Few well organised and skilled personalities can achieve what non-organised masses can fail. That is exactly what the global gay-community is doing in regard to Ndorwa West MP David Bahati’s proposed Anti-gay Bill in Parliament.
The inclusion of death penalty for homosexual and non-homosexual offences, totally adulterated the Bill. Organised advocacy can work better for politicians than encouraging the masses to hold street demos which expose them to the risk of being brutalised by armed forces. That is exactly, how the pro-gay community, have managed to cuff the Uganda government to nearly backing off the controversial Anti-gay Bill. There is even now a video on the internet that details how dangerous the anti-gay bill is to everybody, regardless of their sexual orientation.
“I am very grateful to Rob Tisinai for making a master class YouTube video that explains the full horrors of the Uganda Anti-Homosexuality Bill,” says human rights campaigner, Peter Tatchell of OutRage when referring to a short video by Rob which explains the full and deadly clauses in the Bill.
The bill currently before the Ugandan Parliament was sponsored by MP Bahati from the ruling party National Resistance Movement (NRM). The bill also has some clauses calling for a death penalty for anybody guilty of homosexual acts.
Ever since the bill was introduced last year, it has attracted worldwide condemnation. Early last month, the US President Barack Obama and his Secretary of State, Ms Hillary Rodham Clinton castigated the bill. Canadian and British prime ministers have also expressed concern.
The bill extends the existing penalty of life imprisonment for anal intercourse to all other same-sex behaviour, including the mere touching of another person with the intent to have homosexual relations and imposes a life imprisonment sentence for contracting a same-sex marriage.
Although, Uganda’s Ethics and Integrity Minister James Nsaba Buturo supports the bill, in an exclusive communiqué to this reporter about the Anti-gay Bill in Uganda’s parliament, the UK Minister of State for Africa, Baroness Kinnock, indicated that the British government is so disturbed by the bill that it has let the Ugandan government know about its objection: “We are very concerned about the bill and have made this clear in numerous representations to the Uganda government. Most recently, the Prime Minister raised the issue with Ugandan President Museveni at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Trinidad,” said Ms Kinnock.
President Museveni himself appreciates the power of the West as reflected in his speech last month to members of his party conference about his experience during CHOGM in Trinidad & Tobago: “The Prime Minister of Canada came to see me and what was he talking about? Gays. Prime Minister Gordon Brown came to see me and what was he talking about? Gays. Mrs Clinton [US Secretary of State] rang me. What was she talking about? Gays. There was a rally in New York of 300,000 homosexuals. Now, I would want to challenge you members of Parliament, how many of you, other than me, have had a rally of 300,000 people?
The UK Minister of State for Africa, Ms Kinnock, added: “Likewise, I raised the issue with Uganda’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sam Kutesa, also at CHOGM. The UK High Commissioner in Kampala takes every appropriate opportunity to engage Ugandan Ministers on the issue.
“We have also lobbied through the EU, Sweden, who held the EU Presidency in Uganda, led EU demarche to Ugandan Foreign Ministry in December. The European Parliament has also called on the Uganda authorities not to approve the bill in a resolution passed on 17 December,” last year.
Kinnock expressed fears about the Bill saying it’s detrimental to those who offer services for the fight against HIV/AIDS in Uganda. “Our concerns include the negative impact the bill would have on the rights of homosexual and heterosexual Ugandans through the criminalisation of any action that could be construed as support for homosexuality,” reads part of the letter.
It adds: “This could be extremely detrimental to the fight against HIV/AIDS in Uganda as, in theory, most donor agencies and international non-governmental organisations could be encompassed under this law. The UK is also in close touch with and is supporting Ugandan civil society organisations campaigning against the bill. We will continue to follow the passage of the bill and to lobby against its introduction,”
Under the current provisions of the bill being a member to organisations advocating and funding gay human rights and providing condoms or safer sex advice to gay people can be construed as supporting or promoting homosexuality and would therefore attract a sentence of between five and seven years in jail.
“It shows that this Bill is far more lethal and wide-reaching than most people realise. Ugandans don’t have to be gay or to have gay sex to be sentenced to death,” said Tatchell.
Under the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, the crime of “serial offender” is punishable by execution. A serial offender is a person who has “previous convictions” for “homosexuality or related offences.”
In other words, if a Ugandan has previous convictions for offences in the Bill and then has a subsequent conviction he or she will be classified as a serial offender and face execution.
“Related offences” in the Bill that can result in a death sentence for serial offenders include non-sexual acts such as: aiding and abetting homosexuality, advocating same-sex relationships or LGBT rights, having a same-sex marriage, publicising or funding pro-LGBT organisations, using the internet or a mobile phone for the purpose of homosexuality or its promotion, being a person in authority who fails to report an offender to the police within 24 hours.
These related offences are crimes that could be also committed by a heterosexual person. It is not just LGBT Ugandans who are threatened by this legislation, potential foreign visitors too are threatened by the bill. Under the bill, all convicted serial offenders are liable to execution, regardless of their sexuality. So who is safe? There might be nobody.
The writer is a Ugandan living in the United Kingdom
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To see the video on the Uganda bill
written by Rob Tisinai, March 10, 2010
Thanks for mentioning the video. Anyone who is curious can see it here:
http://wakingupnow.com/blog/uganda-kill-everyone-video
-1 Mangoes and tomatoes
written by Jespa, March 10, 2010
The writer of this article is mistaken . One should never compare mangoes with tomatoes . The gay movement that is making all this noise and producing videos is operating from outside of Uganda . They are organised as a special interest group . The opposition is based in Uganda where it deals with things that are not easy to judge . There are times when it can be said that the opposition has been smarter than Musevenis government .But that is a small part of a long story Its equally naive for one to declare that the gay community has won this war . It quite unlikely that Uganda will ever embrace homosexuality .
Homosexuals and their supporters are in for a shock if they think that this is over .
+2 Mangoes and tomatoes
written by Jespa, March 10, 2010
The writer of this article is mistaken . One should never compare mangoes with tomatoes . The gay movement that is making all this noise and producing videos is operating from outside of Uganda . They are organised as a special interest group . The opposition is based in Uganda where it deals with things that are not easy to judge . There are times when it can be said that the opposition has been smarter than Musevenis government .But that is a small part of a long story Its equally naive for one to declare that the gay community has won this war . It quite unlikely that Uganda will ever embrace homosexuality .
Homosexuals and their supporters are in for a shock if they think that this is over .
