Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Uganda face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Activists estimated in 2007 that the Ugandan LGBT community consisted of 500,000 people.[5]

Both male and female homosexual activity is illegal. Non-vaginal intercourse (such as oral sex and anal sex) between heterosexuals is also illegal. Under the Penal Code, "carnal knowledge against the order of nature" between two males carries a potential penalty of life imprisonment. The Uganda Anti-Homosexuality Act, 2014 was passed on 17 December 2013 with a punishment of life in prison for "aggravated homosexuality".[6] The law brought Uganda into the international spotlight, and caused international outrage, with many governments refusing to provide aid to Uganda anymore.[7] Vigilante torture, beatings, and executions are tolerated [8][9][4]

In August 2014, the Constitutional Court of Uganda annulled the law. LGBT people continue to face major discrimination in Uganda, actively encouraged by political and religious leaders. Violent and brutal attacks against LGBT people are common, often performed by state officials. Households headed by same-sex couples are not eligible for the same legal protections available to opposite-sex couples. Same-sex marriage has been constitutionally banned since 2005.

Homosexual relations were accepted and commonplace in pre-colonial Ugandan society.[10][11] The British Empire introduced laws punishing homosexuality when Uganda became a British colony. These laws were kept after independence.[10] In May 2021, the outgoing parliament passed further criminalization laws on both sex work and gay sex.