Tuesday, January 26, 2010

THE ABSOLUTE GOD

Pastor Martin Ssempa of Makerere Community Church – Uganda has once again reiterated his call for societies around the world to embrace godliness and beware of the dangers of abandoning God as severe. He particularly called upon the western nations like America, Canada, France, Netherlands and other European nations to turn back to God. “You shall have no other gods before me,” is the first commandment in the Ten Commandments given to Moses to bring to the children of Israel after their deliverance from the land of captivity (Egypt). This law formed the basis of pastor Ssempa’s sermon on Sunday 17th January 2010. According to pastor Ssempa, many societies around the world today have no regard for God. “They do this because they do not have the absolute anywhere in the universe and without the absolute, one can not really have anything as morals. For them, everything is relative; they have no real circle of law.” There’s therefore no circle inside which is right in contrast to that which is outside.” This is not true to Christians who strongly hold it that God does exist and he has a character. There are things which are outside the commandments he has given us as the expression of his character.

Quoting from exodus 22:20, he emphasized that the consequence of worshipping other gods as death. This serves as a strong warning to the world which has increasingly distanced itself from God by embracing relativism. He defined God variously as:
¨ A being of supernatural powers or attributes believed in and worshipped by people.
¨ A being conceived as the perfect, omnipotent, omniscient, originator, and ruler of the universe, the principle object of faith and worship in monotheistic religions.
Capitalizing on the Ten Commandments he said that society needs laws to check on human excesses. Man when in absolute freedom is bound to ruin him self and therefore the need for necessary checks and balances which can only be brought to life by the recognition of an absolute God who bears the ultimate truth about our existence. He compared human behavior to a wild horse that is out of control and needs to be bridled in a given direction by establishing necessary laws. “For instance, marriage is the proper circle for sexual relationships. The relative morality has no absolute and no legal circle and so find no set boundaries,” said the aggressive Pastor Ssempa. To rid the world of this madness that is reflected in many perversions like adultery, fornication, corruption, homosexuality among others is to come back to God and live in accordance with his word.

Pastor Ssempa also regretted that many Christians today do not want to identify themselves as Christians. They are ashamed of their God. He admired a Daniel type of Christians who can not abandon their God despite thee difficulties they go through. He admired a model of Christians who are willing to defend the truth up to the bitter end even if it means death. He reiterated his resolve to fight homosexuality and never to cowardice despite the much pressure on him to give up the war against sodomy. In Uganda we celebrate on 1st of June martyrs day – a day in commemoration of young people who defied the orders of the king of Buganda to engage in homosexuality as a normal human practice. As if he had been motivated by these, he continued to express his convictions as to why he should continue doing what he is doing. Indeed most operations of the church are out touch with the social realities and have not adequately addressed the social needs of the people hence being irrelevant. Referring to the late king Martin Luther junior he said, “I refuse to be part of an irrelevant church.”

Commenting on the Christian – Muslim relationship that has gone sour in many parts of the world like Nigeria and Sudan he said it’s not necessary. Christians and Muslims preach different faith but can find grounds of commonality especially when dealing with issues that threaten out moral fabric as a society like homosexuality. “We learn from each other,” said pastor Ssempa. But in fulfilling the great commission, we should preach to them and encourage them to know Christ. We should also listen to them and hear from them what they want to tell us about their faith. The frequent chaos in northern Nigeria between Christians and Muslims are totally unnecessary.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

One wonders why all the hullaballoos about homosexuality and whether it should be accepted in Uganda or not. In the first place, how can we even begin to think of it as a human right or as fit for human consumption. Where is the world heading to? Who has bewitched this world? What is humanity upto? Is this not self destruction? Is this the helm of civilisation or the helm of confusion? I have not understood why of all the bills Uganda has been tabling in parliament, this has been given radical international attention by nearly all the renown international media. Why are all guns pointing at Uganda? Something fishy must be going on.

