Activists want stiffer punishment for marital rape in sexual offence bill

Human rights activities under the umbrella group ‘’Action Group for Health, Human Rights, HIV and Aids want the sexual offence bill 2015 that is yet to be debated in parliament to be amended with consideration on marital rape.

The human activists argue that equality in punishments must be exercised and argue that the minimum punishment to offenders should be five years.

According to Suzan Baluka, the Manager Advocacy and Documentation at Human Rights Awareness and Promotion Forum (HRAPF), parliament should amend some provisions if they are to offer is meant to protection to all citizens against sexual acts.

Among the noted provisions that the human right activists and women’s rights organization want amended is the minimum one year punishment for those convicted of marital rape.

This activists who met at the Uganda Museum in Kampala urged that an amendment be made so marital rape can receive an equal five year punishment that already applies to rape.

‘’The offences should not attract such a lenient penalty of one year or a fine compared to rape which is a minimum of five years. We therefore recommend that the marital sexual assault should attract a penalty of minimum of five year.’’says Flavia Kyomukama.

The activists also note that the use of HIV positive status as an aggravated factor in the commission of rape with the creation of different punishments for people living with HIV/AIDS is discrimination against public policy and also entrenches the stigma that people already face, recommending that provision be amended to remove the status.