Africa ( Commonwealth Union) _ In defiance of criticism from human rights organizations, In a country where homosexuality is already prohibited, Ugandan politicians on Thursday introduced legislation to parliament that calls for harsh additional penalties for same-sex partnerships.
Annet Speaker of the House Anita Among sent the bill to a parliamentary committee for assessment as the first step in an expedited process to make the concept into law. She added in a homophobic-laced speech before parliament that there would be “a public hearing” in which sexual minorities would be permitted to participate. She urged everyone to attend and express their opinions, even homosexuals.
The bill is being introduced at a time when in conservative Uganda, rumours on social media that unnamed foreign organizations promote homosexuality. Anyone who partakes in same-sex conduct or “holds out” as LGBTQ might be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison under the new law.
Annet Speaker of the House Anita Among sent the bill to a house Uganda researcher for HRW, stated that Ugandan politicians should put more effort into enacting laws that defend vulnerable minorities and uphold fundamental rights rather than continuing to persecute LGBT people for political gain.
e committee for assessment as the first step in a hurried process to make the concept into law. She also stated that there will be “a public hearing” in which sexual minorities would be allowed to participate during her homophobic-laced statement before the parliament.
She asked everyone, including gays, to attend and voice their ideas.
The measure is being introduced at a time when social media rumours are circulating in conservative Uganda that anonymous foreign organisations are promoting homosexuality. Under the new rule, anyone who engages in same-sex behaviour or “holds out” as LGBTQ may receive a sentence of up to 10 years in prison.
In a statement released on Thursday, Human Rights Watch (HRW) called the new legislation “a revamped and more atrocious version” of the 2014 measure. Oryem Nyeko, An HRW researcher in Uganda claimed that rather than continuing to punish LGBT people for political reasons, Ugandan authorities should focus more on passing laws that protect vulnerable minorities and uphold fundamental rights.
