An asylum seeker from Uganda covers his face with a paper bag in order to protect his identity as he marches with the LGBT Asylum Support Task Force during the Gay Pride Parade in Boston, Massachusetts June 8, 2013.

Under a newly-enacted law in Uganda, anyone caught having same-sex relations could spend the rest of his or her life in prison.  Not only that, but anyone “attempting” or “aiding and abetting” homosexuality could get jail time, and even speaking one’s opinion of the issue out loud could have serious consequences.

Despite appeals from President Barack Obama,  retired South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Human Rights Watch and a host of other rights groups, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni Saturday signed into law the 2013 “Anti-Homosexuality Bill” February 22.  Originally introduced in 2009, it was shelved when Britain and the EU threatened to cut aid to Uganda.  But it was reintroduced in December and passed by parliament.

“As President Obama stated, this legislation is not just morally wrong, it complicates a valued relationship. Now that this law has been enacted, we are beginning an internal review of our relationship with the Government of Uganda to ensure that all dimensions of our engagement, including assistance programs, uphold our anti-discrimination policies and principles and reflect our values.”  – John Kerry, Feb. 24, 2014

So what does this bill really mean–and who does it target?

• Anyone actively gay, if caught, could be locked up for life.
• So are human rights groups and other organizations promoting gay rights or even urging an end to violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people (LGBT)–such as Freedom and Roam.
• Counselors and social service workers who counsel LGBTs are vulnerable.
• The bill will drive most HIV/AIDS patients underground and away from much-needed treatment and medication.
• And, as Human Rights Watch cautioned last December, the new law could encourage witch hunts and vigilantism.

We didn’t have to wait long to see these fears play out:  This week, the Uganda tabloid Red Pepper, published a list of 200 allegedly gay individuals.

Reactions in Washington have been strong:

President Obama said that enacting this legislation would “complicate” Washington’s relationship with Uganda; “At a time when, tragically, we are seeing an increase in reports of violence and harassment targeting members of the LGBT community from Russia to Nigeria, I salute all those in Uganda and around the world who remain committed to respecting the human rights and fundamental human dignity of all persons,” Obama said.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry called for the law to be repealed:

“As President Obama stated, this legislation is not just morally wrong, it complicates a valued relationship. Now that this law has been enacted, we are beginning an internal review of our relationship with the Government of Uganda to ensure that all dimensions of our engagement, including assistance programs, uphold our anti-discrimination policies and principles and reflect our values.”  – John Kerry, Feb. 24, 2014

Norway, Denmark and Norway have decided to freeze or redirect aid to Uganda.  The U.S. could do the same, as was suggested by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt., President Pro Tempore, Chairman Of The State Department And Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee) this week:

“…we need to closely review all U.S. assistance to Uganda, including through the World Bank and other multilateral organizations.  I cannot support providing further funding to the Government of Uganda until the United States has undergone a review of our relationship,” Leahy said.

It bears mentioning that the United States is Uganda’s largest bilateral donor.