In 2014, Uganda’s constitutional court rejected the controversial bill on technicality because it is reportedly the death penalty. But this time, they seem certain about the effective passing of the bill. The government said the legislation of the bill would reduce or curb the rise in the “unnatural sex” in the East African nation.
“Homosexuality is not natural to Ugandans, but there has been excessive and massive recruitment of gay people in school, and especially, among the youths where they are promoting the falsehood that people are born like” said Ugandan Ethics and Integrity Minister, Simon Lokodo to the Thomson Reuter Foundation.
“Our current penal law is limited. It only criminalizes the act. We want it to be made clear that someone who is even involved in promoting or recruiting, has to be criminalized. Those that do grave acts will be given death sentence”.
He said with the President’s validation, the law will be passed in the coming weeks in Parliament.
It is worth noting that the Ugandan government’s decision is not only facing condemnation now. Back in 2014, Uganda faced widespread criticism by the former bill passed by Mr. Museveni in 2014. The consequences that followed that year involved the reduction in the United States aid to Uganda, imposed visa restrictions and cancelled military exercises. The World Bank, Norway, Denmark and The Netherlands also suspended or reduced aid. The Minister said the country was prepared for any sanctions or any negative response.
“It is a concern, but we are ready. We don’t like blackmailing. Much as we know that it is going to irritate our supporters in budget and governance, we can’t just bend our heads and bow before the people who want to impose a culture that is foreign to us.”
Gay sex is punishable with life imprisonment by the British colonial law governing Uganda. But according to the report The Observer, the government of Uganda has denied the rumors. Read more about this on The Observer.
Related News: 50 Dead In Orlando As a Result Of Shooting In Gay Nightclub
