PRESIDENT MUSEVENI SPEECH ON SIGNING THE ANTI-HOMOSEXUALITY ACT

President Museveni today assented to the anti-homosexuality bill, making it a law amidst debate and controversies from Western powers and Human rights activists. The President stressed that despite US president barrack Obama getting disappointed with the signing of this bill, We (Ugandans) have also been disappointed for a very long time too by the policies of the west that do not make us "happy". He then went ahead to stress that Uganda is a rich country that does not need aid, because aid is in itself a problem. This all happened this afternoon at state house Entebbe. Read the full address of the President below: It seems the topic of homosexuals was provoked by the arrogant and careless Western groups that are fond of coming into our schools and recruiting young children into homosexuality and lesbianism, just as they carelessly handle other issues concerning Africa. Initially, I did not pay much attention to it because I was busy with the immediate issues of defense, security, electricity, the roads, the railways, factories, modernization of agriculture, etc. When, eventually, I concentrated my mind on it, I distilled three problems: 1. those who were promoting homo-sexuality and recruiting normal people into it; 2. as a consequence of No. 1 above, many of those recruited were doing so for mercenary reasons – to get money – in effect homosexual prostitutes; these mercenary homosexual prostitutes had to be punished; 3. Homosexuals exhibiting themselves; Africans are flabbergasted by exhibitionism of sexual acts – whether heterosexual or otherwise and for good reason. Why do you exhibit your sexual conduct? Are you short of opportunity for privacy - where you can kiss, fondle (kukirigiita, kwagaaga) etc.? Are we interested in seeing your sexual acts – we the Public? I am not able to understand the logic of the Western Culture. However, we Africans always keep our opinions to ourselves and never seek to impose our point of view on the others. If only they could let us alone. It was my view that the above three should be punished harshly in order to defend our society from disorientation. Therefore, on these three I was in total accord with the MPs and other Ugandans. I had, however, a problem with Category 4 or what I thought was category 4 – those “born” homosexual. I thought there were such people – those who are either genetic or congenital homosexuals. The reason I thought so was because I could not understand why a man could fail to be attracted to the beauties of a woman and, instead, be attracted to a fellow man. It meant, according to me, that there was something wrong with that man – he was born a homosexual – abnormal. I, therefore, thought that it would be wrong to punish somebody because of how he was created, disgusting though it may be to us. That is why I refused to sign the Bill. In order to get to the truth, we involved Uganda Scientists as well as consulting Scientists from outside Uganda. My question to them was: “Are there people that are homosexual right from birth?”. After exhaustive studies, it has been found that homosexuality is in two categories: there are those who engage in homosexuality for mercenary reasons on account of the under – developed sectors of our economy that cause people to remain in poverty, the great opportunities that abound not withstanding; and then there are those that become homosexual by both nature (genetic) and nurture (up-bringing). The studies that were done on identical twins in Sweden showed that 34% - 39% were homosexual on account of nature and 66% were homosexual on account of nurture. Therefore, even in those studies, nurture was more significant than nature. Can somebody be homosexual purely by nature without nurture? The answer is: “No”. No study has shown that. Since nurture is the main cause of homosexuality, then society can do something about it to discourage the trends. That is why I have agreed to sign the Bill.

