The Archbishop of Canterbury has urged the Anglican Church of Uganda to reject the newly enacted anti-LGBT law in the country. Highlighting the contradiction with Christian teachings of the Gospel, he emphasized that there is no justification for Anglicans anywhere to support legislation that goes against their core beliefs.
The law, signed by President Yoweri Museveni in May, imposes severe penalties for engaging in gay sex, including life imprisonment, while “aggravated homosexuality,” such as transmitting HIV, is punishable by death.
Justin Welby, the leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion, wrote a letter to Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba, the Primate of Uganda, conveying his “grief and dismay” regarding the church’s position. He emphasized that supporting such laws contradicts the resolutions, teachings, and principles of the Anglican Communion.
Archbishop Kaziimba had previously expressed gratitude for the new law, arguing that homosexuality was being imposed on Uganda by “foreign actors” disguising themselves as human rights activists, contrary to the religious and cultural beliefs of Ugandans.
The Church of Uganda estimates that around 36% of the country’s population, approximately 45 million people, are Anglicans. However, the Anglican Communion, consisting of tens of millions of individuals across 165 countries, remains deeply divided on issues like the ordination of gay clergy and same-sex marriage.
The Ugandan church has been actively involved in the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON), a conservative group. In April, GAFCON expressed its lack of confidence in Archbishop Welby due to his support for the blessing of same-sex unions in churches.
In response, Archbishop Welby clarified that his stance was not an attempt to impose Western values on Ugandan Anglicans. Acknowledging the historical context of colonial rule in Uganda, he emphasized that this was about upholding shared Gospel principles with their Ugandan Anglican sisters and brothers.
