Homosexuality A Human Wrong, Not a Human Right – Ugandan MP Behind Re-introduction of Anti-Gay Bill

Parliament has granted leave to Bugiri Municipality Member of Parliament Asuman Basalirwa to introduce a private member’s Bill titled the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, 2023.

The House granted the MP leave on Tuesday, 28 February 2023, after it returned from a three week recess where legislators monitored the progress of the Parish Development Model (PDM).

The Bill seeks to prohibit any form of sexual relations between persons of the same sex and prohibit the promotion or recognition of such relations.

While moving the motion, Basalirwa observed that Parliament passed the Anti-Homosexuality Act, 2014 on 20 December 2013, which was nullified by the Constitutional Court citing lack of necessary quorum of lawmakers to vote on the Bill.

“This House had an opportunity to correct the anomaly then, but it was lost. We now have another opportunity to follow all the procedures to have a law in place,” he said.

Basalirwa described homosexuality as a ‘cancer’ eating up the world, and urged legislators to join in ensuring the establishment of a law to curb it.

“We always talk about human rights but it is also true that there are human wrongs. Homosexuality is a human wrong that needs to be tackled through a piece of legislation,” he added.

While chairing the House, the Speaker Anita Among reiterated a call to MPs to stand firm and vote for a law that will act against the vice which she said is a threat to society.

“This vice has persisted and the people who are suffering are our children. We must stand up and be counted as Parliament. We need to have a law in place as regards homosexuality,” Among said.

Earlier, Speaker Anita Among had revealed that a bill prohibiting homosexuality will be tabled on Wednesday, 01 March 2023.

“As an institution that passes laws, tomorrow we are going to bring the bill on anti-homosexuality. Let us be the light showing people that this is not what should be done. The Bible says a man should marry a woman not woman to woman and man to man,” said Among.

Among added that Parliament has been provoked by the rampant cases of homosexuality reported in schools and other communities.

“What is outside there in schools and communities is about homosexuality; our moral values have been eroded. Now we leaders must be seen to be the light, to guide the country,” she said.

Among made the announcement during a  thanksgiving ecumenical service at Parliament on Tuesday, 28 February 2023 to dedicate the new session of Parliament to God.  The service was held under the theme, ‘let your light shine; rebuilding our godly image’.

Among scoffed at ‘promoters’ of homosexuality who she said have used their financial support to erode the deeply rooted moral and cultural values.

“We want to appreciate the economic development that the promoters of homosexuality have brought in our country, but we do not appreciate them killing our morals; we do not appreciate bringing their money to destroy our culture,” said Among.

She urged MPs to rally behind the bill saying, they ought to demonstrate what the society expects of them.

“We will not allow an aspect of saying there was no quorum; we are going to vote by show of hands. You are either for homosexuality or not; we want to see the kind of leaders we have in the country,” said Among.

Charles Onen (Indep., Laroo-Pece Division) cited Vision Uganda 2040 that has a goal to ensure Uganda has a healthy and productive population, which is at risk  of homosexuality. “The issue at hand is a public secret and we need to treat this as an act of terror on our children. The essence of humanity is preservation of life which is only guaranteed through procreation,” said Onen.

Sarah Opendi (NRM, Tororo District) called on law enforcement agencies including Uganda Police and the NGO Board to ensure apprehension of perpetrators.

“The promotion of homosexuality is not in any legislation and therefore, we must make it an offence for those who are promoting it among our children in schools,” Opendi said.

Recently, President Museveni revealed how a top American Politician tried to convince him to allow homosexuality in Uganda. (Read Story Here).

Meanwhile, the Anglican Church of Uganda has broken away from the Church of England after Canterbury allowed same-sex marriage weddings. (Read Story Here).

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Report: Parliament