It is indeed a big embarrassment for nations that claim to be at the helm civilisation such as America, England, Sweden, France, Netherlands among others to turn all their guns to such a small nation as Uganda bulldozzing it into homosexuality by rejecting the bill that seeks to protect the values and cultures of its people. How can we, in the name of Africa embrace such a vice on our land? With this we shall not be quiet but shall speak on top of our voices.

Homosexuality has never been part of the philosophy of the life of an African man. Our history is clear. Today in Uganda, on 1st june we celebrate Uganda martyrs day, a day in commemoration of young men who defied the orders of the king of Buganda who wanted to drag them into homosexuality. They chose to die rather than do such an evil act. Today the international community is threatening to cut off aids if we do not accept homosexuality as a normal practice a mong Ugandans. If the price of rejecting homosexuality is malaria medicine or any other aid they want to cut off, then we rather die in indignity than sell out our land to homosexuality and our cultural values that have handed down to us through generations. Shame on America and his allies for trying to create a 'Sodomy' and 'Gaymorrah' out of Uganda. We renounce this in the strongest terms and we shall fight it tooth and nail. Please Uganda, go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! dont look back your defender is strong.

Friday, January 15, 2010

Donors have no right to dictate to us

EMMANUEL D. KAVUMA (A Ugandan accountant based in UK)

Xenophobia means the fear or hatred of strangers or foreigners. Xenophobic is the word (‘adjective’ in grammar) describing the person with xenophobia. Whether or not I hate homosexuality is not the subject of this article. When it comes to Uganda, differences must be ducked altogether and we confront, as Ugandans, any challenges, including intrusions.

The threats by Sweden and other countries to cut off aid if the Anti-Homosexuality Bill is passed is offensive and outrageous interference in our affairs, to which Uganda shouldn’t capitulate. We much appreciate their aid but without sounding xenophobic, their donations give them no right to pontificate on our domestic policies and laws.

Advice and suggestions are welcome but it is as cynical as it is misguided to preach to us on how we should conduct ourselves, disregarding our background. Aid or not, Ugandan culture must be recognised. The most important aspect of being respected is never to interfere in other people’s domestic matters. I can’t think of anything more vile than dictating to Ugandans to absorb alien cultures under threats of cutting off financial assistance!

Uganda is currently in throes of an acid epidemic where criminals pour the corrosive substance on enemies, resulting in either death or irreversible deformation. I suggested in a daily tabloid that convicted culprits must be hanged if their victims die or jailed forever if they survive. Unaffected foreigners shouldn’t interfere if the law was passed because apart from the protected ministers/MPs, living in a cocoon of privileges, and the super rich, hapless Ugandans are the victims of sustained acid attacks.

Donors must have some relationships with countries whose justice systems demand that thieves must have their hands chopped off and adulteresses stoned to death!

Early this month, a man who raped five children was sentenced to be beheaded by a court in Saudi Arabia. That is their law, which explains why other countries didn’t interfere. Are we being treated differently because of our financial dependence?

Due to diverse cultures, Sally Bercow, wife of the Speaker of the British Parliament, finds it funny and cool to expose in the media her past escapades as a party girl with a taste for casual sex.

With her lifestyle of heavy drinking, she enjoyed the excitement of not knowing with whom she would spend the night! A Ugandan woman, let alone one married to a Parliament Speaker, would never do that because it is incompatible with culture to reveal bedroom secrets.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams, has called the American Anglican to block the appointment of a lesbian bishop and warned that selecting a homosexual bishop could push the Anglican Communion into full-blown schism.

Why are those exalting homosexuality and human rights campaigners voiceless about Dr.Williams’ missive? Donors’ money, most of which is stolen, is not a ‘one-way street’ because the givers also benefit.

Their banks keep huge cash balances owned by thieves in Uganda and other countries. Millions of Global Fund cash siphoned out of Uganda by thieves is already back lying in overseas banks. Only Nigeria recovered some $1.2 billion of Sani Abacha’s (former military ruler) billions stashed away in banks abroad.

Many vehicles bought with donors’ recycled cash are mainly imported from their countries, which boosts enormously their motor and other industries.