+1 jespa
written by solo, March 10, 2010
Jespa you must be mistaken if you for one moment think that we
Ugandan homosexuals think this war is over. It has just began and
we know we are in it for the the long haul.
-1 Solo
written by Jespa, March 10, 2010
Miwambo`s article gives a wrong impression . That is what my comment is about . If you are a homosexual , you should have read that many homosexuals think that they are so " powerful " they have stopped Uganda government to make very strong ant-gay laws . My opinion is that Miwambo and many homosexuals have failed to realize that the only part of Bahati`bill that some Ugandan organisations are opposed to is capital punishment. You may want to know that these same Human rights blocs are already against the death penalty anyway - regardless of the crime committed. This means that when or if the death penalty is ammended out of Bahatis bill , the homosexuals will have it tough and rough ´not only in Uganda , but allover Africa.
Just watch !.
+1 Jespa
written by gayuganda, March 10, 2010
Maybe what you havent realised, Jespa, is that that terrible bill, and the fact that some Ugandans, our fellow Ugandans think that it is good in the name of god to kill us and that that has galvanised us.
Of course we are a minority. But, we also have lots of stuff on our side. think of us as David against your Goliath. And, with that you might understand what we mean.
to say that most of the larger organisations are against the bill because of the death penalty is to be simplistic. Read the Catholic letter. Read the letter from the UJCC. that video is about only the death penalty. But....
anyway, just know it that also Ugandan, and African homosexuals have had a wake up call.
we are few. I still bet on us winning.
gug
+0 ...
written by Major Adam Kifaliso, March 10, 2010
m7 is a coward afraid of well organised groups , he preffers mengo , seya's DP to his raw brute and premitive insticts ,
+0 Minority
written by Jespa, March 10, 2010
There are many sexual minorities in Uganda and elsewhere, gayman .There is nothing simplist here.. I have read what all these groups ,have written. I n a nutshell they think that you homosexuals are sick or invalids that need treatment or prayer and not prison of death . I am sure that these groups would say the same if Uganda was about to pass a law that may send rapists and other people who practice un-natural sex to the gas chamber. The writer of this article and you gay people should not confuse " sympathy " with " rights " or "power"
+0 Minority
written by Jespa, March 10, 2010
There are many sexual minorities in Uganda and elsewhere, gayman .There is nothing simplist here.. I have read what all these groups ,have written. I n a nutshell they think that you homosexuals are sick or invalids that need treatment or prayer and not prison of death . I am sure that these groups would say the same if Uganda was about to pass a law that may send rapists and other people who practice un-natural sex to the gas chamber. The writer of this article and you gay people should not confuse " sympathy " with " rights " or "power"
+0 Minority
written by Jespa, March 10, 2010
There are many sexual minorities in Uganda and elsewhere, gayman .There is nothing simplist here.. I have read what all these groups ,have written. I n a nutshell they think that you homosexuals are sick or invalids that need treatment or prayer and not prison of death . I am sure that these groups would say the same if Uganda was about to pass a law that may send rapists and other people who practice un-natural sex to the gas chamber. The writer of this article and you gay people should not confuse " sympathy " with " rights " or "power"
+0 jasper
written by solo, March 11, 2010
In my humble opinion those who think that by remov ing the death penalty from this bill
will make a big diffrence are gravely mistaken.
Those opposed to the bill may have used it as a ralling point but I think they are being dishonest at best.
Most of the proponents of this bill genuienly beileve that they are right just like the withe minority in south Africa believed in apartied how ever they were wrong and so are bahati and co.
Shouldn this bill pass we will not only challenge it in court but also lobby the international community to impose sanctions on uganda similar to those given to south africa and Zimbabwe.
Given that there are numerous elected openly gay important figures in the west we are hopeful
+0
Friday, May 14, 2010
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Is Uganda's anti-homosexuality bill dead?
By Gregory Branch — Special to GlobalPost
Published: May 12, 2010 06:43 ET
KAMPALA, Uganda — The harsh Anti-Homosexuality Bill, which calls for the death penalty in some cases, suffered a serious setback when a legal committee advised that it be withdrawn from parliament.
The fate of the controversial legislation hangs in the balance with powerful forces both for and against the bill.
The legislation provoked an international uproar when it was proposed to parliament in October 2009. In addition to executions, it threatens long jail terms to anyone, including family members, who does not report homosexuals to the police.
The bill was proposed by member of parliament David Bahati, a member of President Yoweri Museveni's ruling party, the National Resistance Movement. The bill was backed by a number of influential evangelical ministers, some of whom are associated with and have received financing from American evangelical preachers.
At first it looked like the bill was assured passage and it was supported by demonstrations through the Kampala's streets by large crowds.
However international outrage, criticism from human rights groups and objections from major donors like Sweden, prompted the Kampala government to be wary of the bill. In mid-January Museveni issued a statement distancing himself from the bill. He appointed a cabinet committee to review the bill. The committee on May 7 recommended that the bill be withdrawn.
The committee's report found that the bill has "technical defects in form and content" and that many of the clauses are either unconstitutional or redundant of existing laws. Furthermore, the committee recommends deflecting negative attention away from the bill by changing its title or combining it with Uganda's existing law, the Sexual Offenses Act.
Only Clause 13 of the anti-gay bill — which addresses the promotion of homosexuality — “was worthy of consideration,” according to the report.
The cabinet committee suggests that the “useful provisions of the proposed law” should be incorporated into the existing Sexual Offenses Act. The committee agreed that promotion of homosexuality should be criminalized.
Some Ugandans remain completely against the anti-gay bill, like the Rev. Mark Kiyimba of the Uganda Unitarian Universalist Church, a self-proclaimed bisexual.
“Although the committee has made these recommendations, the bill is still a [Uganda Parliament] private member’s bill and can still be passed, in its original form," said Kiyimba. "Unless you can tell me that Bahati [the author of the bill] has changed his stance and is against the bill, it can still be passed.”
Life for gays in Kampala is difficult.
Published: May 12, 2010 06:43 ET
KAMPALA, Uganda — The harsh Anti-Homosexuality Bill, which calls for the death penalty in some cases, suffered a serious setback when a legal committee advised that it be withdrawn from parliament.
The fate of the controversial legislation hangs in the balance with powerful forces both for and against the bill.
The legislation provoked an international uproar when it was proposed to parliament in October 2009. In addition to executions, it threatens long jail terms to anyone, including family members, who does not report homosexuals to the police.