THE ANTI-HOMOSEXUALITY ACT, 2014

THE ANTI-HOMOSEXUALITY ACT, 2014. ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS. PART I—PRELIMINARY. Section 1. Interpretation. PART II—PROHIBITION OF HOMOSEXUALITY. 1. 2. The offence of homosexuality. 2. 3. Aggravated homosexuality. 3. 4. Attempt to commit homosexuality. 4. 5. Protection, assistance and payment of compensation to victims of homosexuality. 5. 6. Confidentiality. PART III—RELATED OFFENCES AND PENALTIES. 1. 7. Aiding and abetting homosexuality. 2. 8. Conspiracy to engage in homosexuality. 3. 9. Procuring homosexuality by threats, etc. 4. 10. Detention with intent to commit homosexuality. 5. 11. Brothels. 6. 12. Same sex marriage. 7. 13. Promotion of homosexuality. PART IV—MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS. 1. 14. Extradition. 2. 15. Regulations. Schedule Currency point. 1 THE ANTI-HOMOSEXUALITY ACT, 2014. An Act to prohibit any form of sexual relations between persons of the same sex; prohibit the promotion or recognition of such relations and to provide for other related matters. DATE OF ASSENT: Date of Commencement: BE IT ENACTED by Parliament as follows: PART I—PRELIMINARY. 1. Interpretation. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires— “authority” means having power and control over other people because of your knowledge and official position; and shall include a person who exercises religious, political, economic or social authority; “child” means a person below the age of eighteen years; “court” means a chief magistrates court; “currency point” has the value assigned to it in the Schedule to this Act; 3 “disability” means a substantial limitation of daily life activities caused by physical, mental or sensory impairment and environment barriers resulting in limited participation; “felony” means an offence which is declared by law to be a felony or if not declared to be a misdemeanor is punishable without proof of previous conviction, with death or with imprisonment for three years or more; “HIV” means the Human Immunodeficiency Virus; "homosexual’’ means a person who engages or attempts to engage in same gender sexual activity; “homosexuality” means same gender or same sex sexual acts; “Minister’’ means the Minister responsible for ethics and integrity; “misdemeanor” means any offence which is not a felony; “serial offender” means a person who has previous convictions of the offence of homosexuality or related offences; “sexual act” includes— .(a) physical sexual activity that does not necessarily culminate in intercourse and may include the touching of another’s breast, vagina, penis or anus; .(b) stimulation or penetration of a vagina or mouth or anus or any part of the body of any person, however slight by a sexual organ; .(c) the unlawful use of any object or organ by a person on another person’s sexual organ or anus or mouth; “sexual organ’’ means a vagina, penis or any artificial sexual contraption; “touching” includes touching— 4 .(a) with any part of the body; .(b) with anything else; .(c) through anything; and in particular includes touching amounting to penetration of any sexual organ, anus or mouth. “victim” includes a person who is involved in homosexual activities against his or her will. PART II—HOMOSEXUALITY AND RELATED PRACTICES. 2. The offence of homosexuality. .(1) A person commits the offence of homosexuality if— .(a) he penetrates the anus or mouth of another person of the same sex with his penis or any other sexual contraption; .(b) he or she uses any object or sexual contraption to penetrate or stimulate sexual organ of a person of the same sex; .(c) he or she touches another person with the intention of committing the act of homosexuality. (2) A person who commits an offence under this section shall be liable, on conviction, to imprisonment for life. 3. Aggravated homosexuality. .(1) A person commits the offence of aggravated homosexuality where the— .(a) person against whom the offence is committed is below the age of eighteen years; .(b) offender is a person living with HIV; 5 .(c) offender is a parent or guardian of the person against whom the offence is committed; .(d) offender is a person in authority over the person against whom the offence is committed; .(e) victim of the offence is a person with disability; .(f) offender is a serial offender; or .(g) offender applies, administers or causes to be used by any man or woman any drug, matter or thing with intent to stupefy or overpower him or her so as to enable any person to have unlawful carnal connection with any person of the same sex. .(2) A person who commits the offence of aggravated homosexuality shall be liable, on conviction, to imprisonment for life. .(3) Where a person is charged with the offence under this section, that person shall undergo a medical examination to ascertain his or her HIV status. 4. Attempt to commit homosexuality. .(1) A person who attempts to commit the offence of homosexuality commits a felony and is liable, on conviction, to imprisonment for seven years. .(2) A person who attempts to commit the offence of aggravated homosexuality commits an offense and is liable, on conviction, to imprisonment for life. 5. Protection, assistance and payment of compensation to victims of homosexuality. .(1) A victim of homosexuality shall not be penalized for anycrime committed as a direct result of his or her involvement in homosexuality. .(2) A victim of homosexuality shall be assisted to enable his orher views and concerns to be presented and considered at the appropriate stages of the criminal proceedings. .