Stern, non-deterrent measures, rather than mere denunciations, will curb stealing. The European Union’s insistence that all thieves must be prosecuted to avoid impunity is the donation Uganda needs now, and not homosexuals. Neglected auditors’ reports must be the blueprint against corruption.

The Police chief deserves credit for targeting medium fish by arresting some District Police Commanders and senior officers. Arrests of “drug traffickers” in the Health Ministry and clinics will resuscitate our health services.

Disappointingly, after the hype of their arrests and detention subsides, suspects are bonded out, and continue to be paid for doing nothing while on indefinite “suspension”!

What happened to a Nateete Police chief ordered by the President to be arrested in a fanfare of publicity nearly two months ago? Unless laws are implemented [and where necessary amended], it is hard to see what the statute books exist for and how stealing can be eliminated.

What’s the purpose of having capital punishment when convicted murderers are on death row for 20 years and then released without hanging them? The World Bank, a major donor, reveals that Shs 530 billion is stolen annually!

Donors threatening us with cuts are more concerned about homosexuals than the beleaguered masses dying of diseases and hunger because they continue flooding the country with billions without cut threats as if stealing is more tolerable than homosexuality.

UPC party criticises gays Bill, is it because of Otunu?

Daily Monitor.

This is NOT Leadership. We seek


Uganda People’s Congress party members have criticised the controversial anti-gay legislation, arguing that it will distort the state’s relationship with the donors.
Mama Miria Obote, the party president, told journalists yesterday during a press briefing at party headquarters in Kampala that the Bill should be withdrawn since there already laws that governs homosexuality. “This Bill was tabled to disrupt our donors. This is unfortunate because half of our budget comes from these donors so we need their support. We cannot afford to put in place laws that will distract the flow of funds into the state because it is what we solely depend on,” she argued.

I sadly read what the UPC leader? says, I wonder if she is a mother? How can you say the bill disrupts the donors, what kind of leadership is she offering? Is this the way she is going to lead Uganda? To take us back to dependence on foreigners to an extent of allowing them to make laws for us? Point of Information Madam Miria, Uganda currently supports 100% of it's budget and 35% of it's development budget. If our tax base is consolidated, we shall be able to support all. And if donor's money comes with strings to allowing homosexuality, then we better die than allow this to happen. You loose our support for your party, and are you in defence of Otunu?


The Bill currently before Parliament proposes a life imprisonment for anyone convicted of homosexuality and the death penalty in certain circumstances. While broadly supported domestically, the legislation has caused a storm of protest abroad.
President Museveni early this week during a party meeting said the private member’s Bill had become a matter of international concern and more consultation was needed.
“It’s a foreign policy issue, and we must handle it in a way that does not compromise our principles but also takes into account our foreign policy interests.”

UPC members, however, explained that the government is steering the Bill to cover-up for its past misdeeds so as to withdraw the public’s attention from more developmental issues. Mr Yonasani Kanyomozi, the party’s National Chairman, told Daily Monitor that the government was directly involved in formulating the Bill but disguised it as Mr David Bahati’s, the MP who proposed it. “This is not Bahati’s Bill; it is a government Bill which was put in place to distract the public from the government’s corruption cases.”

We know that opposition parties have been paid or been promised to be paid alot of money by Donors if they distance themselves from the bill. I have personally followed the drawing of this bill and I know of UPC MPs and other opposition MPs who were involved in drawing the bill and sponsoring it. So UPC's statements are unfounded and baseless, and if they think they can get sympathy from Donors, they loose out on 95% of Ugandans who do not support homosexulity. This is surely not the Leadership. We seek

MPs risk being voted out because of anti-homo Bill

Daily Monitor

The Rwenzururu King, Charles Wesley Mumbere Iremangoma, has urged his subjects to vote legislators who support homosexuality out of Parliament.

King Mumbere made the remark on Sunday while meeting Mr Mubarak Kidima, a Ugandan who is contesting for a legislative seat in Australia. He said if homosexuality is allowed to prevail, it will degenerate the African culture.

The Omusinga said: “Homosexuality has contributed to cultural conflicts not only in Africa but in the entire world.” The Rwenzururu king said as cultural leaders, they will continue to advise the government not to disregard African cultural value in exchange for foreign assistance.