The bill was proposed by member of parliament David Bahati, a member of President Yoweri Museveni's ruling party, the National Resistance Movement. The bill was backed by a number of influential evangelical ministers, some of whom are associated with and have received financing from American evangelical preachers.
At first it looked like the bill was assured passage and it was supported by demonstrations through the Kampala's streets by large crowds.
However international outrage, criticism from human rights groups and objections from major donors like Sweden, prompted the Kampala government to be wary of the bill. In mid-January Museveni issued a statement distancing himself from the bill. He appointed a cabinet committee to review the bill. The committee on May 7 recommended that the bill be withdrawn.
The committee's report found that the bill has "technical defects in form and content" and that many of the clauses are either unconstitutional or redundant of existing laws. Furthermore, the committee recommends deflecting negative attention away from the bill by changing its title or combining it with Uganda's existing law, the Sexual Offenses Act.
Only Clause 13 of the anti-gay bill — which addresses the promotion of homosexuality — “was worthy of consideration,” according to the report.
The cabinet committee suggests that the “useful provisions of the proposed law” should be incorporated into the existing Sexual Offenses Act. The committee agreed that promotion of homosexuality should be criminalized.
Some Ugandans remain completely against the anti-gay bill, like the Rev. Mark Kiyimba of the Uganda Unitarian Universalist Church, a self-proclaimed bisexual.
“Although the committee has made these recommendations, the bill is still a [Uganda Parliament] private member’s bill and can still be passed, in its original form," said Kiyimba. "Unless you can tell me that Bahati [the author of the bill] has changed his stance and is against the bill, it can still be passed.”
Life for gays in Kampala is difficult.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Bahati Bill will only benefit gay promoters and asylum seekers
Hon. David Bahati’s Anti-homosexuality Bill, which a cabinet committee was reported to have recently rejected, has generated considerable controversy and debate both within and outside Uganda. Much of the exchange has been rather emotional, akin to a dialogue of the deaf, where neither party listens to nor hears what the other is saying.
Looked at rationally, both sides have legitimate concerns justifying their stand. Ardent supporters of the Bill set out to uphold African cultural values, which without doubt have been greatly eroded not only by the colonial experience but more recently by the onslaught of globalisation. Thus determined efforts have been made to impose Western values and practices on the entire world in the political, economic, social and cultural spheres, regardless of local viewpoints and sensitivities.
Homosexual practices, gambling in casinos, striptease (ekimansulo), prostitution, etc. are examples. On the other hand, centuries old African practices like polygamy are denounced as oppressive and backward.
Those who oppose the Bill, the vast majority of whom are heterosexual themselves, are concerned about the intrusion of the State into the private lives of individuals, the draconian penalties proposed, and the effect the Bill has on Uganda’s standing internationally. Furthermore, the Penal Code Act and indeed the Constitution deal with many of the concerns which the Bill sets out to prohibit.
There is also the argument that in the days of globalisation, a country cannot act or behave as if the views of other countries did not matter.
In the midst of the controversy over this Bill, it is not realised that even in the UK, homosexuality was illegal until comparatively recently. It was not until a private Member’s Bill sponsored by the Labour MP, Leo Abse, in 1967 that homosexual acts in private between two consenting adults were legalised.
My own take on the Bill is that it is a big diversion from the real and critical problems facing our Country. Examples are the all-pervasive and endemic pillage of public funds, the deadly diseases that are a scourge on a large part of the population, and the widespread illiteracy.
Take corruption. If two men or women steal X billion shillings of public funds, their heinous crime will have a considerable adverse effect on the welfare of the nation.
However, if two men or women lock themselves in a room somewhere and, with mutual consent, indulge in some odd pleasures of the flesh, the economic loss to the country is negligible. Why then ignore the corrupt couple and sentence the other to a term of life imprisonment?
So why not sponsor some robust, water-tight and readily enforceable legislation dealing with corruption, providing for lengthy terms of imprisonment for those convicted of such crimes and the confiscation of their ill-gotten assets?
On disease, we all know that malaria, the number one killer in this country, affects the vast majority of households especially in rural areas. Why not sponsor legislation requiring the relevant authorities to carry out mosquito sprays nationally, as happened in the past with no apparent ill effects.
Regarding illiteracy, why not bring in a Bill requiring each MP, out of their allowances and emoluments, to sponsor in their constituencies at least 10 pre-school nurseries and week-end literacy classes for adults?
Ironically there are two categories of unintended beneficiaries of this Bill. Firstly, those who are trying to promote gay rights in Uganda, who will be able to generate more funds from overseas on the grounds that they are fighting for equal opportunities and basic human rights. Secondly those seeking political asylum in the West, who will claim that they are fleeing from homophobic harassment and persecution.
Personally I have not come across any gay individual in Uganda, male or female. They must be a tiny minority. Why crack a nut with a sledge hammer?
I have read in the press that President Museveni has promised to veto this Bill if taken to him for assent. Whether this claim is well founded or not, under Articles 91 (5) and 91(6) of the Uganda Constitution Parliament can, with the support of at least two-thirds of all members of Parliament, override the presidential veto, thereby enabling the Bill to become law.
Consequently, the final responsibility for the passage of this Bill into law rests with MPs. This is a heavy duty that should be exercised wisely, taking into account the overriding national interests, both internal and external.
Mr Kibedi is a consultant with a city law firm
wakibedi@hotmail.com
Looked at rationally, both sides have legitimate concerns justifying their stand. Ardent supporters of the Bill set out to uphold African cultural values, which without doubt have been greatly eroded not only by the colonial experience but more recently by the onslaught of globalisation. Thus determined efforts have been made to impose Western values and practices on the entire world in the political, economic, social and cultural spheres, regardless of local viewpoints and sensitivities.
Homosexual practices, gambling in casinos, striptease (ekimansulo), prostitution, etc. are examples. On the other hand, centuries old African practices like polygamy are denounced as oppressive and backward.
Those who oppose the Bill, the vast majority of whom are heterosexual themselves, are concerned about the intrusion of the State into the private lives of individuals, the draconian penalties proposed, and the effect the Bill has on Uganda’s standing internationally. Furthermore, the Penal Code Act and indeed the Constitution deal with many of the concerns which the Bill sets out to prohibit.
There is also the argument that in the days of globalisation, a country cannot act or behave as if the views of other countries did not matter.
