Uganda: Railways first, gay rights second
Posted: 18 Dec 2011, 13:59
Railways first, gay rights second, Uganda’s president says
Uganda’s president Yoweri Museveni has claimed building railways is more important that improving the rights of gay people, following Western governments’ threats to cut aid to nations discriminating against homosexuals.
Jonny Payne
PinkPaper.com 17 December 2011
Uganda’s president Yoweri Museveni has claimed building railways is more important that improving the rights of gay people, following Western governments’ threats to cut aid to nations discriminating against homosexuals.
Speaking to delegates at a meeting in the Ugandan capital Kampala, Museveni said: “Before anyone gives me a lecture about homosexuals and their rights, first talk about railways,†the BBC reports.
As previously reported by Pinkpaper.com, the Government has made it clear that future aid will be tied to improving the rights of gay people in African countries, with Prime Minister David Cameron taking an active role in the issue at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in October.
In response to the plans, Ugandan presidential adviser John Nagenda said last month that Cameron is treating African countries like “childrenâ€. “Uganda is, if you remember, a sovereign state and we are tired of being given these lectures by people,†he said.
Homosexuality is currently punishable with a maximum 14-year prison sentence in Uganda. The controversial Anti-Homosexuality Bill, also known as the “Kill the Gays Billâ€, which sought to impose the death penalty for a second conviction for engaging in gay sex, was dropped in May after worldwide condemnation. But the US-based Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) warned in July an amended bill could be introduced without a direct reference to the death penalty.
Uganda’s president Yoweri Museveni has claimed building railways is more important that improving the rights of gay people, following Western governments’ threats to cut aid to nations discriminating against homosexuals.
Jonny Payne
PinkPaper.com 17 December 2011
Uganda’s president Yoweri Museveni has claimed building railways is more important that improving the rights of gay people, following Western governments’ threats to cut aid to nations discriminating against homosexuals.
Speaking to delegates at a meeting in the Ugandan capital Kampala, Museveni said: “Before anyone gives me a lecture about homosexuals and their rights, first talk about railways,†the BBC reports.
As previously reported by Pinkpaper.com, the Government has made it clear that future aid will be tied to improving the rights of gay people in African countries, with Prime Minister David Cameron taking an active role in the issue at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in October.
In response to the plans, Ugandan presidential adviser John Nagenda said last month that Cameron is treating African countries like “childrenâ€. “Uganda is, if you remember, a sovereign state and we are tired of being given these lectures by people,†he said.
Homosexuality is currently punishable with a maximum 14-year prison sentence in Uganda. The controversial Anti-Homosexuality Bill, also known as the “Kill the Gays Billâ€, which sought to impose the death penalty for a second conviction for engaging in gay sex, was dropped in May after worldwide condemnation. But the US-based Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) warned in July an amended bill could be introduced without a direct reference to the death penalty.