Several countries including US, Britain, Canada and several international organisations have expressed dissatisfaction over the Bill, while Sweden has threatened to withdraw aid. Meanwhile, Busongora South MP Christopher Mbalibulha Kibanzanga has said he will quit politics if Parliament fails to pass the Anti-gay Bill.

Speaking during a talk show on a local fm radio on Sunday, Mr Kibanzaga said: “I am ready to quit politics if this Parliament fails to pass this Bill because it means we are selling our cultural values and adopting western culture.”
Busongora North MP Elijah Kyetunda said: “I would not forgive my government if it dares to mind about foreign aid and forget our cultural values.”

This is Leadership. We seek

Ssekandi opposes President on gays Bill

Daily Monitor

Parliament will go ahead and debate the Anti-Homosexuality Bill irrespective of opposition from donors and President Museveni, Speaker Edward Ssekandi has said.

The Speaker’s position comes days after the US government threatened to expel Uganda from the African Growth and Opportunities Act (Agoa) arrangement if the Bill tabled by Mr David Bahati (Ndorwa West) is enacted into law.

We shall be excited to be out of AGOA, it has donr more harm than good, there are so many disadvantages, it benefits America and not Uganda...


Mr Ssekandi told journalists at Parliament yesterday that no amount of opposition and threats would stop the ongoing process of seeking views on the Bill—that has also been criticised by human rights activists.

The Bill proposes seven-year jail terms for homosexuals and the death penalty for convicts of aggravated homosexuality.

Mr Ssekandi said: “There is no way we can be intimidated by remarks from the President to stop the Bill. This Bill was officially tabled in Parliament and was subsequently committed to a committee for scrutiny. The President has a right to express his views like any other people who have petitioned me.”

Bravo Ssekandi


He added: “This was a private members’ Bill and if the Executive wants to bring their views they are free. The Constitution is clear, it doesn’t allow people of the same sex to get married and what we are looking for in the Bill is (basically) the penalty and the process should continue.”

Addressing his ruling NRM party members at State House, Entebbe on Tuesday President Museveni told advocates of the Bill to go slow, saying the matter was a sensitive foreign policy issue.

For President Museveni, he should know that his re-election is in balance depending on whether he is with donors or with the 95% of Ugandans who do not want homosexuality here.

Govt could stop Gays Bill? - minister

Daily Monitor

Ndorwa West MP David Bahati’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill may be withdrawn from Parliament following pressure from the international community, a senior government official has said.

Donor countries, including the United States, have piled pressure on the government to drop the proposed law, on grounds that it violates human rights.

I wonder which human right this bill violates when Homosexuality is already illegal in Uganda. And who rules our country, Donors or Ugandans? Can we exercise our independence?


The State Minister for Investments, Mr Aston Kajara, yesterday said the government was looking at the Bill with the possibility of withdrawing it. “The government’s official position is that we have enough laws to cover homosexuality acts,” Mr Kajara said. “Government did not sponsor this Bill. It is a private member’s Bill. The government is studying it and we may talk to the honourable Member of Parliament (David Bahati) to consider withdrawing it.”

Kajara, how much have you been paid, and guys, how can a minister of investment be talking about a government position on moral issues, when we have ministers directly in this area, this is not true, Kajara is completly acting alone and it is a shame to him. The bill will not be withdrawn. Stop being a puppet of the western countries!


In October 2009, Mr Bahati tabled the private member’s Bill that proposes death or life imprisonment for gay people. But the government tried to own the piece of legislation, with Ethics Minister Nsaba Buturo once telling reporters in Kampala that homosexuals “can forget about human rights”.

Of course they can forget about human rights, because they are not getting homosexuality as a right in Uganda


Mr Bahati denies being in a hate campaign, although he has failed to provide evidence to back claims that European gays are recruiting in Ugandan schools. The Penal Code Act already criminalises homosexuality.

It is actually the homosexuals who are in a hate campaign, they have threatened MP Bahati's life, have threatened the rulling party and every key stakeholder on this issue.