In the midst of the controversy over this Bill, it is not realised that even in the UK, homosexuality was illegal until comparatively recently. It was not until a private Member’s Bill sponsored by the Labour MP, Leo Abse, in 1967 that homosexual acts in private between two consenting adults were legalised.
My own take on the Bill is that it is a big diversion from the real and critical problems facing our Country. Examples are the all-pervasive and endemic pillage of public funds, the deadly diseases that are a scourge on a large part of the population, and the widespread illiteracy.
Take corruption. If two men or women steal X billion shillings of public funds, their heinous crime will have a considerable adverse effect on the welfare of the nation.
However, if two men or women lock themselves in a room somewhere and, with mutual consent, indulge in some odd pleasures of the flesh, the economic loss to the country is negligible. Why then ignore the corrupt couple and sentence the other to a term of life imprisonment?
So why not sponsor some robust, water-tight and readily enforceable legislation dealing with corruption, providing for lengthy terms of imprisonment for those convicted of such crimes and the confiscation of their ill-gotten assets?
On disease, we all know that malaria, the number one killer in this country, affects the vast majority of households especially in rural areas. Why not sponsor legislation requiring the relevant authorities to carry out mosquito sprays nationally, as happened in the past with no apparent ill effects.
Regarding illiteracy, why not bring in a Bill requiring each MP, out of their allowances and emoluments, to sponsor in their constituencies at least 10 pre-school nurseries and week-end literacy classes for adults?
Ironically there are two categories of unintended beneficiaries of this Bill. Firstly, those who are trying to promote gay rights in Uganda, who will be able to generate more funds from overseas on the grounds that they are fighting for equal opportunities and basic human rights. Secondly those seeking political asylum in the West, who will claim that they are fleeing from homophobic harassment and persecution.
Personally I have not come across any gay individual in Uganda, male or female. They must be a tiny minority. Why crack a nut with a sledge hammer?
I have read in the press that President Museveni has promised to veto this Bill if taken to him for assent. Whether this claim is well founded or not, under Articles 91 (5) and 91(6) of the Uganda Constitution Parliament can, with the support of at least two-thirds of all members of Parliament, override the presidential veto, thereby enabling the Bill to become law.
Consequently, the final responsibility for the passage of this Bill into law rests with MPs. This is a heavy duty that should be exercised wisely, taking into account the overriding national interests, both internal and external.
Mr Kibedi is a consultant with a city law firm
wakibedi@hotmail.com
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Let’s swim and sink with Bahati on Gays Bill
By Beti Olive.Namisango. Kamya
We need to learn something from rich people when their interests are at stake - they have no qualms about principles. Legislators and civil society organisations in the UK, I hear, are working to isolate MP David Bahati, and squeeze him as an individual, having failed to make impact on the Ugandan population with their campaign against his Anti-homosexuality Bill, currently before Parliament.
The champions of democracy, rule of law and separation of powers, through their “fountains of honour”, the highest ranking political leaders in their respective countries, had the audacity to suggest to President Museveni that he should, by crook, interfere in a parliamentary process that had begun by Bahati’s tabling of the Bill before Parliament and that can only end by Parliament’s resolution on the matter.
It was not enough that Speaker of Parliament Edward Ssekandi advised them that the only way they could influence the process was to campaign and lobby for their positions through civil society or through laid down parliamentary procedure.
They chose high handedness, clearly manifesting that democracy is for the rich, not for Africa, and that in Africa, by touching the right buttons, democracy becomes a meaningless word. Now they have turned their guns on Bahati and are proposing a travel ban on him. They believe it is so important to us to travel to their countries that such a threat would scare sense into poor Bahati and force him to withdraw the Bill!
I, for one, have issues with the Bahati Bill and intend to contest many of its sections in the plenary, but what I have no doubt about is that what the Europeans and Americans are doing is not only campaign against Bahati’s Bill, not just putting the squeeze on Bahati, not fighting for rights of gays, but an assault on Ugandas sovereignty, and this requires all Ugandans to get together.
If it is the only thing that we ever do together as Uganda, we must come out in our full force and defend our sovereignty, led by Parliament. If the UK slaps a travel ban on Bahati, we should all decline any invitations or intentions, formal or otherwise, to travel to the UK and any country which slaps the ban on Bahati, for as long as the ban is in force, surely we can do that!
For a long time, the opposition has begged European donors to slap travel bans on corrupt government officials and abusers of human rights. We have begged our “development partners” to set benchmarks on government human rights record, as qualifications for grants, donations and loans, but they always explained to us that such benchmarks would hurt the ordinary person who benefits from their magnanimity. But when it came to their sympathy for homosexuality, they are prepared to cut their aid, as if the ordinary person will be shifted from Uganda.
I once asked one top diplomat whether the ordinary person of Zimbabwe was of no consequence, hence sanctions against Zimbabwe and he mumbled some incoherent answer – double stands all through our relationship with the developed world. What is good for them is too good for Africans, unless it suits their interests – but Africa refuses to learn, and each day, we put out our begging hand for more, not caring that the more we beg, the deeper we sink in the abyss of abuse and contempt – and I don’t blame the donors, because I, too, would hold in contempt anybody who came to me daily for handouts and loans which they never pay back and never improve the their families’ welfare. Let’s hang onto the fake dignity that we have and swim or sink with Bahati, our varying positions on his Bill notwithstanding.
We need to learn something from rich people when their interests are at stake - they have no qualms about principles. Legislators and civil society organisations in the UK, I hear, are working to isolate MP David Bahati, and squeeze him as an individual, having failed to make impact on the Ugandan population with their campaign against his Anti-homosexuality Bill, currently before Parliament.
The champions of democracy, rule of law and separation of powers, through their “fountains of honour”, the highest ranking political leaders in their respective countries, had the audacity to suggest to President Museveni that he should, by crook, interfere in a parliamentary process that had begun by Bahati’s tabling of the Bill before Parliament and that can only end by Parliament’s resolution on the matter.
It was not enough that Speaker of Parliament Edward Ssekandi advised them that the only way they could influence the process was to campaign and lobby for their positions through civil society or through laid down parliamentary procedure.
They chose high handedness, clearly manifesting that democracy is for the rich, not for Africa, and that in Africa, by touching the right buttons, democracy becomes a meaningless word. Now they have turned their guns on Bahati and are proposing a travel ban on him. They believe it is so important to us to travel to their countries that such a threat would scare sense into poor Bahati and force him to withdraw the Bill!
