By The Insight Post Uganda
Kampala –Uganda
A large portion of citizens in Uganda has applauded the Parliament of Uganda for passing a bill that sternly outlaws same-sex relationships.
The Anti-Homosexuality Bill, 2023, saw its swift green light, Tuesday night, after winning a majority vote in the 11th Parliament of the East African country.
Uganda goes on the record for introducing the same bill twice with the first attempt in 2014 being annulled by the country’s constitutional court.
Asuman Basalirwa, the Bugiri Municipality Member of Parliament, introduced the bill in early March before the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee for review.
The committee consulted with a diverse range of people, including human rights advocates and representatives from the religious community for their guidance.
It seeks to outlaw same-sex relationships, boost Uganda’s capacity to deal with local, regional and global threats to the heterosexual society, uphold traditional and cultural values, and protect children from homosexual and lesbian activities by enforcing sanctions against the offenders.
It is now left for President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to ratify the legislation with a final ‘John Hancock’ to enact it into full force.
In a plenary, the legislators seconded the anti-homosexuality Bill 2023 for the second reading. After the second reading, Robinah Rwakoojo, the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee chairperson, read a detailed report and supported the approval the legislation.
During the presentation of the minority report, Fox Odoi remarked that the Bill is an attempt to incarcerate individuals solely based on their appearance, even though they may not have contravened any laws.
He further emphasized that the Bill infringes upon the fundamental rights to privacy and equality.
The controversial legislation was bill passes amidst international outrage and plans to challenge it in court for the second time.
Will Uganda uphold its stand?
While the fate of LGBTQ+ members in Uganda hangs in the balance, human rights advocates from around the world are poised to contest the legislation in court.
In 2014, several donors issued a warning to cut aid in response to the implementation of anti-homosexuality laws.
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