On one account, President Museveni has assured US authorities that he would veto the Bill. This comes a day after the State Minister for International Affairs Okello Oryem insisted that the government is not bothered by foreign criticism because homosexuality is not a priority in Uganda.

Monday, January 4, 2010

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Dr. Sserwada implores Parlaiment to Pass Anti-Gay Bill

Dr. Joseph Sserwada, the Senior Pastor of Victory Christian Center in Ndeeba and the Proprietor of Impact Fm and Alpha Fm has implored parliament "to listen to reason and pass the Anti-homosexual Bill with a slight revision on the capital punishment."

He is also the presiding Apostle of the Born Again Faith Federation of Uganda, a federation that brings together all born again churches in Uganda to be recognized by the government of Uganda.

In his prayer for Uganda it is reported that he prayed thus; "We, the people of Uganda are sincere in our desire to tackle the dangerous and spreading menace of homosexuality. The year 2010 looks friendly and very inviting. Walls of hindrance, limitation and blockage will crumble before us. I envisage Uganda registering significant achievements in legislature, foreign relations, moral correction and human rights.The Lord has constantly dealt with me to in the area of governance and national policy over some controversial issues and shown me that, for once, there is going to be a listening ear.

WCC concerned about anti-homosexual bill in Uganda

World Council of Churches is concerned about the law in Uganda, sorry, they do not make for us laws and we also know them well, that they are off the hook and since their meet in Brazil in the last decade, they accepted homosexuality, going against what the bible teaches. Please stop stressing our President.


The general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), the Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia, wrote a letter to Uganda's President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, saying that the WCC was "saddened and distressed to receive the news from Uganda regarding a proposed law against homosexual individuals […], which also proposes the death penalty to be meted to homosexual individuals who are HIV positive".

Kobia reminds the president of the commandment to love one's neighbour, adding that the law "should definitely not promote hatred".

We love the people, we hate the sin, and we love them so much as to tell them that what they are doing is wrong. The state is mandated to punish wrong doing


He also warns that "all the discussions, time, efforts and some times money, used on the issue of homosexuality distracts us from non judgmental and constructive discussions about the majority’s problems" and that such a bill, if enacted, "will leave a lot of room for manipulation, abuse […] and oppression of people".

Homosexuality is a majority's problem, we do not want it here, we want it outlawed.

The Anti Homosexuality Bill

Due to Public Demand, please find the bill here:

BILLS
SUPPLEMENT No. 13 25th September, 2009.


BILLS SUPPLEMENT
to the Uganda Gazette No. 47 Volume CII dated 25th September, 2009.
Printed by UPPC, Entebbe by Order of the Government.

Bill No. 18 Anti Homosexuality Bill 2009

THE ANTI HOMOSEXUALITY BILOL, 2009.

MEMORANDUM.

1.1. The principle
The object of this Bill is to establish a comprehensive consolidated legislation to protect the traditional family by prohibiting (i) any form of sexual relations between persons of the same sex; and (ii) the promotion or recognition of such sexual relations in public institutions and other places through or with the support of any Government entity in Uganda or any non governmental organization inside or outside the country.

This Bill aims at strengthening the nation’s capacity to deal with emerging internal and external threats to the traditional heterosexual family.

This legislation further recognizes the fact that same sex attraction is not an innate and immutable characteristic.

The Bill further aims at providing a comprehensive and enhanced legislation to protect the cherished culture of the people of Uganda, legal, religious, and traditional family values of the people of Uganda against the attempts of sexual rights activists seeking to impose their values of sexual promiscuity on the people of Uganda.

There is also need to protect the children and youths of Uganda who are made vulnerable to sexual abuse and deviation as a result of cultural changes, uncensored information technologies, parentless child developmental settings and increasing attempts by homosexuals to raise children in homosexual relationships through adoption, foster care, or otherwise.

2.1. Defects in existing law.
This proposed legislation is designed to fill the gaps in the provisions of other laws in Uganda e.g. the Penal Code Act Cap. 120.