I, for one, have issues with the Bahati Bill and intend to contest many of its sections in the plenary, but what I have no doubt about is that what the Europeans and Americans are doing is not only campaign against Bahati’s Bill, not just putting the squeeze on Bahati, not fighting for rights of gays, but an assault on Ugandas sovereignty, and this requires all Ugandans to get together.
If it is the only thing that we ever do together as Uganda, we must come out in our full force and defend our sovereignty, led by Parliament. If the UK slaps a travel ban on Bahati, we should all decline any invitations or intentions, formal or otherwise, to travel to the UK and any country which slaps the ban on Bahati, for as long as the ban is in force, surely we can do that!
For a long time, the opposition has begged European donors to slap travel bans on corrupt government officials and abusers of human rights. We have begged our “development partners” to set benchmarks on government human rights record, as qualifications for grants, donations and loans, but they always explained to us that such benchmarks would hurt the ordinary person who benefits from their magnanimity. But when it came to their sympathy for homosexuality, they are prepared to cut their aid, as if the ordinary person will be shifted from Uganda.
I once asked one top diplomat whether the ordinary person of Zimbabwe was of no consequence, hence sanctions against Zimbabwe and he mumbled some incoherent answer – double stands all through our relationship with the developed world. What is good for them is too good for Africans, unless it suits their interests – but Africa refuses to learn, and each day, we put out our begging hand for more, not caring that the more we beg, the deeper we sink in the abyss of abuse and contempt – and I don’t blame the donors, because I, too, would hold in contempt anybody who came to me daily for handouts and loans which they never pay back and never improve the their families’ welfare. Let’s hang onto the fake dignity that we have and swim or sink with Bahati, our varying positions on his Bill notwithstanding.
Cabinet committee rejects Bahati Bill
by Rodney Muhumuza
A committee of Cabinet has made recommendations that could end Ndorwa West MP David Bahati’s proposal to have a separate law punishing homosexuality in Uganda. The recommendations, which Saturday Monitor has seen, come close to dismissing Mr Bahati’s draft legislation.
The committee, put together to advise the government after Mr Bahati’s draft legislation left Uganda condemned by sections of the international community, looked deep into the language, tone and relevance of the draft legislation, dissecting every clause to determine its usefulness.
It was not clear who wrote the draft legislation, the committee’s report says, noting that the document had “technical defects in form and content”. The result left the draft legislation almost bare, as nearly all of the clauses were found either redundant, repetitive of existing laws, or even useless. In fact, the committee found that only “Clause 13” of the draft legislation, about the promotion of homosexuality, had some merit.
“This appears to be the core of the (draft legislation) and should be upheld due to the fact that there was massive recruitment to entice people into homosexuality going on, especially among the youth,” the report says. Seven ministers were originally named to the committee, but only three, as well as a representative of the Attorney General, attended the meeting that produced these recommendations.
Dr Nsaba Buturo, the junior ethics minister, who has spoken fiercely against homosexuality, never attended this meeting. He has since complained to Local Government Minister Adolf Mwesigye, who chaired the committee, that the report did not reflect his views.
In response, Mr Mwesigye has accused Dr Buturo of being absent without reason, according to documents obtained by Saturday Monitor. The review of Mr Bahati’s draft legislation, called the Anti-Homosexuality Bill of 2009, was started after President Museveni told members of the ruling National Resistance Movement that anti-gay efforts at home were disrupting Uganda’s foreign policy. Mr Museveni’s comments came in the wake of growing concern in some international circles that the draft legislation was draconian. At the time, Mr Museveni said he had received a lengthy phone call from US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton over the matter. US President Barack Obama reportedly said the proposed law was “odious”, while Sweden threatened to cut aid to Uganda if the law was introduced.
Mr Bahati denied being in a hate campaign, but his critics said he lacked evidence to back claims that foreign gays were clandestinely recruiting young boys in Uganda. Ironically, while the committee accepted this as fact, they still found the tenets of his draft law weak. The offence of aggravated homosexuality, for example, needs to be “harmonised with the existing penalties in the existing laws,” the report says.
In his draft law, Mr Bahati proposed a new felony called aggravated homosexuality, the phrase he used to describe homosexual acts involving minors or the disabled, as well as in sex acts between homosexuals who are HIV-positive. He also proposed life imprisonment for consenting homosexuals. The Penal Code Act already criminalises homosexuality.
Needs review
“The Anti-Homosexuality Bill should be reviewed since some provisions of the Constitution were not followed in the process of drafting and that, therefore, it was illegally before Parliament,” the report says, adding that “some sections of the Penal Code Act could be amended to include some good provisions” of the draft law. This kind of amendment, the committee’s report says, is the preferable option.
Mr Bahati was not immediately available for comment. The draft law is currently before Parliament’s Committee on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs. Kajara MP Stephen Tashobya, who chairs the committee, has not said when he is likely to start discussion on it.
It was hoped, at least according to Dr Buturo, that the Cabinet committee would make certain amendments to the draft law. As it turned out, the committee critiqued Mr Bahati’s work so deeply that no amendments were proposed. Mr Mwesigye said on Thursday that he had no comment to make. Cabinet is yet to discuss the committee’s recommendations.
A committee of Cabinet has made recommendations that could end Ndorwa West MP David Bahati’s proposal to have a separate law punishing homosexuality in Uganda. The recommendations, which Saturday Monitor has seen, come close to dismissing Mr Bahati’s draft legislation.
The committee, put together to advise the government after Mr Bahati’s draft legislation left Uganda condemned by sections of the international community, looked deep into the language, tone and relevance of the draft legislation, dissecting every clause to determine its usefulness.
It was not clear who wrote the draft legislation, the committee’s report says, noting that the document had “technical defects in form and content”. The result left the draft legislation almost bare, as nearly all of the clauses were found either redundant, repetitive of existing laws, or even useless. In fact, the committee found that only “Clause 13” of the draft legislation, about the promotion of homosexuality, had some merit.
“This appears to be the core of the (draft legislation) and should be upheld due to the fact that there was massive recruitment to entice people into homosexuality going on, especially among the youth,” the report says. Seven ministers were originally named to the committee, but only three, as well as a representative of the Attorney General, attended the meeting that produced these recommendations.
Dr Nsaba Buturo, the junior ethics minister, who has spoken fiercely against homosexuality, never attended this meeting. He has since complained to Local Government Minister Adolf Mwesigye, who chaired the committee, that the report did not reflect his views.
