.” The report shows that TfGBV leaves individuals vulnerable to severe offline repercussions, including arbitrary arrests, forced evictions, and mental health issues.
For more context on Uganda’s anti-homosexuality policies, visit our review of the Anti-Homosexuality Law in Uganda.
A ‘Witch Hunt’ and Government Inaction
Amnesty International’s research, involving interviews in six cities, reveals that Ugandan authorities not only fail to prevent such abuses but sometimes actively encourage them. Marco Perolini, Civic Space Policy Advisor at Amnesty, stated, “Instead of implementing policies to counter TfGBV, authorities have imposed discriminatory measures against human rights defenders.” This situation has forced organizations to limit their online visibility to avoid accusations of “promoting homosexuality.”
Learn about the global efforts against similar legislation in our piece on activists opposing World Bank loans to Uganda.
Prevalent Forms of Violence and Offline Repercussions
The report reveals that blackmail is the most widespread form of online harassment. Furthermore, both law enforcement and private citizens use social media to trap victims, leading to violence and extortion. Social media platforms have also become breeding grounds for hate speech and harmful narratives, falsely portraying LGBTQ individuals as “predators,” which leads to physical violence and social exclusion.
Read about how digital platforms are essential for LGBTQ communities in our article on how queer Zimbabweans use social media to fight hate.
Worsening Conditions After AHA 2023
Amnesty reports that the severity of online attacks against LGBTQ individuals has significantly increased since the passage of the AHA 2023. Most victims fear reporting incidents to the police due to the risk of further victimization. Moreover, social media platforms struggle with effective content moderation, especially in local languages.
For a broader view, explore our report on the rise of LGBTQ discrimination in Africa.
Recommendations and Call for Change
Amnesty International calls on the Ugandan government to repeal discriminatory laws such as the AHA 2023 and establish an independent body to investigate cases of TfGBV and other human rights violations. The organization emphasizes the urgency of addressing the legal environment that fosters such violence and advocates for comprehensive reforms to protect the rights and safety of LGBTQ people in Uganda.
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