The Penal Code Act (Cap120) has no comprehensive provision catering for anti homosexuality. If focuses on unnatural offences under section 145 and lacks provisions for penalizing the procurement, promoting, disseminating literature and other pantographic materials concerning the offences of homosexuality hence the need for legislation to provide for charging, investigating, prosecuting, convicting and sentencing of offenders.

This legislation comes to complement and supplement the provisions of the Constitution of Uganda and the Penal Code
Act Cap 120 by not only criminalizing same sex marriages but also same-sex sexual acts and other related acts.

3.0. The objectives of the Bill
The objectives of the Bill are to:

(a) provide for marriage in Uganda as that contracted only between a man and a woman;

(b) prohibit and penalize homosexual behavior and related practices in Uganda as they constitute a threat to the traditional family;

(c) prohibit ratification of any international treaties, conventions, protocols, agreements and declarations which are contrary or inconsistent with the pro visions of the Act;

(d) prohibit the licensing of organizations which promote homosexuality.

3.1. Part I of the Bill incorporating clause 1 provides for preliminary matters relating to interpretation of the words and phrases used in the Bill.

3.2. Part II of the Bill incorporating clause 2 to 6 prohibits homosexuality and related practices by introducing the offences of engaging in homosexuality, and the penalties of imprisonment upon conviction. This part also provides for protection, assistance and support for victims of homosexuality.

3.3. Part III of the Bill incorporating clause 7 to 14 creates offences and penalties for act that promote homosexuality, failure to report the offence and impose a duty on the community to report suspected cases of homosexuality.

3.4. Part IV of the Bill incorporating clause15 to clause 17 provides for the jurisdiction of Uganda Courts in case of Homosexuality, including extra territorial jurisdiction.

3.5. Part V of the Bill incorporating clauses 18 and 19 provides for miscellaneous provisions on International Treaties, Protocols, Declarations and conventions and the Minister to make regulations to give effect to the Act.

Schedule of the Bill gives the value of the currency point.

HON DAVID BAHATI,
Member of Parliament, Ndorwa County West, Kabale.
Anti Homosexuality Bill
THE ANTI HOMOSEXUALITY BILL, 2009.
___________

ARRANGEMENT OF CLAUSES.

P¬¬¬ART I—PRELIMINARY.

Clause

1. Interpretation.
PART II—PROHIBITION OF HOMOSEXUALITY.
2. The offence of homosexuality.
3. Aggravated homosexuality.
4. Attempt to commit homosexuality.
5. Protection, assistance and payment of compensation to victims of homosexuality.
6. Confidentiality.

PART III—RELATED OFFENCES AND PENALTIES.

7. Aiding and abating homosexuality.
8. Conspiracy to engage in homosexuality.
9. Procuring homosexuality by threats , etc.
10. Detention with intent to commit homosexuality.
11. Brothels.
12. Same sex marriage.
13. Promotion of homosexuality.
14. Failure to disclose the offence.

PART IV—JURISDICTION.

15. Jurisdiction.
16. Extra- territorial Jurisdiction.
17. Extradition.

PART V—MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.

18. International treaties.
19. Regulations.

Schedule

Currency point.



A BILL FOR AN ACT

ENTITLED

THE ANTI HOMOSEXUALITY ACT, 2009.

An Act to prohibit any form of sexual relations between persons of the same sex; prohibit the promotion or recognition of such relations and to provide for other related matters.

BE IT ENACTED by Parliament as follows:

PART I—PRELIMINARY.

1. Interpretation.
In this act, unless the context otherwise requires—

“authority” means having power and control over other people because of your knowledge and official position; and shall include a person who exercises religious, political, economic or social authority;

“bisexual” means a person who is sexually attracted to both males and females;

“child” means a person below the age of 18 years;

“currency point” has the value assigned to it in the Schedule to this Act;

“disability” means a substantial limitation of daily life activities caused by physical, mental or sensory impairment and environment barriers resulting in limited participation;

“felony” means an offence which is declared by law to be a felony or if not declared to be a misdemeanor is punishable without proof of precious conviction, with death or with imprisonment for 3 years or more;