In response, Mr Mwesigye has accused Dr Buturo of being absent without reason, according to documents obtained by Saturday Monitor. The review of Mr Bahati’s draft legislation, called the Anti-Homosexuality Bill of 2009, was started after President Museveni told members of the ruling National Resistance Movement that anti-gay efforts at home were disrupting Uganda’s foreign policy. Mr Museveni’s comments came in the wake of growing concern in some international circles that the draft legislation was draconian. At the time, Mr Museveni said he had received a lengthy phone call from US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton over the matter. US President Barack Obama reportedly said the proposed law was “odious”, while Sweden threatened to cut aid to Uganda if the law was introduced.
Mr Bahati denied being in a hate campaign, but his critics said he lacked evidence to back claims that foreign gays were clandestinely recruiting young boys in Uganda. Ironically, while the committee accepted this as fact, they still found the tenets of his draft law weak. The offence of aggravated homosexuality, for example, needs to be “harmonised with the existing penalties in the existing laws,” the report says.
In his draft law, Mr Bahati proposed a new felony called aggravated homosexuality, the phrase he used to describe homosexual acts involving minors or the disabled, as well as in sex acts between homosexuals who are HIV-positive. He also proposed life imprisonment for consenting homosexuals. The Penal Code Act already criminalises homosexuality.
Needs review
“The Anti-Homosexuality Bill should be reviewed since some provisions of the Constitution were not followed in the process of drafting and that, therefore, it was illegally before Parliament,” the report says, adding that “some sections of the Penal Code Act could be amended to include some good provisions” of the draft law. This kind of amendment, the committee’s report says, is the preferable option.
Mr Bahati was not immediately available for comment. The draft law is currently before Parliament’s Committee on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs. Kajara MP Stephen Tashobya, who chairs the committee, has not said when he is likely to start discussion on it.
It was hoped, at least according to Dr Buturo, that the Cabinet committee would make certain amendments to the draft law. As it turned out, the committee critiqued Mr Bahati’s work so deeply that no amendments were proposed. Mr Mwesigye said on Thursday that he had no comment to make. Cabinet is yet to discuss the committee’s recommendations.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Lou Engel in Uganda
When we got to the venue of the call prayer meeting, we expected some stinging statements but what we heard was out of this world.
First before a congregation of about 200 people and many empty seats, the opening prayer by a lady called Agatha put homosexuality above Corruption, terrorism, witchcraft, etc
But let us start with the participants; from Uganda we had the organizer Apostle John Mulinde, Pastor Kimuli, Julius Oyet, Nantongo, Elijah Kintu, Ndugwa, Apostle Ephraim Nyonyintono, pastor Nkambwe, Hon. Dr. Nsaba Buturo and family, Hon. Bahati of Uganda, family life network, foreign and local press, believers and non-believers. We had people from US, UK, Croatia, Kenya, Rwanda, Taiwan, etc
We were made to believe that there were many issues to be prayed for including homosexuality but with the first round of prayer, already God was being asked to help parliament pass the anti-homosexuality bill without debate, MPs, ministers, business community, religious leaders, cultural leaders and people from all the boarders of Uganda were prayed for to declare that Uganda is not for homosexuality. This according to Pastor Julius Oyet was in the presence of Ugandans and people from the whole world.
Pastor Julius Oyet said that children are being attracted to homosexuality for monetary gains like school fees and that Uganda was not going to be intimidated into accepting homosexuality.
Lou engle on stage
He said he come to know Uganda through Apostle John Mulinde and knew nothing about the anti-homosexuality bill when he was being invited to Uganda hence he had a big debate on whether he should come to Uganda when there was international controversy over his trip.
They were under a lot of pressure and now they understand the kind of pressure Ugandan pastors are under.
He encouraged Ugandan pastors to stand firm because they have been chosen to lead the world in the fight against homosexuality and that they are standing for the truth.
The pastors don’t hate gays or spread hate but NGOs, UN, UNICEF, etc are promoting a homosexual agenda which is against the teachings of the church.
Uganda is a Christian nation and God loves everyone trapped in sin but marriage was established between Man and woman for the wellbeing of children.
The government of Uganda should uphold righteousness in this land.
America has lost the fight against the homosexual agenda and it has got into school. Parents are even losing power over their children as schools are teaching them that homosexuality is okay.
God is using Uganda as ground zero or a starting point for the rest of the world against homosexuality. God chose Uganda.
His son prayed for the sexually broken and then all youths below 30 years were called in front and blessed to be the front runners in the fight for morality in Uganda.
Lou Engel and crew went back to US immediately after his prayer.
Hon. Dr. Nsaba Buturo on stage
All Ugandans are expected to follow what God says, if God says homosexuals are wrong, who can stand up and say that they have rights. Homosexuality is not a human rights issue, it is a sin.
Nsaba Buturo invited Bahati on stage to great applause, praising Bahati as a hero and declaring that homosexuality is not a human rights issue but an abomination.
We have laws showing that we don’t want homosexuals but we feel these laws are not strong enough hence the need to pass the Bahati bill without debate
There is need for us to pray for Bahati and MPs so that they can pass the bill without debate
It is our business to do what God says not what people abroad think, however powerful the nations are. Uganda will not accept that nonsense
Our dignity is not for sale.
We don’t hate homosexuals but they are lost and we are helping them.
Uganda is leading the world in fighting homosexuality and we will not accept any intimidation because if god is on our side who can be against us.
Why is homosexuality an issue today when it was not some years back?
All the pastors prayed for Bahati.
A final prayer was made for homosexuals and it was stressed that the church is not for killing homosexuals but wanted to win them over.
First before a congregation of about 200 people and many empty seats, the opening prayer by a lady called Agatha put homosexuality above Corruption, terrorism, witchcraft, etc
But let us start with the participants; from Uganda we had the organizer Apostle John Mulinde, Pastor Kimuli, Julius Oyet, Nantongo, Elijah Kintu, Ndugwa, Apostle Ephraim Nyonyintono, pastor Nkambwe, Hon. Dr. Nsaba Buturo and family, Hon. Bahati of Uganda, family life network, foreign and local press, believers and non-believers. We had people from US, UK, Croatia, Kenya, Rwanda, Taiwan, etc
We were made to believe that there were many issues to be prayed for including homosexuality but with the first round of prayer, already God was being asked to help parliament pass the anti-homosexuality bill without debate, MPs, ministers, business community, religious leaders, cultural leaders and people from all the boarders of Uganda were prayed for to declare that Uganda is not for homosexuality. This according to Pastor Julius Oyet was in the presence of Ugandans and people from the whole world.
