A report from blogger Gay Uganda indicates that hearings on the Anti-Homosexuality Bill may be taking place now in a committee of Uganda’s Parliament.
Other sources tell me that the bill is certainly not dead, even with the unrest which has rocked the country over food prices. Gay Uganda believes the bill could be used as a distraction from the rioting. In any case, there is concern among GBLT advocates there that the bill could be scheduled for vote next week. If hearings are indeed taking place, then the Committee could fast track the bill to the floor on Monday or Tuesday. The Parliament is slated to end on May 11, with the Presidential inauguration on May 12.
16 thoughts on “Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Bill: Hearings may be happening now”
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Been alerted that it is listed on Parliament website http://bit.ly/jIUZSo
Trying to raise alarm, not hopeful (the MSM told everyone it’s done :{ … )
The words of the petition signed by Nigerian author Wole Soyinka, winner of The Nobel Prize in Literature 1986, calls the Ugandan Parliament and the Ugandan people to the high ground in this matter.
We wish to state emphatically that homosexuality is neither a sin nor a social or cultural construct. It is a biological given. Homosexuals are human beings like everybody else. Scientific research has been helpful in clearing the fog of ignorance entrenched by some religious texts in regards to homosexuality. Our opinions of homosexuality must change for the better just as our opinion of slavery has changed even though it was endorsed by those same religious texts. All violence against gays and people deemed to be gay in Africa must cease forthwith…
We also call on African governments to learn from the South African example by expunging from their laws all provisions that criminalize homosexuality or treat homosexuals as unworthy of the same rights and entitlements as other citizens. African states must protect the rights of their citizens to freedom and dignity. Homosexuals must not be denied these rights.
God bless Uganda.
Psychological Society of South Africa
The scientific fields devoted to mental health and well-being, including psychiatry, psychology and sociology, do not consider homosexual orientation to be a disorder, but rather view it as a naturally occurring variation of normal human sexuality. Research and clinical practice indicates that homosexual people have an overall potential to contribute to society similar to that of heterosexual people and that they pose no greater risk to children than do heterosexual people.
While the proposed bill cites “…the need to protect the children and youths of Uganda…” as justification, there is no credible, reliable evidence that the measures contained in the bill will achieve that outcome. Research and clinical practice instead indicates that the abuse of human rights and fundamental freedoms embodied in the bill, and the state sponsored discrimination and affronts to basic human dignity it mandates, would instead result in profound physical and psychological harms to the already vulnerable lesbian, gay and bisexual youth in the very population the legislation claims to protect.
On the grounds outlined in this statement, the Psychological Society of South Africa (PsySSA) therefore joins the international community in strongly opposing the proposed anti-homosexuality legislation. The PsySSA joins in the call for Ugandan leaders to abandon or defeat the bill, and instead to join the trend in the international community of decriminalising homosexuality.
The words of the petition signed by Nigerian author Wole Soyinka, winner of The Nobel Prize in Literature 1986, calls the Ugandan Parliament and the Ugandan people to the high ground in this matter.
We wish to state emphatically that homosexuality is neither a sin nor a social or cultural construct. It is a biological given. Homosexuals are human beings like everybody else. Scientific research has been helpful in clearing the fog of ignorance entrenched by some religious texts in regards to homosexuality. Our opinions of homosexuality must change for the better just as our opinion of slavery has changed even though it was endorsed by those same religious texts. All violence against gays and people deemed to be gay in Africa must cease forthwith…
We also call on African governments to learn from the South African example by expunging from their laws all provisions that criminalize homosexuality or treat homosexuals as unworthy of the same rights and entitlements as other citizens. African states must protect the rights of their citizens to freedom and dignity. Homosexuals must not be denied these rights.
God bless Uganda.
Psychological Society of South Africa
The scientific fields devoted to mental health and well-being, including psychiatry, psychology and sociology, do not consider homosexual orientation to be a disorder, but rather view it as a naturally occurring variation of normal human sexuality. Research and clinical practice indicates that homosexual people have an overall potential to contribute to society similar to that of heterosexual people and that they pose no greater risk to children than do heterosexual people.