“gay” means a male person who engages in sexual intimacy with another person of the same sex;

“gender” means male or female;

“HIV” means the Human Immunodeficiency Virus;

“homosexual” means a person who engages or attempts to engage in same gender sexual activity;

“homosexuality” means same gender or same sex sexual acts;

“lesbian” means a female who engages in sexual intimacy with another female;

“Minister” means the Minister responsible for ethics and integrity;

“misdemeanor” means any offence which is not a felony;

“serial offender” means a person who has previous convictions of the offence of homosexuality or related offences;

“sexual act” includes—

(a) physical sexual activity that does not necessarily culminate in intercourse and may include the touching of another’s breast, vagina, penis or anus;

(b) stimulation or penetration of vagina or mouth or anus or any part of the body of any person, however slight by a sexual organ;

(c) the unlawful use of any object or organ by a person on another person’s sexual organ or anus or mouth;

“sexual organ” means a vagina, penis or any artificial sexual contraption;

“touching” includes touching—

(a) with any part of the body;

(b) with anything else;

(c) through anything;

and in particular includes touching amounting to penetration of any sexual organ, anus or mouth.

“victim” includes a person who is involved in homosexual activities against his or her will.

PART II—HOMOSEXUALITY AND RELATED PRACTICES.

2. The offence of homosexuality.
(1) A person commits the offence of homosexuality if--

(a) he penetrates the anus or mouth of another person of the same sex with his penis or any other sexual contraption;
(b) he or she uses any object or sexual contraption to penetrate or stimulate sexual organ of a person of the same sex;

(c) he or she touches another person with the intention of committing the act of homosexuality.

(2) A person who commits an offence under this section shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for life.

3. Aggravated homosexuality.
(1) A person commits the offence of aggravated homosexuality where the--

(a) person against whom the offence is committed is below the age of 18 years;

(b) offender is a person living with HIV;

(c) offender is a parent or guardian of the person against whom the offence is committed;

(d) offender is a person in authority over the person against whom the offence is committed;

(e) victim of the offence is a person with disability;

(f) offender is a serial offender; or

(g) offender applies, administers or causes to be used by any man or woman any drug, matter or thing with intent to stupefy or overpower him or her so as to there by enable any person to have unlawful carnal connection with any person of the same sex.

(2) A person who commits the offence of aggravated homosexuality shall be liable on conviction to suffer death.

(3) Where a person is charged with the offence under this section, that person shall undergo a medical examination to ascertain his or her HIV status.

4. Attempt to commit homosexuality.
(1) A person who attempts to commit the offence of homosexuality commits a felony and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for seven years.

(2) A person who attempts to commit the offence of aggravated homosexuality commits an offense and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for life.

5. Protection, assistance and payment of compensation to victims of homosexuality.
(1) A victim of homosexuality shall not be penalized for any crime committed as a direct result of his or her involvement in homosexuality.

(2) A victim of homosexuality shall be assisted to enable his or her views and concerns to be presented and considered at the appropriate stages of the criminal proceedings.

(3) Where a person is convicted of homosexuality or aggravated homosexuality under sections 2 and 3 of this Act, the court may, in addition to any sentence imposed on the offender, order that victim of the offence be paid compensation by the offender for any physical, sexual or psychological harm caused to the victim by the offence.

(4) The amount of compensation shall be determined by the court and the court shall take into account the extent of harm suffered by the victim of the offence, the degree of force used by the offender and medical and other expenses incurred by the victim as a result of the offence.

6. Confidentiality.
(1) At any stage of the investigation or trial of an offence under this Act, law enforcement officers, prosecutors, judicial officers and medical practitioners, as well as parties t othe case, shall recognize the right to privacy of the victim.

(2) For the purpose of subsection (1), in cases involving children and other cases where the court considers it appropriate, proceedings of the court shall be conducted in camera, outside the presence of the media.

(3) Any editor, publisher, reporter or columnist in case of printed materials, announcer or producers in case of television and radio, producer or director of a film in case of the movie industry, or any person utilizing trimedia facilities or information technology who publishes or causes the publicity of the names and personal circumstances or any other information tending to establish the victim’s identity without authority of court, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding two hundred and fifty currency points.