Pastor Julius Oyet said that children are being attracted to homosexuality for monetary gains like school fees and that Uganda was not going to be intimidated into accepting homosexuality.
Lou engle on stage
He said he come to know Uganda through Apostle John Mulinde and knew nothing about the anti-homosexuality bill when he was being invited to Uganda hence he had a big debate on whether he should come to Uganda when there was international controversy over his trip.
They were under a lot of pressure and now they understand the kind of pressure Ugandan pastors are under.
He encouraged Ugandan pastors to stand firm because they have been chosen to lead the world in the fight against homosexuality and that they are standing for the truth.
The pastors don’t hate gays or spread hate but NGOs, UN, UNICEF, etc are promoting a homosexual agenda which is against the teachings of the church.
Uganda is a Christian nation and God loves everyone trapped in sin but marriage was established between Man and woman for the wellbeing of children.
The government of Uganda should uphold righteousness in this land.
America has lost the fight against the homosexual agenda and it has got into school. Parents are even losing power over their children as schools are teaching them that homosexuality is okay.
God is using Uganda as ground zero or a starting point for the rest of the world against homosexuality. God chose Uganda.
His son prayed for the sexually broken and then all youths below 30 years were called in front and blessed to be the front runners in the fight for morality in Uganda.
Lou Engel and crew went back to US immediately after his prayer.
Hon. Dr. Nsaba Buturo on stage
All Ugandans are expected to follow what God says, if God says homosexuals are wrong, who can stand up and say that they have rights. Homosexuality is not a human rights issue, it is a sin.
Nsaba Buturo invited Bahati on stage to great applause, praising Bahati as a hero and declaring that homosexuality is not a human rights issue but an abomination.
We have laws showing that we don’t want homosexuals but we feel these laws are not strong enough hence the need to pass the Bahati bill without debate
There is need for us to pray for Bahati and MPs so that they can pass the bill without debate
It is our business to do what God says not what people abroad think, however powerful the nations are. Uganda will not accept that nonsense
Our dignity is not for sale.
We don’t hate homosexuals but they are lost and we are helping them.
Uganda is leading the world in fighting homosexuality and we will not accept any intimidation because if god is on our side who can be against us.
Why is homosexuality an issue today when it was not some years back?
All the pastors prayed for Bahati.
A final prayer was made for homosexuals and it was stressed that the church is not for killing homosexuals but wanted to win them over.
Cultural leaders request legislators to pass gays Bill
By Sheila Naturinda
Posted Friday, April 30 2010 at 00:00
Cultural leaders in the country have, for the first time, spoken out on the contentious Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2009, urging the MPs to pass it in order to safeguard the country's values and traditions.
Under their umbrella body, 'Forum for Kings and Cultural Leaders in Uganda,' the custodians of culture expressed anger with the way western countries have put the government on pressure to throw out the Bill.
They said the MPs must be left to make laws consistent with Uganda's cultures and collective aspirations. They also asked the government to resist such 'outside' pressures and strive to protect the traditions of the country.
In a press statement issued yesterday, the leaders said: "We note with alarm how western governments and their agencies are aggressively pushing for the legitimisation of homosexuality which to us is not a human right, but a human vice."
Some foreign governments criticised Uganda over the proposed law among them the US President Barrack Obama who called it 'odious.' Sweden too threatened to cut aid to Uganda.
And in a recent UK publication, British authorities were reported to be in a process of banning the initiator of the Bill, Ndorwa East MP David Bahati, from visiting the UK if the Bill became law.
But in the statement signed by the Omukama Rukirabasaija Solomon Gafabusa of Bunyoro, the kings say homosexuality breaks the laws of nature, faith, the Constitution and the laws of culture and traditions.
"We call on the government to stand strong in the face of external forces of homosexual aggression and faith leaders should preach against it as musicians use their talents to protect children from the vice."
The kings' move, which comes amid debate on whether the government should own or disown the private member's Bill, currently before the parliamentary Legal Affairs Committee, will give Mr Bahati more morale for his fight against homosexuality.
Mr Bahati, in a phone interview yesterday, welcomed efforts of the traditional
leaders, saying "because at the end of the day, homosexuality is a danger to the culture that they are charged with protecting."
The Bill proposes punitive action against same sex marriages and life imprisonment for homosexuals.
Posted Friday, April 30 2010 at 00:00
Cultural leaders in the country have, for the first time, spoken out on the contentious Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2009, urging the MPs to pass it in order to safeguard the country's values and traditions.
Under their umbrella body, 'Forum for Kings and Cultural Leaders in Uganda,' the custodians of culture expressed anger with the way western countries have put the government on pressure to throw out the Bill.
They said the MPs must be left to make laws consistent with Uganda's cultures and collective aspirations. They also asked the government to resist such 'outside' pressures and strive to protect the traditions of the country.
In a press statement issued yesterday, the leaders said: "We note with alarm how western governments and their agencies are aggressively pushing for the legitimisation of homosexuality which to us is not a human right, but a human vice."
Some foreign governments criticised Uganda over the proposed law among them the US President Barrack Obama who called it 'odious.' Sweden too threatened to cut aid to Uganda.
And in a recent UK publication, British authorities were reported to be in a process of banning the initiator of the Bill, Ndorwa East MP David Bahati, from visiting the UK if the Bill became law.
But in the statement signed by the Omukama Rukirabasaija Solomon Gafabusa of Bunyoro, the kings say homosexuality breaks the laws of nature, faith, the Constitution and the laws of culture and traditions.
"We call on the government to stand strong in the face of external forces of homosexual aggression and faith leaders should preach against it as musicians use their talents to protect children from the vice."
The kings' move, which comes amid debate on whether the government should own or disown the private member's Bill, currently before the parliamentary Legal Affairs Committee, will give Mr Bahati more morale for his fight against homosexuality.
Mr Bahati, in a phone interview yesterday, welcomed efforts of the traditional
leaders, saying "because at the end of the day, homosexuality is a danger to the culture that they are charged with protecting."
