GOVERNMENT RESPONSE ON THE ANTI-HOMOSEXUALITY BILL

The Government has explained that the Anti-homosexuality Bill was introduced by a private member, Hon. David Bahati, and not the Government.

Below is a statement by Hon. Sam Kutesa, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uganda:

                                     A statement on the Anti-Homosexual Bill

A number of representations have been made to Government regarding a private member’s bill (Hon. David Bahati) against homosexuality. Most of these representations are from Countries and Organizations that promote Human rights and Democracy.

I wish to point out that it is Hon. Bahati’s democratic right to introduce a bill as a private member’s bill and to that extent Government cannot be seen to interfere with his rights as an MP. It is inconsistent to promote gay rights and at the same time demand that the right of a Member of Parliament to legislate be interfered with.

As to the contents of the bill, Government is aware that the Uganda Penal Code already provides against homosexuality and it may, therefore, not be necessary to have another law to further criminalize it.

It is, however, Government’s view that there is a need to protect minors against homosexual relations as we have already done with a law to protect minors against defilement in heterosexual relations.

Secondly, Government does not support the promotion of homosexuality just like we cannot promote prostitution. It is a fact that if there are any homosexuals in Uganda, they are a minority. The majority of Africans and indeed Ugandans abhor this practice. It is therefore not correct to allow this minority to provoke the majority by promoting homosexuality.

In the light of the above reasons, we do not see any need for excitement. Government will review the bill in keeping with the above concerns of our society.

Hon. Sam Kahamba Kutesa
Minister of Foreign Affairs