Top 7 African Countries With The Harshest Law On Homosexualism

Homosexuality remains highly contentious across Africa, with many countries enforcing strict laws to criminalize same-sex relationships. These laws often stem from deep-rooted cultural, religious, and traditional beliefs, leading to severe punishments such as imprisonment, fines, or even capital penalties. Among these nations, some stand out for having the harshest legal measures against homosexuality. This list identifies seven African countries where the legal system imposes the most severe consequences for same-sex relationships.

7. Nigeria:

In Nigeria, Federal law classifies homosexual behavior as a felony punishable on conviction with a fourteen-year prison term. An attempt to commit the same offence is also a felony, and is punishable on conviction by a 14-year prison term.

6. Zambia

Same-sex sexual activity is proscribed by Cap. 87, Sections 155 through 157 of the country’s penal code.
Section 155 (“Unnatural Offences”)of the act classifies homosexual sex described as “carnal knowledge of any person against the order of nature”) as a felony punishable by imprisonment for 14 years.

Attempt to commit homosexual act is also punishable.

5. Tanzania

Under Tanzanian law, anyone who “has carnal knowledge of any person against the order of nature, or permits a male person to have carnal knowledge of him or her against the order of nature” commits a crime punishable on conviction by thirty years to life imprisonment.
An attempt to commit sodomy is also criminalized and is punishable on conviction by a minimum of twenty years of imprisonment.

4. Sudan

According to the law In this North Eastern African country, the first and second time an individual commits Sodomy, he is punished with flogging by 100 lashes and an imprisonment of five years. If by any chance the same offender is convicted for the third time, he would be given death or life imprisonment.

3. Zambia

Formerly a colony of the British Empire, Zambia inherited the laws and legal system of its colonial master upon independence in 1964. Laws concerning homosexuality have largely remained unchanged since then.

According to this law, anyone who “has carnal knowledge of any person against the order of nature…or permits a male person to have carnal knowledge of him or her against the order of nature” commits a crime, and on conviction is punishable by fourteen years to life in prison. Attempt, which is also a crime, is punishable on conviction by a seven- to fourteen-year prison term.

2. Uganda

The Uganda Anti-Homosexuality Act, of 2014 was signed into law by the President of Uganda in 2014.
The act classifies homosexual sex (in the vague description “carnal knowledge of any person against the order of nature or permits a male person to have carnal knowledge of him or her against the order of nature”) as a felony punishable on conviction by life in prison. An attempt to commit such crimes, is also punishable on conviction by a seven-year prison term.

1. Mauritania

Before Mauritanian became independent in 1960, punishment for homosexual activity was limited to a maximum of three years in prison or a fine a of one million francs.

This old law was replaced by sharia law which was established around 1980.

The new sharia law sees sodomy as a crime against the Koran’s teachings and male Muslims convicted of homosexual acts are eligible for the death sentence.