Uganda TV accuses President Obama of threatening sanctions if Anti-Homosexuality Bill passes

U.S. State department denies Obama threatened sanctions

By Melanie Nathan, November 21, 2012.

We received news today that the Ugandan Parliament has set the second reading of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill for Parliament’s agenda for today, Nov 21.  Note the Ugandan Kill the Gays Bill is at the second reading phase. (see process below.)   That means that the Bill is not being debated yet,  however it is on the order paper as BUSINESS TO FOLLOW: That means that all the items listed will be given priority after the items on the order paper are disposed off. (***See the Order paper below). However there is plenty time before December 15 for the Bill to come to the floor. So indeed it could be construed as imminent.

According to Uganda TV (see Below) reported by Prof. Warren Throckmorton, President Obama has stated that if Uganda Passes the Bill which has become known as The Kill The Gays Bill, the United States will issue sanctions against Uganda.  In a TV report the Ugandans state that the President has apparently sent a letter to members of Ugandan parliament. However in an updated report Wade McMullen from the Kennedy Center tweeted Throckmorton to say that the State Department denies that Obama threatened sanctions.

From this clip, we learn that Ugandan TV has reported to the contrary. They say sanctions may be in store for Uganda if Parliament passes the anti-gay bill.

Committee chair Stephen Tashobya is interviewed in this clip. Tashobya has at various times said the bill would not emerge from his committee. However, he would be a pivotal figure in the passage of the bill since his committee must submit a report for consideration by Parliament.

Tashobya discloses on this clip the fact that the US, via a letter from President Obama to members of parliament where he  has expressed concern for the Bill. The clip reports that thePresident said the U.S. will sanction Uganda if the bill passes. But this has been denied by the State Department.

The question is whether the Ugandans and Tashobya are lying. One wonders because it is known to all and especially to the State department that such threats may be counter productive and it is quite possible the Ugandans are announcing this to drum up even more support for the Bill as Ugandans tend to express anger when the West is seen to interfere. A true backlash!

On the other hand if such a letter did in fact go out, it may well serve to hold the Ugandan Committee process up, especially that the Ugandans may find themselves  caught up in the regional war looming right now in Congo, as rebels march on Kinshasa.  The Ugandans will probably want to stay in the US good books.

Ugandan activists have asked that the west do not cut AID to Uganda if the bill passes, but rather that the AID be channeled to rganizations that help grass roots, and perhaps those who are likely to provide assistance directly to the poorest of ctizens which could include the gay community. 

The Ugandan Gay community which had previously asked for caution, is asking that the international community now start to consider protests and letter writing campaigns to members of Ugandas Parliament, All should remain polite and the West should not threaten to cut AID.  However certain boycotts such as relating to trade, business and travel may still be considered.

What follows is a summary of the process provided with thanks to activist Kasha.

Melanie Nathan can be contacted at

How a private members BILL becomes LAW in UGANDAN PARLIAMENT
by  Kasha on Wednesday, November 21, 2012 at 9:11pm ·

THE PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA

The Process of the Bill in Parliament

How a Bill becomes Law

1. PRIVATE MEMBER’S BILL. Article 79(1) of the constitutional provides that

“parliament shall have the power to make the Laws on any matter for the peace, order,

development and good governance of Uganda”.

A bill is a draft of an Act of parliament and includes both a private member’s Bill

and a Government Bill. A private member’s Bill is moved by a backbench MP.

A. Plenary

. MP. Committee chairperson moves motion seeking leave (permission) to present

private member’s Bill.

. Provides proposed draft of the Bill.

. MPs debate and vote on motion.

. If the MPs reject the motion; the private member’s Bill is dropped.

. If the motion is approved: printing and publication of the Bill is done by clerk to

parliament.

. Bill is published in the Gazette

. Private member’s Bill is introduced for the first reading accompanied by certificate

of financial implication.

. Speakers refer Bill to appropriate committee.

B. Committee

. Committee scrutinizes Bill

o Calls responsible mover(s)

o Calls various stakeholders and government in public hearings

o Reviews relevant and related laws/documents

o Writes report with proposed amendments to plenary

C. Plenary

. Mover moves and justifies motion for second Reading of the Bill

. Committee chairperson presents report on the Bill

. Minority Report is presented (if it exists )

. MPs debate committee report on principles of the Bill

. Parliament votes for second Reading of the Bill

. Bill referred to the committee of the whole house

.

D. Committee of the Whole House

. Committee of the whole house means a committee composed of the whole body MPs.

. Chaired by the speaker /deputy speaker (referred to as chairperson)

. Sits in the chamber.

. Speakers leaves the chair, sits at the clerk’s Table

. MPs approve causes, and schedules of the Bill.

E. Plenary

. MP in charge of Bill asks plenary to resume

. Reports outcome of committee of the whole house

. Plenary votes for Third Reading of the Bill

F. Clerk’s office

. Clerk’s office prepares copies for authentication and Assent of the president.

. Copy sent to the president.

G. Presidents office

. President assents to Act of parliament*

. Act of parliament becomes Law of Uganda

. Implementation starts on commencement date

. Law is published in government Gazette

*president may reject to give assent

Constitution provides that the president shall within 30days after a bill is presented to

him/her either:-

o Assent to the bill

o Return the bill to parliament with a request that the bill or a particular provision

of it be reconsidered by parliament; or

o Notify the speaker in writing about the decision

The bill may be reconsidered and then presented for the president’s approval. However it

may become law without the president’s assent if he/she returns it to parliament two times.

It should have the support of at least two- thirds of all MPs.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

***NOTE here is the order Paper-

NOTICE OF BUSINESS TO FOLLOW

1. MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION OF PARLIAMENT TO URGE GOVERNMENT TO BAIL OUT SEMBULE STEEL MILLS LTD FROM THE INTENDED SALE OF ITS PROPERTIES
2. PRESENTATION, CONSIDERATION AND ADOPTION OF THE REPORT ON THE ADHOC COMMITTEE INVESTIGATING THE ENERGY SECTOR
3. THE ANTI-HOMOSEXUALITY BILL, 2012

4.         THE PUBLIC ORDER MANAGEMENT BILL, 2012

5.         REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ON THE STATUS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES

6.         REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ON THE AFRICAN SPACE RESEARCH PROGRAM (ASRP)

7.         REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL ECONOMY ON THE REQUEST BY GOVERNMENT TO BORROW SDR 87.1 MILLION (USD 135.0M) FROM THE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION (IDA) OF THE WORLD BANK GROUP FOR FINANCING OF THE WATER MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECT (WMDP)

8.         REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE NATIONAL ECONOMY ON THE STATE OF THE ECONOMY

9.         PETITION AGAINST THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER OF UGANDA ELECTRICITY BOARD (UEB) AND UEB (IN LIQUIDATION) FOR NON-PAYMENT OF GRATUITY   KAMPALA 21^ST NOVEMBER 2012

Contact Melanie Nathan
[email protected]

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