So say Buzzfeed and Chimpreports.
According to the Chimpreport, it appears Museveni gave no weight to outside experts and relied instead on a group of physicians and physicians he recruited. Museveni had access to the recent genetics study and had numerous experts available but ignored these resources.
I would very much like to get a look at the report which Museveni had the professors sign.
The press release regarding the committee charged with advising Museveni is here.
PRESS RELEASEPRESENTATION BY A TEAM OF SCIENTISTS FROM MOH ANDMAKERERE UNIVERSITY ON HOMOSEXUALITY ANDGENETICS IN HUMANSA Ministerial Committee comprising of scientists from MOHand Makerere University was set up to studyhomosexuality and genetics in human beings and advisethe President and the NRM Caucus on the subject ofhomosexuality. The committee comprised of;Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng – Director General of Health Services-Dr. Isaac Ezati- Director Planning and Development at MOH-Dr. Jacinto Amandua – Commissioner Clinical Services-Dr. Sheila Ndyanabangi – Head, Mental Health Desk-Prof. Seggane Musisi – Professor of Psychiatry atMakerere-Assoc. Prof. Eugene Kinyanda – Senior Research Scientist, Medical Research Council-Dr. David Basangwa – Director, Butabika Hospital-Dr. Sylvester Onzivua – Senior Pathologist, Mulago Hospital-Dr. Misaki Wayengera – Geneticist, Makerere-Dr. Paul Bangirana – Clinical Psychologist, Makerere
Prof. Wilson Byarugaba – Rtd. Professor and formerHead of Human and Molecular Genetics, Dept of Pathology, MakerereTwo medical Parliamentarians names; Dr. ChrisBaryomunsi and Dr. Medard Bitekerezo also presented areport whose findings and conclusions concurred with thatof the Ministerial Committee. The following were their observations;1. There is no definitive gene responsible forhomosexuality.2. Homosexuality is not a disease but merely anabnormal behavior which may be learned throughexperiences in life.3.In every society, there is a small number of people with homosexuality tendencies.4.Homosexuality can be influenced by environmentalfactors e.g. culture, religion and peer pressure among others.5. The practice needs regulation like any other humanbehavior especially to protect the vulnerable.6. There is need for further studies to address sexuality in the African context.Presidential Advisor on Science Dr. Richard Tushemereirwe stated that homosexuality has serious Public Health consequences and should therefore not be tolerated.H.E. the President then made it clear that his work was done and that all he needed was for the Scientists to sign the paper they presented since it would be a historical document forming basis for the signing of the Bill.H.E. also declared that he would sign the Bill since the question of whether one can be born a homosexual or not had been answered. The President emphasized that
Promoters, exhibitionists and those who practice homosexuality for Mercenary reasons will not be tolerated and will therefore be dealt with harshly.Hon. Anite Evelyn NRM Caucus Spokes person
UPDATE (2/16/14): President Obama weighs in to criticize Museveni’s intentions.
