NEBBI LEGISLATORS STAND FIRM ON ANTI-HOMOSEXUALLITY BILL

BY KASIGWA ROSE

KAMPALA. Members of parliament from Nebbi district have sent a strong warning to all those who are involved or wish to engage in acts of homosexuality saying that they have themselves to blame when the anti homosexuality bill is assented to by the President.

The follows the passing of the bill by parliament that was overwhelmingly supported by the law makers on Tuesday this week. The bill once assented to by President Yoweri Museveni, it will criminalize people who identify as gay, or a sexual minority.

Speaking to Paidha FM Nebbi woman MP Agnes Acibu said that homosexual acts are not part of the African culture. She said the western world is taking advantage of Africans because of poverty.

 “These acts are not natural and a foreign behavior that is imparted to Uganda with ill intentions of wiping out the entire population since the main target is mostly the vulnerable young population.” She said.

She said that Uganda can manage its affairs appropriately without the financial aid from foreigners who want to erode the country’s morals.

She said there is need to protect the young generation from the vice and the cultural norms of the country.

She said that during her recent visit to the constituency, the people of Nebbi district asserted that they will not support homosexuality irrespective of the poverty levels.

“For the two weeks I have been in the district, the people of Nebbi said they would rather die of poverty than embracing homosexuality,” she revealed.

Agnes Acibu further said that the homosexuality act is un natural and un Godly.

“God created male and female and attempts to change Gods ways needs to be heavily punished by law,” she highlighted.

Hashim Suleiman the Nebbi Municipality Member of parliament appealed to the people of Nebbi to guard against homosexual acts and be vigilant by reporting any suspicious people that attempt to lure them into the act.

He said he is happy that his fellow legislators voted overwhelmingly in support of the anti homosexuality bill.

“We pray that the President assents to the bill and it’s passed into law in a bid to protect the country’s morals,” he said.

He said that homosexuality is prohibited by all religious denominations and cultures. He criticized the Western World for introducing Christianity and Islam to Africa and yet they are the same people that are promoting homosexuality.

Under the proposed legislation, friends, family and members of the community would have a duty to report individuals in same-sex relationships to the authorities.

A person who is convicted of grooming or trafficking children for purposes of engaging them in homosexual activities faces life in prison

Individuals or institutions which support or fund LGBT rights’ activities or organisations, or publish, broadcast and distribute pro-gay media material and literature, also face prosecution and imprisonment.

In 2014, Uganda’s constitutional court nullified another act which had toughened laws against the LGBT community.

It included making it illegal to promote and fund LGBT groups and activities, as well as reiterating that homosexual acts should be punished by life imprisonment, and was widely condemned by Western countries.

The court ruled that the legislation be revoked because it had been passed by parliament without the required quorum.

Same-sex relations are banned in about 30 African countries, where many people uphold conservative religious and social values.

Individuals could face lengthy prison terms if the bill is signed into law by President Yoweri Museveni.