UPDATE: Please read this update in addition to this post.
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According to the UG Pulse, the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs committee chair Stephen Tashobya told media today that the Anti-Homosexuality Bill will be the subject of public hearings and debated this session.
This is consistent with most of what Tashobya has told me previously. Only one occasion has Tashobya told me that there might not be time to consider the AHB. Here is the UG Pulse’s report:
The controversial Anti Homosexuality bill is one of several bills that Members of Parliament on the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs committee are set to debate when the House resumes business next week.
The bill, which has caused uproar from human rights activists and donors since it was tabled in Parliament in 2009, seeks to criminalize the act, with one of the controversial clauses calling for death penalty for those who are found guilty of aggravated homosexuality.
Speaking to the media at Parliament today, the committee chairman, Stephen Tashobya said though the bill has created both local and international concern, it is up to Parliament to pass the bill.
Tashobya says the committee will hold public hearings where stakeholders’ views will be heard and a report made to the House for debate and possible passing before Parliament closes the 8th Parliament.
Ndorwa West MP and mover of the bill, David Bahati welcomed the development and said he would continue to lobby Ugandans to support the bill, whose intention is to protect the Ugandan traditional family and children.
Previous posts citing Tashobya:
Uganda: Committee Chair describes Anti-Homosexuality Bill timetable – December 17, 2010
Reporters say anti-gay bill has been shelved – Ugandan politicians disagree – Jan 10, 2011
Committee chair says Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill may not be considered – March 3, 2011
Uganda’s Parliament back in session March 22. Will Anti-gay bill be debated? – March 10, 2011