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A new approach to a NEW Anti-Homosexuality Act (AHA) which seems to stem from the NRM and Museveni’s fear of more international reprisal and rulings of unconstitutionality.

By Melanie Nathan, August 12, 2014.

From what I can gather, in Uganda, the State will halt its appeal in an attempt to reverse the decision that the AHA is invalid and it looks as if they are going to focus on a Parliamentary resolution.

However reading between the lines, it seems this new cautious approach, as dictated to some extent by President Museveni, is probably designed to ensure a new Bill’s passage designed to preempt  International criticism as well as designed to avert a future ruling of unconstitutionality.

Here is the Red Pepper Report – and let me be clear that I abhor Red Pepper and its reporting as a general rule and have not checked the accuracy of their report, though a source informs me much of this has been confirmed on TV and in other press:

Government Chief Whip Justine Kasule Lumumba says the caucus meeting in Entebbe resolved that the Attorney General does not appeal the recent constitutional court ruling that annulled the law. Instead the proposed committee chaired by Vice President Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi scrutinizes the law away from the would-be lengthy court process.

The Attorney General had earlier filed a notice starting the appeal process aimed at overturning the unanimous verdict of the Constitutional Court that recently annulled the Anti-homosexuality law on the basis of lack of quorum at its passing in December 2013.

But with the latest Entebbe resolution, the appeal process will be halted.

Although the court ruling was mainly on procedural grounds and remained silent on the question of whether LGBT rights are protected by fundamental/constitutional rights, the NRM process would seek to address some of the issues that were raised in the petition but were not tacked.

The committee will review the contentious issues mentioned in the petition in line with the Act that was quashed and harmonize it with related laws. It is expected to report back to the NRM Caucus within one month.

The Nine Member Committee comprises of Vice President Kiwanuka Ssekandi as the head, MPs David Bahati, Chris Baryomunsi, Aidah Nantaba, Ruth Nankabirwa, Jim Muhwezi, Fred Ruhindi, Stephen Tashobya and Adolf Mwesige.

In the same meeting, President Museveni reportedly informed NRM MPs that the homosexuals were threatening to mobilize so that people in the United States do not buy products or raw materials from Uganda.

According to Lumumba, the president observed that since the Law had been technically knocked out by court, Parliament should push for a better law that will protect the family and children but not compromise Uganda’s sovereignty although he says it is equally important to keep the Country in good relationship with its partners.