(3) Where a person is convicted of homosexuality or aggravatedhomosexuality under sections 2 and 3 of this Act, the court may, in addition to any sentence imposed on the offender, order that the victim of the offence be paid compensation by the offender for any physical, sexual or psychological harm caused to the victim by the offence. .(4) The amount of compensation shall be determined by thecourt and the court shall take into account the extent of harm suffered by the victim of the offence, the degree of force used by the offender and medical and other expenses incurred by the victim as a result of the offence. 6. Confidentiality. .(1) At any stage of the investigation or trial of an offence under this Act, law enforcement officer, prosecutor, judicial officer and medical practitioner, and any party to the case, shall recognize the right to privacy of the victim. .(2) For the purpose of subsection (1), in cases involving childrenand other cases where the court considers it appropriate, proceedings of the court shall be conducted in camera. .(3) Any editor, publisher, reporter or columnist in case of printed materials, announcer or producer in case of television and radio, producer or director of a film in case of the movie industry, or any person utilizing trimedia facilities or information technology who publishes or causes the publicity of the names and personal circumstances or any other information tending to establish the victim’s identity without authority of the victim or court, commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding two hundred and fifty currency points. 7 PART III—RELATED OFFENCES AND PENALTIES. 7. Aiding and abetting homosexuality. A person who aids, abets, counsels or procures another to engage in acts of homosexuality commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to imprisonment for seven years. 8. Conspiracy to engage in homosexuality. A person who conspires with another to induce another person of the same sex by any means of false pretence or other fraudulent means to permit any person of the same sex to have unlawful carnal knowledge of him or her commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to imprisonment for seven years. 9. Procuring homosexuality by threats. .(1) A person who— .(a) by threats or intimidation procures or attempts to procure any woman or man to have any unlawful carnal knowledge with any person of the same sex; or .(b) by false pretences or false representations procures any woman or man to have any unlawful carnal connection with any person of the same sex; commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for seven years (2) A person shall not be convicted of an offence under this section upon the evidence of one witness only, unless that witness is corroborated in some material particular by evidence implicating the accused. 10. Detention with intent to commit homosexuality. A person who detains another person with the intention to commit acts of homosexuality with him or her or with any other person commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to imprisonment for seven years. 11. Brothels. .(1) A person who keeps a house, room, set of rooms or place ofany kind for purposes of homosexuality commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to imprisonment for seven years. .(2) A person being the owner or occupier of premises or having oracting or assisting in the management or control of the premises, induces or knowingly suffers any man or woman to resort to or be upon such premises for the purpose of being unlawfully and carnally known by any man or woman of the same sex whether such carnal knowledge is intended to be with any particular man or woman generally, commits a felony and is liable, on conviction, to imprisonment for five years. 12. Same sex marriage. .(1) A person who purports to contract a marriage with anotherperson of the same sex commits the offence of homosexuality and shall be liable, on conviction, to imprisonment for life. .(2) A person or institution commits an offence if that person or institution conducts a marriage ceremony between persons of the same sex and shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a maximum of seven years for individuals or cancellation of licence for an institution. 13. Promotion of homosexuality. .(1) A person who— .(a) participates in production, procuring, marketing, broadcasting, disseminating, publishing of pornographic materials for purposes of promoting homosexuality; .(b) funds or sponsors homosexuality or other related activities; .(c) offers premises and other related fixed or movable assets for purposes of homosexuality or promoting homosexuality; .(d) uses electronic devices which include internet, films, mobile phones for purposes of homosexuality or promoting homosexuality; or .(e) who acts as an accomplice or attempts to promote or in any way abets homosexuality and related practices; commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to a fine of five thousand currency points or imprisonment of a minimum of five years and a maximum of seven years or both fine and imprisonment. (2) Where the offender is a corporate body or a business or an association or a non-governmental organization, on conviction its certificate of registration shall be cancelled and the director, proprietor or promoter shall be liable, on conviction, to imprisonment for seven years. PART IV—MISCELLANEOUS. 14. Extradition. A person charged with an offense under this Act shall be liable to extradition under the existing extradition laws. 15. Regulations. The Minister may, by statutory instrument, make regulations generally for better carrying out the provisions of this Act. SCHEDULE s.1. CURRENCY POINT One currency point is equivalent to twenty thousand shillings.

