Parliament of Uganda has passed into Law a new Ant-Homosexuality legislation that makes it illegal to identify as LGBT in Uganda. The newly passed legislation makes ‘aggravated homosexuality’ punishable by death while gay sex without the aggravated tag carries a mere life sentence.

According to the new law, aggravated homosexuality refers to gay sex with people under the age of 18 or when the perpetrator is HIV positive, among other categories.

The new law makes Uganda’s legislation one of the harshest in the world with Uganda one of the 30 African countries to outlaw same-sex relationships.

The new laws makes it illegal to promote and abet homosexuality as well as conspiracy to engage in same-sex relations. Promoters say the new laws prohibit the erosion of traditional values, while critics especially from the west and organisations such as Human Rights Watch, say the new bill criminalizes people ‘simply for being who they are as well as further infringing on the rights to privacy, and freedoms of expression and association that are already compromised in Uganda.’

Commenting on the new development, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said the new legislation is appalling and abhorrent and that no one, nowhere, should have to live in fear because of who they are or whom they love. “We strongly urge Ugandan lawmakers to reconsider this legislation.” said Trudeau.