"Homosexuals are a deviation from the norm," Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said in an address to the nation Thursday, March 16. " For what ? Is it innate or learned? We must answer these questions,” added the head of state, who is calling for an investigation into homosexuality, as parliamentarians in this conservative East African country prepare to pass an anti-gay bill. -LGBT. “We need medical advice on this. We need to really discuss it,” he continued.
The bill – which was referred to a parliamentary committee in early March – proposes heavy penalties for people in same-sex relationships, sparking opposition from human rights organizations. In Uganda, ruled since 1986 by Mr. Museveni, homosexuality is already illegal.
The text provides for up to ten years in prison for anyone engaging in homosexual activities or claiming to be LGBTQ. It is due to be discussed in parliament next week, with a vote possibly as early as Tuesday, March 21.
Dark international forces accused of promoting homosexuality
It comes at a time when conspiracy theories on the subject abound on social media, accusing dark international forces of promoting homosexuality in Uganda. "Western countries should stop wasting humanity's time by trying to impose their practices on others," Museveni said during his speech, which was boycotted by all but one of the opposition parliamentarians.
“Europeans and other groups marry cousins and close relatives. Here, marrying into one's clan is taboo. Should we impose penalties on them for marrying relatives? It's not our job. »
Uganda has strict anti-homosexuality legislation – a legacy of colonial laws – but since the country's independence in 1962 there have been no prosecutions for consensual homosexual acts.
In 2014, a Ugandan court blocked a bill approved by MPs and signed by President Museveni to punish same-sex relations with life in prison. This text had caused an outcry beyond Ugandan borders, some rich countries having suspended their aid after its presentation to Parliament.