Briefing about the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2014 (Darkeness on 24th February in Uganda's History)

As an organization that has relentlessly fought against this bill, we have done everything on ground possible in our means, its very disheartening and sad that the Ugandan leader and the entire country is celebrating the signing into law of this heinous law, backward and barbaric. The choices are limited for all the LGBTI community and our partners but nevertheless we never never loose the HOPE that brought us in this world the way we are. God is our provider and protector. - ED - Beproud Coalition Uganda

Ugandan MPs Have today 20th Dec 2013 passed the Anti-homosexual Bill law

BeProud Coalition is saddened by the passing  of this evil and draconian bill, as an LGBTI organization we feel like the end of the world, but we pray that the good lord keeps us alive and we shall not relent on fighting this bill come rain and sunshine. For God and My Country. ---- BeProud Coalition Uganda Team.

Here is the full story as reported by BBCNEWS. 

Uganda's parliament has passed a bill to toughen the punishment for homosexual acts to include life imprisonment for repeat offenders.

The anti-homosexuality bill also makes it a crime punishable by a prison sentence not to report gay people.
The prime minister opposed the vote, saying not enough MPs were present.
The bill has been condemned by world leaders since it was mooted in 2009 - US President Barack Obama called it "odious".
The BBC's Catherine Byaruhanga in Kampala says the government knows there will be an international outcry, which could see some countries suspend aid to the country.
She says that Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi might follow up on his complaints about a lack of quorum, while it remains to be seen whether President Yoweri Museveni will sign the bill into law.
The private member's bill originally proposed the death penalty for some offences, such as if a minor was involved or the perpetrator was HIV-positive, but this has been dropped.
The bill bans the promotion of homosexuality.
"I am officially illegal," Ugandan gay activist Frank Mugisha said after the vote.
Human rights activists say the bill highlights the intolerance and discrimination the gay community faces in Ugandahttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-25463942

Teachers to lose jobs over concealing homosexuality

y AL-MAHDI SSENKABIRWA

Posted  Thursday, November 28  2013 at  02:00

SHARE THIS STORY

KAMPALA- School administrators who conceal information about immoral acts of homosexuality and lesbianism in schools risk losing their jobs, according to new guidelines.

This will be effected in a revised implementation of the government’s revised Teaching Service Regulations and Teachers’ Professional Code of Conduct.

According to the amended Code of Conduct, such immorality will be regarded as acts of misconduct which will earn a teacher dismissal or retirement in public interest.

“Such acts have been happening in education institutions but we had no legal instrument holding perpetrators accountable. But with the new regulations, we can now impose sanctions against any culprit,” said Mr Mathew Okot-Garimoi, the deputy chairperson Uganda Education Service Commission.

Mr Okot-Garimoi was speaking at the launch of the Teaching Service Regulations 2012 and Teachers’ Professional Code of Conduct, 2012 in Kampala on Tuesday. Both regulations replace those of 1994 and 1996 respectively. Homosexuality is a crime under Uganda’s laws.

However, the vice is reportedly spreading, especially in institutions of learning.

http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Teachers-to-lose-jobs-over-concealing-homosexuality/-/688334/2090936/-/axtmof/-/index.html

Uganda Police arrest leading gay activist and two friends

Charges against Ganafa are unknown. But there are rumors an alleged ex-lover claimed he contracted HIV after gay sex with him.

