Comment
Uganda clarifies on anti-homosexuality law
Publish Date: Jul 07, 2014
President Museveni signed the bill into law on Febuary 24, 2014. PHOTO/Abu Mwesigwa
The government of Uganda has clarified its position on the Anti-homosexuality Act. In a statement released Monday afternoon the Government said the Act was misrepresented.“…its enactment has been misinterpreted as a piece of legislation intended to punish and discriminate against people of a "homosexual orientation", especially by our development partners," read the statement in part
Here is the full statement.
Five Suspected Homosexuals arrested
By Robert Owot
Posted Wednesday, July 9 2014 at 13:06
Posted Wednesday, July 9 2014 at 13:06
In Summary
The new law, signed by President Yoweri Museveni in February this year, imposes jail terms of up to life for "aggravated homosexuality" which includes homosexual sex with a minor or while HIV-positive
Police in Pader district have arrested five people suspected to be promoting the act of homosexuality in the district.
Police in Pader district have arrested five people suspected to be promoting the act of homosexuality in the district.
The suspects were arrested in the period of one week after the tip off by the locals, who accused the suspects of moving within the schools in the district, promoting the practice which was early this year criminalized by the Anti-homosexual Act 2014.
It’s alleged that the suspects have been carrying out clandestine movements in both primary and secondary schools in the district luring the pupils and students into the practice.
The OC Pader Central Police Station, Mr Romeo Ojara Onek, confirmed the arrest, adding that police is still investigating the matter.
He said among the arrested suspects include two businessmen, one teacher, and two students who are allegedly recruiting and promoting the act.
“The suspects’ medical report is out and their files have been forwarded to the Resident State Attorney for advice, pending prosecution,” Mr Onek said.
Last year one of the teachers in the district reported a similar case to Pader district authorities.
This comes barely a month after the United States announced it had cut aid to Uganda and cancelled a military exercise in response to the Anti-homosexuality law that allegedly imposes harsh penalties on homosexuality.
The new law, signed by President Yoweri Museveni in February this year, imposes jail terms of up to life for "aggravated homosexuality" which includes homosexual sex with a minor or while HIV-positive.
Widely condemned by donor countries, the law also criminalizes lesbianism for the first time and makes it a crime to "help" individuals engage in homosexual acts.