The Anti-Homosexuality Law, 2023 was passed on Tuesday, according to Speaker of the House Anita Among, the institution will not be frightened.
“Everything we did, the legislation we approved, the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, was essentially to reassure the public that our Parliament is centered on the needs of the people. We don’t do it for a select group of people; we do it for the people, said Among.
She said this on Thursday during a memorial service held at Parliament for the late Speaker Jacob Oulanyah. On March 20th of last year, in Seattle, Washington, Oulanyah passed away from cancer.
Oulanyah, who was also a member of parliament for Omoro County at the time of his death, held the position of speaker for just nine months and 24 days after taking the oath of office at the Kololo Independence Grounds on May 24, 2021.
Speaker Among recalled that she had received numerous threats before the sitting in which Parliament enacted the Anti-Homosexuality Bill and that the continuous calls had compelled her to turn off her phones during her speech to the Members of Parliament and Staff who had gathered for prayers.
“I frequently receive warnings that we may miss out on Aids medications…
The government will cut off aid, exports, and tourism.
So what, I argued. Is it necessary for me to travel to America knowing that you would be prevented from doing so? among those asked.
She urged Ugandans and members of Parliament to stand together, maintain their courage, and forbid any intimidation in relation to the passed piece of law.
“I am who I am because of my people; I was sent here by the Bukedea tribe. I’m not in this place to solicit donations. I was under a lot of pressure, and I had to turn off my phones in order to finish the session first. We are a God-believing Parliament and we intend to transform this neighborhood and this nation. We won’t be intimidated, Among declared.
She spoke out while President Yoweri Museveni was being urged by the world community to reject the Anti-Homosexuality Bill.
The death penalty for severe homosexuality was adopted by Parliament under the private member’s bill. Aggravated homosexuality is a crime committed when the victim is a minor (under the age of 14) or an adult (above the age of 75), has a disability or develops one as a result of the sexual act, is mentally ill, or any combination of these.
The offence also applies when the perpetrator is the victim’s parent, guardian, or a close relative, when the victim develops a terminal illness as a result of the sexual act, when the perpetrator is a serial offender, when the perpetrator is a person in authority over the victim, when the offence was committed against a person using force, threats, duress, or undue influence, among other circumstances.
If found guilty, those found guilty of attempted aggravated homosexuality will serve a 14-year sentence; those found guilty of homosexuality will serve a 20-year sentence; those found guilty of attempted aggravated homosexuality will serve a 10-year sentence; and others will receive additional punishments.
Tigere Chagutah, regional director for Amnesty International in East and Southern Africa, made an appeal to President Yoweri Museveni not to sign the Anti-Homosexuality Bill on Wednesday.
President Yoweri Museveni must immediately veto this terrible law, which was enacted on Tuesday night after a hurried voting. Part of the statement states, “The bill is disrespectful to the Ugandan Constitution and amounts to a serious assault on LGBTQ people.
The adopted law, according to the regional director of Amnesty International, encourages prejudice and intolerance.
According to Tigere, “In truth, this extremely restrictive legislation would institutionalize prejudice, hatred, and discrimination against LGBTQ individuals, including those who are thought to be LGBTI, and obstruct the legitimate work of civil society, public health experts, and community leaders.”
The Bill is one of the most draconian laws targeting homosexuality in the world, according to a separate statement by Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary for the United States.
She sounded the alarm that doing so would violate all human rights, imperil the fight against HIV/AIDS, discourage tourism, and harm Uganda’s standing abroad.
Norbert Mao, Uganda’s minister of justice and constitutional affairs, urged Ugandans to reject the notion of so-called moral relativism, claiming it to be a myth.
According to Mao, “sometimes these so-called donors, the world community, and those who threaten us don’t wish us well and are actually kneeling on our oxygen pipes.”
He urged Parliamentarians to be prepared to take notes on the matter because Uganda’s choice is being made from a religious standpoint.
Both correct and wrong actions can be taken in certain situations. We are having some discussions in the cabinet, and I think Chris Baryomunsi, the minister of information and national guidance, should join us as the leader in communication to prepare talking points to communicate what Uganda stands for because some of you are probably going to hide, bite your tongues, or start apologizing…yes, it is possible when you are cornered.
The Minister questioned whether other nations could permit Uganda to impose cultures on them that they did not agree with.
“We love all people, Uganda is not homophobic, and there is no place in Uganda where people are running around killing gay people, but some of us have questioned whether those foreign nations would allow us to publish a textbook with that content if we went there and tried to teach them a new way of life?” Mao queried.
The Anti-Homosexuality Bill, 2023 was approved by Parliament, marking Uganda’s second effort to enact separate legislation against homosexuality.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni signed the first anti-homosexuality bill, which was introduced by David Bahati of Ndorwa East and approved by Parliament in December 2013, on February 24. On August 1st, 2014, the Constitutional Court, citing the absence of the required quorum, struck down the statute.