Well-known Ugandan gay activist Sam Ganafa and two of his friends have been arrested and detained by police.
Ganafa is director of Spectrum Uganda Initiatives and chair of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), two leading LGBTI organizations.
It is not clear if the claims are true or have been fabricated – either way, they are likely to cause Ganafa problems in a country where rumors spread quickly, particularly when related to gay sex.
LGBTI website 76crimes claims he was arrested after reporting to Kasangati police station in the south of the country. He had gone there at the request of the district police commander.
Police also searched his home and took two of his guests back with them.
GSN has not yet been able to identify these two, but it is thought they are also associated with the LGBTI rights movement in the country.
Ganafa’s home as been used as the Spectrum Uganda office and a shelter for homeless gay, bi and trans people.
Ganafa is expected to appear in court today (13 November) and may face an immediate trial as police are apparently pressing for the case to be dealt with swiftly.
His court appearance will be the first time his supporters will hear what he is charged with.
http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/uganda-cops-arrest-leading-gay-activist-and-two-friends131113

British man in Uganda 'terrified' ahead of gay sex trial

A retired British man in Uganda facing trial after police found images of him having sex with another man said he is terrified, as he faces a possible two-year sentence.

Bernard Randall, 65, pleaded not guilty last month in a Ugandan court to charges of "trafficking obscene publications", after his laptop was stolen and films on the computer were handed to a Ugandan tabloid newspaper that specialises in sordid sex and celebrity stories.
"It was private images on a private computer," Randall said, describing his horror at seeing personal photographs printed in the newspaper.
"If any trafficking was done, it was by the robbers who took the laptop, and the newspaper for printing them."
Randall was charged along with a Ugandan, who has also denied far more serious accusations of carrying out "acts of gross indecency", which could see him jailed for up to seven years if found guilty.
Homosexuality is a crime in Uganda, and gay rights activists say they regularly face death threats.
"I was terrified.... I've put padlocks on the windows, checked all the locks on the doors," Randall said, adding he had feared vigilante gangs might seek to attack him.
In 2011, Ugandan gay rights activist David Kato was bludgeoned to death at his home outside Kampala, drawing worldwide condemnation.
Kato's death came after a newspaper in the Ugandan capital published a picture of him in the same issue as a headline demanding that homosexuals be hanged. Situation 'breaks my heart' Randall
British gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell has also sent messages of support.
Randall, a former computer systems expert in the finance industry who comes from Kent in southeast England, first came to Uganda in 2011, shortly after his wife died just short of their 40-year wedding anniversary.
Randall only came out as a homosexual after his wife's death.
He returned on holiday to Uganda in September, but days after he arrived, robbers broke into where he was staying in the lakeshore town of Entebbe, near the capital Kampala, stealing cash, mobile telephones and his computer.
The robbers passed images on the laptop to the newspaper, later prompting police to arrest Randall, including taking him for a medical examination to "check" his homosexuality.
Randall, who has two grown-up daughters, said he came on holiday to enjoy Uganda during the cold winter months in Britain.
"Uganda is a wonderful country," he said. "The situation I face breaks my heart."
Uganda has repeatedly cracked down on gay activists, and proposed legislation -- stalled but still awaiting hearing before parliament -- would see the death penalty imposed for certain homosexual acts if passed.
Although legislators have said the bill could be changed, in its current form, anyone caught engaging in homosexual acts for the second time, or engaging in gay sex where one partner is a minor or has HIV, would be sentenced to death.
In January, Uganda dropped charges against British theatre producer David Cecil, who was arrested after being accused of staging a play about gay people in the country without proper authorisation.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iQ3QkFmk91uqZ4KUU1KACLik6aUw?docId=bc0daba0-6884-42ad-b000-b89f36e37e23

British national charged over homosexuality in Uganda

Entebbe

A British national has been charged with using money to lure youth into homosexuality.
Mr Bernard Randell, a retired banker, appeared before the Entebbe Magistrates Court yesterday where he admitted to engaging in homosexuality but only in the UK. His co-accused, Mr Albert Chepeoyek, with whom he lives in Katabi village, Entebbe Municipality, however, denied the charges that included committing acts of gross indecency and trafficking obscene materials.

State prosecutor Ivan Kyazze told court that the duo performed homosexual acts on Mr Eric Bugembe, a special hire driver, in September in exchange for money. “Medical tests were carried out on the two suspects and confirmed that they were engaging in homosexual acts,” Mr Kyazze told court the packed court.

According to detectives who have been following the case, Mr Randell reported Mr Wasswa to Entebbe Police Post after he allegedly stole his laptop. However, when the special hire driver was interrogated, he revealed how he had been forced to grab the laptop after Mr Randell failed to pay him despite luring him into homosexual acts.