The Bill proposes punitive action against same sex marriages and life imprisonment for homosexuals.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Prayer Event Will Not Promote Anti-Gay Hate in Uganda, Ministry Assures
A ministry that has drawn fire for its upcoming fasting and repentance event in Uganda released a statement Wednesday, setting the record straight on its stance on an anti-homosexuality bill.
Related
"TheCall has been wrongfully marked and vilified as an organization promoting hatred and violence against homosexuals and as one that supports the Uganda bill as currently written," said Lou Engle, who heads the Kansas City, Mo.-based organization.
"To the contrary, we have never made a private or a public statement of support for that bill."
TheCall is scheduled to hold its signature charismatic prayer and fasting gathering in Uganda on Sunday. But some believe the event will fuel homophobia in the East African country where a bill that would impose the death penalty on those convicted of "aggravated homosexuality" is pending.
Dr. Warren Throckmorton, associate professor of psychology at Grove City College in Pennsylvania, is concerned that the weekend event could have the same kind of impact that last year's conference on "Exposing the Truth behind Homosexuality and the Homosexual Agenda" had. The conference, which involved three American speakers, was criticized for pushing the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, which was introduced months later.
Sexual Minorities Uganda released a plea last week to keep TheCall from taking place.
"In the context of an already inflamed extremist religious movement against homosexuality in Uganda sparked off by American evangelicals, the inflammatory preaching of Lou Engle and his associates is likely to incite further violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) people in Uganda," the group stated.
On its website, TheCall Uganda urges corporate prayers and repentance as the country faces such challenges as "witchcraft, homosexuality and increased immorality," among others.
TheCall says it holds a biblical stance on matters of sexuality and upholds traditional marriage, but Engle clarified on Wednesday that promoting hatred toward the homosexual community was never their intent.
In fact, when TheCall was invited to go to Uganda to host an event where people would confess their personal and national sins and pray for a spiritual awakening, the ministry had no knowledge at the time of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, Engle said.
After being "thrust" into an international controversy, Engle offered some clarification and expressed opposition to the measure.
"Though we honor the courage and stand with the stated purpose of the many Church leaders in Uganda who are seeking to protect the traditional and biblical family foundations of the nation, we have serious concerns with the bill as presently written, especially in terms of some of the harsh penalties for certain homosexual behaviors or offenses," he stated.
"Though TheCall is not afraid to take a clear stand on biblical truth on matters of sexuality, we are deeply concerned that TheCall ministry would not wrongfully reflect the character of Christ, and we do not see the character of Christ reflected in some key aspects of the language of the current bill."
TheCall will still go on as planned in Uganda, he noted. However, the ministry will not promote the bill, he added.
"[W]e challenge the Church of Uganda to join with Christians around the world, to first examine our own moral failures, confess our own lack of love, and from that heart seek to establish true biblical standards, reflecting compassion for those struggling with same-sex attraction and equal justice for criminal offenses committed by heterosexuals or homosexuals," Engle stated.
Homosexuality is currently illegal in Uganda, but the Anti-Homosexuality Bill was introduced to strengthen the criminalization of the behavior. Those suspected of "aggravated homosexuality" and who are HIV-positive or engage in sexual acts with those under 18 years of age could face life imprisonment or the death penalty. The measure also imposes punishment on those who support gay organizations or who know about a homosexual and fail to report it to authorities.
http://www.christianpost.com/article/20100429/prayer-event-will-not-promote-anti-gay-hate-in-uganda-ministry-says/
Related
"TheCall has been wrongfully marked and vilified as an organization promoting hatred and violence against homosexuals and as one that supports the Uganda bill as currently written," said Lou Engle, who heads the Kansas City, Mo.-based organization.
"To the contrary, we have never made a private or a public statement of support for that bill."
TheCall is scheduled to hold its signature charismatic prayer and fasting gathering in Uganda on Sunday. But some believe the event will fuel homophobia in the East African country where a bill that would impose the death penalty on those convicted of "aggravated homosexuality" is pending.
Dr. Warren Throckmorton, associate professor of psychology at Grove City College in Pennsylvania, is concerned that the weekend event could have the same kind of impact that last year's conference on "Exposing the Truth behind Homosexuality and the Homosexual Agenda" had. The conference, which involved three American speakers, was criticized for pushing the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, which was introduced months later.
Sexual Minorities Uganda released a plea last week to keep TheCall from taking place.
"In the context of an already inflamed extremist religious movement against homosexuality in Uganda sparked off by American evangelicals, the inflammatory preaching of Lou Engle and his associates is likely to incite further violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) people in Uganda," the group stated.
On its website, TheCall Uganda urges corporate prayers and repentance as the country faces such challenges as "witchcraft, homosexuality and increased immorality," among others.
TheCall says it holds a biblical stance on matters of sexuality and upholds traditional marriage, but Engle clarified on Wednesday that promoting hatred toward the homosexual community was never their intent.
In fact, when TheCall was invited to go to Uganda to host an event where people would confess their personal and national sins and pray for a spiritual awakening, the ministry had no knowledge at the time of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, Engle said.
After being "thrust" into an international controversy, Engle offered some clarification and expressed opposition to the measure.
"Though we honor the courage and stand with the stated purpose of the many Church leaders in Uganda who are seeking to protect the traditional and biblical family foundations of the nation, we have serious concerns with the bill as presently written, especially in terms of some of the harsh penalties for certain homosexual behaviors or offenses," he stated.
"Though TheCall is not afraid to take a clear stand on biblical truth on matters of sexuality, we are deeply concerned that TheCall ministry would not wrongfully reflect the character of Christ, and we do not see the character of Christ reflected in some key aspects of the language of the current bill."
TheCall will still go on as planned in Uganda, he noted. However, the ministry will not promote the bill, he added.
"[W]e challenge the Church of Uganda to join with Christians around the world, to first examine our own moral failures, confess our own lack of love, and from that heart seek to establish true biblical standards, reflecting compassion for those struggling with same-sex attraction and equal justice for criminal offenses committed by heterosexuals or homosexuals," Engle stated.
Homosexuality is currently illegal in Uganda, but the Anti-Homosexuality Bill was introduced to strengthen the criminalization of the behavior. Those suspected of "aggravated homosexuality" and who are HIV-positive or engage in sexual acts with those under 18 years of age could face life imprisonment or the death penalty. The measure also imposes punishment on those who support gay organizations or who know about a homosexual and fail to report it to authorities.
http://www.christianpost.com/article/20100429/prayer-event-will-not-promote-anti-gay-hate-in-uganda-ministry-says/
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