By  RICHARD WANAMBWA 

President Museveni yesterday told a rally of supporters of the Anti-Homosexuality Act that he endorsed the law to reaffirm Uganda’s sovereignty. The President said he did not approve of agitation by foreign powers against the new law.

Mr Museveni said the West have a wrong justification of homosexuality. He explained that besides the Bible being against the act, even long ago among African cultures homosexuals were referred to as ekifiire (walking dead).

“I want to thank honourable (David) Bahati and his group. I didn’t pay attention because I was involved in other sectors and little did I know it was a big issue. However, when big countries started giving us orders, I don’t like orders, especially from outside and I don’t know why these people became preachers for others?” Mr Museveni stated.

The Anti-Homosexuality Act is a brain-child of Ndorwa West MP David Bahati. He drafted a private members Bill which he presented to Parliament and it got overwhelming support. The gist of the Bill is the protection of, especially young children from homosexuality. The donor countries have since been up in arms, with some cutting aid.

The President stressed that homosexuality was unhealthy and people who indulge in it could get sexually transmitted diseases.

“I came to learn that homosexuality was unhealthy and this is because they go to a wrong address. Sexual organs of a human being are highly specialised,” he said.

Mr Museveni added that he delayed to sign the Bill because he wanted to be convinced that homosexuality was not genetic but due behavioural influence.

The President said he was going to meet religious leaders today to discuss the issue of establishing the Aids fund to cater for the 1.5 million people living with HIV/Aids since some donors are threatening to cut fund.

Earlier, speaker after speaker praised Mr Museveni for signing the Bill.

Other notable figures that the religious leaders described as saviours of African culture included MP Bahati who they said took a bold stand amidst intimidation from the West to introduce the Bill.

Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga was praised for taking a firm stand to have the debate on the Bill.
Church of Uganda Archbishop Stanley Ntagali said it was an historic occasion that saw the country united for purpose. Mufti Ramadhan Mubajje praised Museveni, saying he redeemed Uganda.

The representative of the Evangelical Movement, Pator Simon Peter Emwau, said the courage Mr Museveni took in signing the Bill is a reflection of what he took in 1970s and 1980s when decided to fight bad leadership.