Man given bail
The lawyer of the accused, Ms Annette Adamia, asked court to grant them bail as investigations into the case continue. Despite protests from the prosecutor that the suspects could lure more people into the practice, magistrate Hellen Ajio went ahead and granted them bail of Shs1.5 million each while their sureties were bonded at Shs500,000.

They are expected back in court on November 15. Mr Abdullah Ndere, the manager Uganda Tours and Travel and Mr Wilfred Kirumira,40, stood surety for Mr Randell while Mr Norman Mugisha and Ms Aisha Nabukeera stood surety for Mr Chepeoyek.

The magistrate also cautioned the suspects against engaging in acts that corrupt morals while on bail.
Same-sex relationships are currently illegal in Uganda—as they are in many sub-Saharan African countries—punishable by incarceration in prison for up to 14 years.

In Uganda, the Anti-Homosexuality Bill tabled in Parliament souhtto introduce a death penalty for people who are considered serial offenders, are suspected of “aggravated homosexuality” and are HIV-positive, or who engage in sexual acts with those under 18 years of age.

The Bill received significant criticism from many Western governments some of whom threatened to cut off financial aid to Uganda. The bill has since been shelved.
http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/British-national-charged-over-homosexuality/-/688334/2044578/-/15mutnv/-/index.html

Kadaga Blasts Canadian Minister Over Homosexuality

Parliament Speaker Rebecca Kadaga on Monday defended the country’s stance on homosexuality, saying Uganda would not accept being bulldozed to permit this sexual orientation. 

Drama started unfolding when Canada Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird abandoned host-country niceties Monday as he leveled a blistering attack against the human rights records of Iran, Syria and Uganda before some 1,400 international parliamentarians gathered for the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Quebec.

Iranian and Ugandan delegates at the IPU assembly, including the African nation’s Speaker of Parliament, protested Baird’s remarks, accusing the minister of meddling in their sovereign affairs at a collegial forum.

Even though the Conservative government has cut off diplomatic relations with Iran and Syria in particular, it could do little to stop the presence of legislators from those countries at the 127th conference of the IPU, which Canada is hosting this year.

Metro News is reporting Baird embraced that bit of awkwardness, seizing on the IPU assembly’s theme this year: respect for diversity.

The IPU’s mandate includes the promotion of human rights and democracy, but its members still include nations such as North Korea and Cuba.

“Sadly, there are forces of evil in this world that use our differences as weapons of hate, weapons of hate that marginalize minorities,” Baird said.

“This is where we as free societies, I believe, have a tremendously important role to play.”

Baird encouraged the legislators to tell their respective parliaments to support Canada’s United Nations resolution each year condemning Iran’s human rights record. He cited examples of violence against religious minorities.

“There’s a great principle at stake. While Canada prizes engagement and open relations, there can be no engagement with a regime that dishonours its word, repudiates its commitments and threatens to perpetuate crimes against humanity,” Baird said of Iran.

“This regime stands for everything we parliamentarians should stand against.”

Baird also took on the Ugandan government again for its treatment of gays and lesbians. He mentioned the case of a young activist who was recently beaten to death.

The criticism didn’t sit well with the speaker of the Ugandan Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, who asked for the opportunity to respond. She spoke of Baird’s “arrogance” and “ignorance” and demanded an apology.

“If homosexuality is a value for the Canadian people, that’s not a problem for us, that’s it’s issue, but one shouldn’t force Ugandans to accept homosexuality because we’re not Canadian citizens,” Kadaga said to applause from the floor.

 “We have our problems, they have theirs.”

The Uganda Parliament is debating a proposed legislation that seeks tough penalties for aggravated homosexual convicts.

Ndorwa West MP David Bahati says his private members’ bill seeks to safeguard the country’s moral fabric, the traditional family setting and humanity from extinction.

However, the legislator has since come under fire from pro-gay activists who claim the Bill will violate the human rights of homosexuals.

