The three districts that make up the Sebei region’s legislative body have been instructed by the Sebei Elders to support the anti-gay bill.
Kapchorwa, Kween, and Bukwo districts make up Sebei region.
The elders have urged the legislators to take into account the Sabiny customs and culture, which forbid same-sex unions since God, who created men and women for a specific purpose, commands it. This request has been made through their umbrella organization, the Sebei Elders Association.
The Sebei Elder’s Association’s adviser, Joseph Kamuron, implores lawmakers to recognize the effects homosexuality has on people’s lives and to strongly denounce it.
“We want our members of Parliament to be the answer to the society’s deteriorating morals, and they should entertain a measure that, at the end of the day, positively benefits the cultural values of their community,” he said.
Another elder, Noah Cheruto, claimed that the way that pro-gay activists are promoting its legalization is connected to the devil’s activities in Uganda and the rest of the world.
In a God-fearing nation like Uganda, the legislature shouldn’t permit same-sex marriages, according to Cheruto. “What is currently happening in reference to same-sex marriage is a sign of the end times and also the work of Neo-colonialists,” he added.
The Director of Reproductive Education and Community Health (REACH), Beatrice Chelangat, who also serves as the Sebei Elders Association’s secretary for gender, begs the women members of parliament not to withdraw when such a significant bill is being discussed because it is a matter of community concern.
She remarked that lawmakers “should have the same guts” as they did when they signed the Anti-FGM Act into law in 2010.
The Sebei parliamentary caucus’ chief whip, William Chemonges, a member of parliament from the Kween constituency, stated that they are against homosexuality and treat it seriously.
In order to speak with a unified voice, Chemonges added, “As far as I’m concerned and on behalf of the Sebei parliamentarians, we’re going to have a private meeting on the same topic.
Asuman Basalirwa, a member of parliament from Bugiri Municipality, was given permission by Parliament on Tuesday, February 28, 2023, to introduce a private member’s bill with the working title of the Anti-Homosexuality Law, 2023.
The Bill aims to outlaw and prosecute any forms of sexual connections between people who are the same sex as well as the encouragement or approval of such relationships.