use event to speak out against gays – mps

By Yasiin Mugerwa (The Monitor)

Members of Parliament have asked the government to use the Chogm summit to speak out against homosexuality.

Addressing a press conference at Parliament on Monday, Oyam South MP Ishaa Otto demanded for a clamp down on gays and lesbians to protect what he described as the 'fabric that holds Ugandan society intact'.

"Chogm is an opportunity for the government to send a clear message that gays are not welcome in Uganda. It's unfortunate that the government is silent as if there is nothing happening. The society must rise up against homosexuality before it's too late," Mr Otto said.

He said due to the absence of a tough law, the gay community is growing. "The government should urgently table a new bill that criminalises homosexuality with punitive amendments that guarantee arrests to prevent the spread of gay practices," he said.

In a separate interview, Kawempe South MP, Ssebuliba Mutumba said, "We call for seriousness on the part of the government to check homosexuality because it's illegal and a taboo."

He said action was needed urgently because gays were increasingly becoming visible and this may lead to "a morally corrupted society."

Homosexuality is illegal in Uganda. In the Penal Code it is categorised under the crime of sexual practices against the order of nature and attracts a sentence of life imprisonment.

However, on August 16, a coalition of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) activists addressed an unprecedented press conference calling for recognition of their rights under a campaign dubbed "Let Us Live in Peace".

This however, led to a demonstration against them by religious groups.

The Minister of Ethics and Integrity, Dr James Nsaba Buturo, told Daily Monitor that a new law would be tabled soon. "As soon as Parliament resumes, we shall table a tough law. The government is doing everything possible to stamp out homosexuality."