PART III—RELATED OFFENCES AND PENALTIES

7. Aiding and abating homosexuality.
A person who aids, abets, counsels or procures another to engage in acts of homosexuality commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for seven years.

8. Conspiracy to engage in homosexuality.
A person who conspires with another to induce another person of the same sex by any means of false pretence or other fraudulent means to permit any person of the same sex to have unlawful carnal knowledge of him or her commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for seven years.

9. Procuring homosexuality by threats, etc.
(1) A person who—

(a) by threats or intimidation procures or attempts to procure any woman or man to have any unlawful carnal knowledge with any person of the same sex, either in Uganda or elsewhere;

(b) by false pretences or false representations procures any woman or man to have any unlawful carnal connection with any person of the same sex, either in Uganda or elsewhere; or

(2) A person shall not be convicted of an offence under this section upon the evidence of one witness only, unless that witness Is corroborated in some material particular by evidence implicating the accused.

10. Detention with intent to commit homosexuality.
A person who detains another person with the intention to commit acts of homosexuality with him or herself or with any other person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for seven years.

11. Brothels
(1) A person who keeps a house, room, set of rooms or place of any kind for purposes of homosexuality commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for seven years.

(2) A person being the owner or occupier of premises or having or acting or assisting in the management or control of the premises, induces or knowingly suffers any man or woman to resort to or be upon such premises for the purpose of being unlawfully and carnally known by any man or woman of the same sex whether such carnal knowledge is intended to be with any particular man or woman generally, commits a felony and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for five years.

12. Same sex marriage.
A person who purports to contract a marriage with another person of the same sex commits the offence of homosexuality and shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for life.

13. Promotion of homosexuality.
(1) A person who—

(a) participates in production, procuring, marketing, broadcasting, disseminating, publishing pornographic materials for purposes of promoting homosexuality;
(b) funds or sponsors homosexuality or other related activities;

(c) offers premises and other related fixed or movable assets for purposes of homosexuality or promoting homosexuality;

(d) uses electronic devices which included internet, films, mobile phones for purposes of homosexuality or promoting homosexuality and;

(e) who acts as an accomplice or attempts to promote or in any way abets homosexuality and related practices;

commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of five thousand currency points or imprisonment of a minimum of five years and a maximum of five years and a maximum of seven years or both fine and imprisonment.

(2) Where the offender is a corporate body or a business or an association or a non-governmental organization, on conviction its certificate of registration shall be cancelled and the director or proprietor or promoter shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for seven years.

14. Failure to disclose the offence.
A person in authority, who being aware of the commission of any offence under this Act, omits to report the offence to the relevant authorities within twenty-four hours of having first had that knowledge, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding two hundred and fifty currency points or imprisonment not exceeding three years.

PART IV—JURISDICTION.

15. Jurisdiction.
Save for aggravated homosexuality that shall be tried by the High Court, the magistrates court shall have jurisdiction to try the other offences under this Act.

16. Extra- Territorial Jurisdiction.
This Act shall apply to offences committed outside Uganda where—

(a) a person who, while being a citizen of or permanently residing in Uganda, commits an act outside Uganda, which act should constitute an offence under this Act had it been committed in Uganda; or

(b) the offence was committed partly outside and or partly in Uganda.

17. Extradition.
A person charged with an offence under this Act shall be liable to extradition under the existing extradition laws.

PART V—MISCELLANEOUS.

18. Nullification of inconsistent international treaties, protocols, declarations and conventions.
(1) Any international legal instrument whose provisions are contradictory to the spirit and provisions enshrined in this Act, are null and void to the extent of their inconsistency.

(2) Definitions of “sexual orientation”, “sexual rights”, “sexual minorities”, “gender identity” shall not be used in anyway to legitimize homosexuality, gender identity disorders and related practices in Uganda.

19. Regulations.
The minister may, by statutory instrument, make regulations generally for better carrying out the provisions of this Act.