By Melanie Nathan, Feb 11, 2013.
David Bahati, MP and author of AHB
Ugandan LGBTI community is bracing itself for the moment that they knew would come, but hoped would not, as they report that The Anti-Homosexuality Bill, also known as the Kill the Gays Bill, is scheduled for its second debate tomorrow, in Uganda’s Parliament. This could lead to swift passage if President Museveni assents to it, by signing the Bill.
The President could choose not to assent to it, and then it will return to the Parliament for further debate. After the President returns it for a second time, the bill could see passage, without the President’s signature, on a two third majority vote. Because the bill is a Private Member Bill, having been introduced by MP David Bahati, the President has not veto power.
The Bill had to pass the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee to get to this point. It has been rumored that the Committee has suggested that the death penalty be removed, but until such time as the report is seen in parliament, there is no proof of this assertion.
The Bill will still provide life in prison for homosexuality, to include gays and lesbians. It will also provide prison sentences for those who fail to report known homosexuals as well as harsh punishment for the so called “promotion” of homosexuality, this will enable the Government to in effect ban NGO’s who assist LGBT Ugandans from operating in Uganda.
There has been no other indication of a minority report being available at this time, except for this comment from The Ugandan Civil Societies Coalition who have noted: “Members of the Ugandan parliament have stepped out of the majority to present their views about the Anti Homosexuality bill with a draft Minority Report. The members belong to the Legal and Parliamentary committee of parliament of We hope that the Minority report will be permitted for hearing when the bill is tabled.”
The Ugandan Parliament is said to be 90% in favor of the Bill.
While the last thing Ugandans appreciate is interference from the West, one wonders how our new Secretary of State, John Kerry, will deal with this situation. Previous Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton was very proactive in her comments against the possible passage of such a bill.
If the bill is passed and the Ugandan Government starts to make arrests, and notwithstanding the assertions of Sovereignty as a right to pass the Bill, it is highly likely that the brave Kuchus of Uganda will challenge the Constitutionality of the law. In essence the public debate may have only just began.
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So glad another African country is spending so much time and resources on such crucial issues. .
In this world of such wide disparity, how can Cavemen ever find a common ground with Spacemen? How can you drag parts of the world into the 21st century, as they kick and scream, wanting to preserve the dark ages forever. Are there American Republicans over there in Africa? Sure sounds like their kind of obstructionism and (religious) sanctioned cruelty.
Patrick Fasano
No one in Africa appreciates comments and ideas from the west that undermines their sovereignty. This was a light matter in Uganda before the western world tried to to force its views down our throats. The ant-homosexuality bill will be passed and enforced because ugandans feel they are being undermined not because they hate homos. The rest of the world should realise that we really do not care what they do with themselves. But we mind being told what to by people who think their views and culture are the yardstick of civilisation. I do believe the bill has had the majority of Ugandans back it because we hate being told what to do by some fellows who cannot mind their own business. As long as the west keeps meddling in African affairs there will always be protests reactions of such nature.
Well what a big irony. You are dead wrong to blame the BILL on those who have said it should NOT be legislated from the West. Here is the BIG irony in what you say. The reason for the Bill being introduced by Bahati in the first place was because of the western interference by the Christian Evangelicals, including Scott Lively and Lou Engle. The Ugandans did not care about homosexuality until the Evangelical American gay hating christians came to uganda and preached lies about homosexuality and urged Bahati to draft the Kill the Gays Bill. In fact there is acse in the USA right now where Ugandans are suing Americans for causing the Bill and its resulting persecution in Uganda.. So while Ugandans dont like being told what to do – being told NOT to implement the law, they seem perfectly fine in listening to the Americans who helped them craft the law in the first place. So my friend you ere told to go after the homosexuals by the WEST and you listened to that, but you wont listen to the Westerners who are asking you NOT to pass the Bill. Besides you can perfectly expect interference from the West if you breach The International declaration of Human Rights – which the Bill will in fact do. If your argument is worthy – based purely on sovereignty – then you are saying it was OKAY for South Africa to pass the Apartheid laws?
it is so unfortunate the so called democratic government can table and debate such a bill. it will be a sad note for some of us but our hearts will rejoice because we grooved who we are.
It doesn’t help to have the frikking Pope “blessing” frikking Kadaga for her murderous intentions, does it?! Of course, the irony of doing this immediately preceding “World Peace Day” is missed entirely by this hateful & divisive old man.
“…in his message for World Day of Peace 2013, he said same-sex marriage is unnatural and poses a threat to “justice and peace”…
Days before he was pictured giving a blessing to Rebecca Kadaga, the Speaker of the Ugandan Parliament, who has promised to pass the country’s notorious Anti-Homosexuality Bill.
In an end-of year address in 2008, the Pope said that the existence of gay people threatened humanity as much as the destruction of the rainforests”
So, to this idiot pope, Kadaga is a blessing & naturally occurring gay people are as deadly as the destruction of rainforests. The Nazi dictator Benedict can’t retire soon enough for me (& many others, I’m sure)!
http://www.gaynz.com/articles/publish/3/article_12901.php