Please know that I will not comment on this bill as homosexuality or gender issues is not in our mission or our goals.

Ms. Mackenzie: With all due respect, this is not a “homosexuality” or “gender” issue. It’s a human rights issue. And respect for human rights ought to part of every organization’s mission.

I agree with you, however, that

ALL humans whatever their identify or beliefs [should] have their humanity and their heart protected, respected, valued, cherished, connected and loved well.

That is why it is so important that individuals and organizations speak out against this Bill.

You can’t have your humanity and heart protected if you’re dead or in a jail cell.

Please know that I will not comment on this bill as homosexuality or gender issues is not in our mission or our goals.

What IS our mission is to teach the science of healthy relationships so that ALL humans whatever their identify or beliefs are have their humanity and their heart protected, respected, valued, cherished, connected and loved well.

Martin Ssempra is associated with WAIT Training because he speaks to young people in Kampala, Uganda about issues of loving relationships and the prevention of HIV / AIDS.

WAIT Training or any of our staff, board members or principals do not endorse or oppose any of his writings, speeches or opinions.

What Martin Ssempra does says, opines, writes belongs to Martin Ssempra alone.

And for the record, WAIT Training is a secular, public non profit community based organization.

V. Fundamental and other human rights and freedoms.
This is to ensure that the State guarantees respect for institutions charged with the duty of protecting and promoting human rights and the independence of nongovernmental organisations which protect and promote human rights.

Seems like section 13 of the proposed bill (see: Box Turtle Bulletin – or – this BTB PDF – 847Kb) may be unconstitutional.
.
The right to privacy actually exists in the Ugandan constitution:

7. Right to privacy. (Article 27)
No person shall be subjected to unlawful search of the body, home or other property or to unlawful entry of his or her premises.

And the bill likely fails here also:

9. Right to freedom of assembly and association. (Article 29)
Every person has a right to—
(a) freedom of assembly and to demonstrate together with others peacefully and unarmed and to petition;
(b) freedom of association which includes the freedom to form and join associations or unions like trade unions or other political and public organisations.

10. Freedom of speech and expression. (Article 29(1) (a))
Every person has a right to freedom of expression and this includes freedom of the press and other media.

11. Freedom of conscience and religion. (Article 29(1) (b))
A person is free to practise any religion and to belong to any religious organisation, freedom of thought, conscience and belief, and academic freedom in institutions of learning, in a manner consistent with the Constitution.

Certainly, homosexuality is an expression of one’s conscience, thus totally protected by the constitution.

There are also provisions for those with disabilities. If the ideas spoken of at the Kampala conference are to be believed, then gay people could claim a disability which would make the law out to be completely unconstitutional (except for the pedophile part). There is even these rights:

19. Rights of minorities. (Article 36)

Minorities have a right to participate in decision-making processes and their views and interests shall be taken into consideration in the making of national plans and programmes.

20. Right to culture and similar rights. (Article 37)
A person has a right to belong to, enjoy, practise, profess, maintain and promote any culture, cultural institution, language, tradition, creed or religion in community with others.
Gay culture…. why not? And this:

21. Civic rights and activities. (Article 38)
(1) Every Ugandan citizen has a right to participate in the affairs of Government, individually or through his or her representatives according to the law.
(2) Every Ugandan has a right to participate in peaceful activities to influence the policies of Government through civic organisations.

How can they make a peaceful gay lobby illegal?
Even more:

28. Restriction on fundamental and other human rights and freedoms. (Articles 43
and 44)
(1) In the enjoyment of the rights and freedoms no persons shall violate the fundamental or other human rights and freedoms of others or the public interest.
(2) The right to freedom from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, freedom from slavery, fair hearing and the right to an order requiring a person who has custody of another to produce the person in a court of law, shall not be interfered with.

29. Human rights and freedoms additional to other rights. (Article 45)
The rights and duties relating to fundamental and other human rights and freedoms specifically mentioned in the Constitution shall not be considered as excluding others not specifically mentioned.

Like the right to love?

And a Ugandan Human Rights Commission. I know I am being simplistic. Anything deemed illegal need not be deemed a right. But there are things intrinsic to the human condition such as the need for intimacy and expessions of love which cannot be legislated against. Well… it’s late, or early, depending on your time zone….