The small Iranian delegation held up the sign bearing their country’s name during Baird’s speech in protest.

Iraj Nadimi, chairman of the executive council of Iran’s inter-parliamentary group, asked reporters whether Canada would like it if Iran began wading into its domestic affairs, such as Quebec sovereignty.

“This is not the place for that, that we are asking for the independence of people who are requesting independence in Quebec,” Nadimi said through an interpreter.

“We are saying that every country has its own regulations for itself, so we cannot receive any interference from any country and we don’t interfere in another country’s affairs.”

“Sometimes the truth hurts,” Baird said later.

“I know staying silent is never an option when people stone women, when they hang gays, when they incite genocide, when they say they want to wipe the Jewish people and the Jewish state off the map, when they dishonour their UN obligations, when they spread hateful and racist rhetoric.”

The IPU is the oldest multilateral organization in the world, predating the League of Nations and the United Nations. Canada has been a member for 100 years.http://www.chimpreports.com/index.php/news/6551-kadaga-blasts-canadian-minister-over-homosexuality.html

Ugandan Hang the Gays Giles Muhame Admits Wrong and Regret

But fails to apologize to the gays and does nothing to make amends to the LGBTI community in Uganda

By Melanie Nathan, Oct 10, 2012

In a self serving speech to a journalism class, Giles Muhame, the ex-editor of the Ugandan Rolling Stone Magazine, makes an admission of causing harm to gays and notes his regret for the “Hang the gays” article that he procured back in 2010.
Muhame wrote an article outing and exposing 100 gays in Uganda by showing their photographs and depicting a hang rope with the notation “Hang them!” This caused untold harm and some gay Ugandans were beaten, arrested and others fled the country.http://oblogdeeoblogda.me/2012/10/10/ugandan-hang-the-gays-giles-muhame-admits-wrong-and-regret/

Clinton hails gay rights activists in wary Uganda

(Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Friday praised activists who opposed a tough draft law in Uganda targeting gays and lesbians, calling them an inspiration for others struggling to secure equal rights around the world.
Clinton presented a coalition of Ugandan rights groups with the State Department's 2011 Human Rights Defender Award, a signal to African and Islamic nations that Washington will not backtrack in its fight against the legal and political persecution of homosexuals.
"It is critical for all Ugandans - the government and citizens alike - to speak out against discrimination, harassment, and intimidation of anyone. That's true no matter where they come from, what they believe, or whom they love," Clinton said.
Clinton said she raised the issue in talks on Friday with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, whose government has been accused of allowing political and religious leaders to drum up anti-gay feeling in the deeply conservative East African nation.
"You are a model for others and an inspiration for the world," Clinton said to representatives of the group, formed in 2009 to combat draft legislation which proposed the death penalty for anyone convicted of "aggravated homosexuality".
The bill, which spurred a global outcry, stalled in parliament but has been reintroduced in a watered down form by a member of Museveni's party.
The new version dropped the death sentence, but would still outlaw the "promotion" of gay rights and punish anyone who "funds, sponsors or abets homosexuality".
Clinton's strong expression of support for Uganda's beleaguered gay community came as she continued a seven-nation trip across Africa.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/08/03/us-uganda-clinton-idUSBRE8721FH20120803

Ugandan Parliament Should Reject Anti-Homosexuality Bill

PRESS STATEMENT ON ANTI HOMOSEXUALITY BILL

Uganda: Parliament Should Reject Anti-Homosexuality Bill

On Tuesday 7th February 2012, the Anti-Homosexuality Bill (2009) was reintroduced to the Parliament of Uganda. If passed, this draft legislation would violate the human rights of all Ugandans, and should immediately be dropped, the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project (EHAHRDP), Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI), The Human Rights Centre Uganda (HRCU), and Human Rights Network-Uganda (HURINET) said today.

