THUMBS UP FOR MUSEVENI ON ANTIGAY BILL

By Smangele Mzizi (BTM intern)

ALL AFRICA – 18 January 2010: Gay rights activists and human rights defenders have hailed President Yoweri Museveni’s statement on Uganda’s Anti Homosexual Bill cautioning those advocating for the Bill to “go slow”, saying the matter was a sensitive foreign policy issue which needed further consultation before being voted on in parliament. See activists’ views here...
 
Linda Baumann - The Rainbow Project (Namibia)

“Just to think of the amount of pressure and emotional stress this bill has caused to our movement this is a celebratory moment for the movement, congratulations to everyone and am proud of the pro activism.”

Fikile Vilakazi, Coalition of African Lesbians (South Africa)

“What a way of starting a year, Museveni is finally starting to crack and shake. Bahati will have to bow down too, well done Uganda and to all who have been involved in this campaign, there was no way they could proceed with this Bill, now we must make sure that they remove it completely.”“Amandla! They must learn from the Rwandese that the quicker you deal with this the better”, I love the sound of this.

Thuli Madi, Behind the Mask (South Africa)

“Surprised and impressed I must say over Museveni's stance now, very good news indeed.”

Fadzai Muparutsa - Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ)

“To all activists and the Ugandan LGBT community, you have shown your strength through your perseverance in fighting the kill bill, much respect to you all.”

Frank Mugisha of Sexual Minorities Uganda

“He [Museveni] seems to be saying that the law should be watered down due to foreign interests. But he should rather be talking about the interests of minorities in Uganda. He should come out and say that the entire bill is just wasting time.”

Steve Letsike - Out LGBTI Well-being (South Africa)

“It’s high time that ministers and the government speak out up about these issues and open discussions around the bill, this should also be seen as a learning curve for some who do not know about homosexuality”

Balisa Mahlangu - Gay and Lesbian Equality Project (South Africa)

“This is the first step ahead in ensuring that the government protects and gives rights to its people, but it’s not a complete victory and we do not see it as a victory as the government could still pass the bill.”

Busi Kheswa - Forum for the Empowerment of Women (South Africa)

“This is a positive step, it shows that they are succumbing to international pressure and it means there is a chance that the Bill might be revised or retracted, but as activists we can not relax, we can only celebrate when the whole debate is finilised, that is when we can claim a win.” “Its good that African leaders are listening and that they realise that they can not impose things on people unchallenged.”

Emily Craven of - Joint Working Group (South Africa)

“This is positive for LGBTI people in Uganda, but it is disappointing that Museveni is not taking a stance and calling for it [the bill] to be droped, he is talking from an economic point of view rather than the human rights point of view, we want a tougher stance saying that the Bill is morally wrong. It’s good that he is feeling the pressure, it shows the power of activism which took place around the Bill.”

Patience Mandishona - Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ)
“Its always good to realise some change after all the efforts, congratulations everybody, lets keep the fire of solidarity burning.”