While the proposed bill cites “…the need to protect the children and youths of Uganda…” as justification, there is no credible, reliable evidence that the measures contained in the bill will achieve that outcome. Research and clinical practice instead indicates that the abuse of human rights and fundamental freedoms embodied in the bill, and the state sponsored discrimination and affronts to basic human dignity it mandates, would instead result in profound physical and psychological harms to the already vulnerable lesbian, gay and bisexual youth in the very population the legislation claims to protect.
On the grounds outlined in this statement, the Psychological Society of South Africa (PsySSA) therefore joins the international community in strongly opposing the proposed anti-homosexuality legislation. The PsySSA joins in the call for Ugandan leaders to abandon or defeat the bill, and instead to join the trend in the international community of decriminalising homosexuality.
I knew that Benson’s name isn’t ‘Doodah’, but I though a little rudeness was entirely appropriate, given that Doodah wants his gay compatriots to dangle. (My impression is that he’s even more bloodthirsty than Bahitler.)
‘Maazi’
Saudi Arabia is not, as far as we know, planning a whole series of new provisions attacking its own citizens. If UG’s human rights performance worsens, there will be consequences.
The name of the MP seconding the bill is not “Benson Doodah”. The name is Benson Ogwal. Please take note of this when you are begging your foreign and commonwealth office to interfere in the internal affairs of Uganda.
That is very interesting. Let us see what your Prime minister can do about this
Its a no-brainer really. Good Relations with the west is not dependent on gayism. If it was dependent on gayism then Saudi Arabia King Abdullah will not have friendly relations with your government.
I knew that Benson’s name isn’t ‘Doodah’, but I though a little rudeness was entirely appropriate, given that Doodah wants his gay compatriots to dangle. (My impression is that he’s even more bloodthirsty than Bahitler.)
‘Maazi’
Saudi Arabia is not, as far as we know, planning a whole series of new provisions attacking its own citizens. If UG’s human rights performance worsens, there will be consequences.
The name of the MP seconding the bill is not “Benson Doodah”. The name is Benson Ogwal. Please take note of this when you are begging your foreign and commonwealth office to interfere in the internal affairs of Uganda.
That is very interesting. Let us see what your Prime minister can do about this
Its a no-brainer really. Good Relations with the west is not dependent on gayism. If it was dependent on gayism then Saudi Arabia King Abdullah will not have friendly relations with your government.
1. The matter on the order paper is to do with Bahati’s ‘pressure tactics’ over the attack on Besigye. HOWEVER, his seconder (Benson Doodah) is the same guy who was attached to Bahati’s rear over the Bill.
2. FCO has been informed, as has Karen McV. Word should be with Yvette Cooper MP very soon. Have also informed a contact in the EP.
The question is: what does M7 want? Good relations with the West, or Bahati and his tawdry hangers-on. Logically, the answer is a ‘no-brainer’, but …
Been alerted that it is listed on Parliament website http://bit.ly/jIUZSo
Trying to raise alarm, not hopeful (the MSM told everyone it’s done :{ … )
Have passed this on to my contacts. They were not aware of this report. They are now – and will investigate.
I suspect that dirty little Bahati made a fuss about Besigye’s arrest in order to pressure the Government into giving him the bloodbath he longs for.
1. The matter on the order paper is to do with Bahati’s ‘pressure tactics’ over the attack on Besigye. HOWEVER, his seconder (Benson Doodah) is the same guy who was attached to Bahati’s rear over the Bill.
2. FCO has been informed, as has Karen McV. Word should be with Yvette Cooper MP very soon. Have also informed a contact in the EP.
The question is: what does M7 want? Good relations with the West, or Bahati and his tawdry hangers-on. Logically, the answer is a ‘no-brainer’, but …
Have passed this on to my contacts. They were not aware of this report. They are now – and will investigate.
I suspect that dirty little Bahati made a fuss about Besigye’s arrest in order to pressure the Government into giving him the bloodbath he longs for.