The Parliament of Uganda has passed a number of amendments to the Anti-homosexuality bill in response to concerns raised by President Yoweri Museveni.

The President had declined to sign the bill and returned it to Parliament after raising concerns with the provisions of three Clauses; 23, 9 and 14. T

The early morning sitting of Parliament had over 340 members voting to amend the clauses in question but stayed Clause 14 which the President had wanted to be deleted.

Parliament was packed to capacity as the legislators sat to reconsider the Anti-homosexuality bill which President Yoweri Museveni returned to the House, with specific objections. 

Last week, the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs committee of Parliament sat and debated the President’s concerns. The committee report was presented to the Plenary by the chairperson Robinah Gureme Rwakoojo, who is the Gomba West MP.

She said that the committee defined a homosexual “to mean a person who engages in an act of Homosexuality.” 

This amendment, according to the report, means that

“a person who is believed or alleged or suspected of being a homosexual who has not committed a sexual act with another person of the same sex does not commit the offense of homosexuality”

Parliament, however, stayed clause 9: sections 1&2 where the President had asked that clause 1 be deleted.

Clause 9, 1 states that

“A person who keeps a house, room or a set of rooms or place of any kind, for purposes of facilitating the commission of the offence of homosexuality commits an offence and is liable upon conviction on imprisonment for a period not exceeding 7 years.”

Clause 9, 2 provides that
“the owner, occupier or manager of premises who knowingly allows premises to be used by any person for the purpose of homosexuality or to commit an offence under this act commits an offence and is liable upon conviction to imprisonment for a period not more than 10 years”

The MPs agreed to merge these clauses form one instead of deleting them.

Parliament has also stayed clause 14 of the bill. The clause criminalizes a person who knows about but does not report acts of homosexuality.

Parliament has as well added a section that

“Creates criminal sanctions against a person who does not report acts of homosexuality that are committed against children and other vulnerable children.”

The Speaker of Parliament accused the Deputy Attorney General, Jackson Kafuzi of misguiding Parliament in the initial process which led to the passing of the bill on which President Museveni had reservations.

The Hon. Kafuzi was faulted for writing to the President, cautioning him against signing the bill.  The Hon. Kafuzi, claimed that Parliament forced him to agree to the initial decisions, thus creating a clash between him and the Speaker.

Parliament unanimously passed the amended bill, with 341 members in support against one legislator, the West Budama North East MP who opposed the amendments. He had also opposed the original bill.

Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka, who is the Chief Government legal Advisor, said that the amended bill will be sent to the President for assent as soon as it reaches his office. A presidential assent or signature makes the bill become law. 

RAMSON