In recent days, concern about David Bahati’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill has surfaced within Uganda. For instance, Keith Muhakanizi, the deputy secretary to the Treasury, acknowledged recently that the anti-gay bill has hurt Uganda’s economy. According to a news report, Muhakanizi told MPs at Parliament: “I have never seen a country like this where politicians hurt the economy instead of building it.”
One MP, Fox Odoi, a member of Parliament’s committee on Legal Affairs has come out against the bill. According to the report,
Odoi, who has written a minority report bashing the bill, added that if lawmakers ignore his report and pass the bill, they will have set a wrong precedent–that government can enter or legislate what happens in your bedroom.
Odoi’s report can be read here and urges that Parliament scrap the entire bill. While one may debate some of Odoi’s conclusions, she points to child protection proposals that are more in line with what proponents of the anti-gay bill say they want while at the same time pointing out that the anti-gay bill infringes on individual rights and does nothing to protect children.
As opposition surfaces, the anti-gay bill moves closer to a vote. This morning the bill is listed on the agenda as the first bill to be considered after today’s business and three additional reports to Parliament.
NOTICE OF BUSINESS TO FOLLOW
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PETITION OF THE PEOPLE OF BULEGENI TOWN COUNCIL IN BULAMBULI DISTRICT
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REPORT ON THE STATUS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES
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REPORT OF THE ADHOC COMMITTEE INVESTIGATING THE ELECTRICITY SUB SECTOR
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THE ANTI-HOMOSEXUALITY BILL, 2009
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MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE BILL, 2009
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THE PUBLIC ORDER AND MANAGEMENT BILL, 2011
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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTS ON THE REPORT OF THE AUDITOR GENERAL FOR THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 2009
Meanwhile in Livelyland: http://www.scottlively.net/2012/12/30/top-10-heroes-of-the-pro-family-movement-in-2012/
I almost have a sneaking admiration for this man’s gall. Noone can say that he doesn’t ‘stick his head above the parapet’!
I wonder he’s making of the Bahati Follies these days. He has gone rather quiet on that front (perhaps I should take back my ‘almost compliment’ above?!).
The Order Paper may ‘tell a story’: today the Bill was ahead of the POMB 2011; yesterday it was behind it. Perhaps, this time, there is a real determination to decide one way or the other. But then we’ve seen this sort of thing before.
Kadaga shifting the focus maybe?
http://www.parliament.go.ug/new/index.php/about-parliament/parliamentary-news/160-speaker-kadaga-calls-for-firm-action-against-abuse-of-women-and-children
If she is, I for one applaud it! This would be a sensible move for both her and UG; that toxic bill does nothing to protect children.
The order of ‘business to follow’ seems to have changed again: the POMB 2011 is back in front of the Bahati Bill and the Marriage Bill 2011 appears to have ‘leapfrogged’ the same. Perhaps this could give time for sober reflection on the minority report? The best outcome would be for the Bahati Bill to be defeated by a vote – a solution that would be ‘for Uganda’, and ‘made in Uganda’.
Kadaga shifting the focus maybe?
http://www.parliament.go.ug/new/index.php/about-parliament/parliamentary-news/160-speaker-kadaga-calls-for-firm-action-against-abuse-of-women-and-children
If she is, I for one applaud it! This would be a sensible move for both her and UG; that toxic bill does nothing to protect children.
The order of ‘business to follow’ seems to have changed again: the POMB 2011 is back in front of the Bahati Bill and the Marriage Bill 2011 appears to have ‘leapfrogged’ the same. Perhaps this could give time for sober reflection on the minority report? The best outcome would be for the Bahati Bill to be defeated by a vote – a solution that would be ‘for Uganda’, and ‘made in Uganda’.
Meanwhile in Livelyland: http://www.scottlively.net/2012/12/30/top-10-heroes-of-the-pro-family-movement-in-2012/
I almost have a sneaking admiration for this man’s gall. Noone can say that he doesn’t ‘stick his head above the parapet’!
I wonder he’s making of the Bahati Follies these days. He has gone rather quiet on that front (perhaps I should take back my ‘almost compliment’ above?!).
The Order Paper may ‘tell a story’: today the Bill was ahead of the POMB 2011; yesterday it was behind it. Perhaps, this time, there is a real determination to decide one way or the other. But then we’ve seen this sort of thing before.