Hon. David Bahati’s widely condemned private member’s bill is one of ten bills saved and reintroduced from the previous Parliament. The bill had its first reading on 7^th February 2012 and was referred to the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee for scrutiny. It is understood that the bill was re-tabled in its original form but that amendments recommended by the Committee last year will be incorporated. Although Hon. Bahati is reported in the media to have said that the death penalty for ‘serial’ acts of homosexuality will be dropped, this is not yet confirmed. EHAHRDP, FHRI, HRCU and HURINET express their concern at the lack of clarity surrounding the parliamentary process and contents of the bill, and call on Parliament to clarify on this matter.
http://www.hrcug.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=148:press-statement-on-anti-homosexuality-bill&catid=44:news&Itemid=180&date=2012-08-01 

Uganda: Government raid on LGBT-rights workshop | Amnesty International

Uganda: Government raid on LGBT-rights workshop | Amnesty International

The world must know and act against this impunity by the government of Uganda, fundamental human rights are not negotiable. 

Uganda making life tough for NGOs, LGBT rights by

By

 Maria Burnett 

HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH

Uganda has made the news in recent months over issues like the Ebola virus, Joseph Kony, and the notorious anti-homosexuality law known as the “kill the gays bill.” Less-well-known has been its longstanding patterns of torture and mistreatment of detainees by security forces.

President Yoweri Museveni and the ruling National Resistance Movement have been in power for more than 25 years, with a 2005 constitutional amendment lifting presidential term limits and permitting him to run and win in 2006, and then again, heavily assisted by off-budget spending from state coffers, in 2011.

Since 2011, Museveni has faced increasing criticism for economic woes, corruption, unemployment, rising HIV rates and deteriorating health and education services. In April 2011, demonstrators “walked to work” to protest raising food and fuel prices. The military and police took to the streets, using live ammunition and killing at least nine bystanders and beating journalists documenting the events. The government has routinely blocked demonstrations in the last few years, contending that they threaten public safety.

The president appears to be preparing to run again in 2016 – which would be his 30th year in office – and it seems no coincidence that in the wake of growing public grievances, the ruling party’s officials are scrutinizing nongovernmental organizations and the impact they have on public perceptions of governance and management of public funds.

Organizations working on human rights, land acquisitions, oil revenue transparency, and other sensitive issues are the main targets, and apparently viewed as a threat to the administration’s interests. Uganda’s laws reflect this analysis. The intelligence agencies are legally mandated to monitor civil society, and the president’s office has a role in reviewing requests to do research, via the Uganda Council on Science and Technology.

Over the last two years, Ugandan officials have reportedly closed civil society meetings and workshops, reprimanded organizations for their research, demanded retractions or apologies, and confiscated t-shirts, calendars and training materials with messaging about political change and “people’s power.” The government board mandated to regulate civil society recently recommended dissolving one group unless it apologized for bringing “the person of the president into disrepute” and has stated that  working in coalitions is unlawful.

At the same time the government’s hostility to, and harassment of, Uganda’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community continues unabated. Government officials demonize homosexuality, deliberately misinform the public, and stir hatred. One minister uses “the promotion of homosexuality” – a spurious claim – as justification for his campaign against any group seeking to protect the rights of LGBT people. He told me that the pursuit of LGBT rights is a Western conspiracy aimed at destroying Uganda.

While homosexual sex is illegal in Uganda, it is not illegal to discuss LGBT issues, despite the deeply misguided anti-gay bill still pending before parliament. Groups focused on fighting for the rights of LGBT people therefore have every legal right to register and operate. But in practice, that remains far from possible. While many interpret the government’s increasing focus on homosexuality as a populist strategy to gain support, it is still profoundly dangerous for a community that is vulnerable to harassment and violence.

Donors need to ask tough questions about where Uganda is heading, given the deteriorating situation for civil society. Furthermore, in today’s Uganda, government institutions have little independence to perform their constitutionally mandated jobs, corruption is rife, and protecting the ruling party and the president from criticism has become more important than citizens’ right to information. Fundamental democratic guarantees such as freedom of expression and association should not take a back seat to security interests. Ultimately, this is the lesson of the Arab spring.

Until Ugandan civil society is free to research, publish, speak out, debate and advocate for change without fear, durable security will remain out of reach.
http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/08/30/uganda-making-life-tough-ngos-lgbt-rights

Maria Burnett is a senior Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch.