In the wake of the United States’ decision to impose a visa ban on 348 Members of Parliament (MPs) who supported Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023, Speaker of Parliament Anitah Among has staunchly defended the controversial legislation.
Despite facing a rejection of her own visa request, she expressed unwavering pride in the enactment of the law and extended gratitude to the President for his support.
“We don’t regret passing this law, and I want to thank the President for really assenting to this law. I am proud and happy with what the President did,” asserted Among during plenary on Wednesday afternoon.
Brushing off the visa cancellation, she rhetorically questioned, “My visa was cancelled, have I died? So long as you don’t cancel the visa to Bukedea and Buyende, I have my home. I will go there freely.”
Speaker Among, in her retort, dismissed concerns about the U.S. blacklist, urging fellow citizens not to worry while emphasizing the paramount importance of protecting the family and the rights of children.
The recent visa restrictions by the U.S. government prompted defiant responses from MPs.
Asuman Basalirwa, the MP who moved the Anti-Homosexuality Act, refuted recent statements by NUP President Robert Kyagulanyi, denying allegations that President Museveni influenced MPs to pass the law.
Basalirwa urged MPs to stand firm against intimidation, asserting that forces promoting homosexuality wield significant financial and influential clout.
“I am also aware that forces behind promoting homosexuality are very strong. They have money and influence. And I know that some of our colleagues are under pressure. There is a lot of pressure, there is a lot of intimidation. These forces from Britain, America have come to my office and I have engaged them, they are looking for allies,” said Basalirwa.
Adding that : “As a country, we must stand on the ground. God who created us will make us survive, this idea of saying we are cutting aid, we don’t go to America, Britain, yes it is their right. But nobody should determine how we think,”
Other MPs echoed strong support for the Anti-Homosexuality Act, with Jonathan Ebwalu, the Soroti West Division MP going as far as declaring his readiness to shed blood in defense of the legislation.
“Our people told us go and pass the Anti-Homosexuality Bill and we did. Those who don’t want that law let them leave our country they go and live in the United Kingdom or United States. But this law, we are going to protect it with our blood, sweat and our souls. If they want to cut their aid, let them cut, but we are going to defend this law,” he said
Samuel Opio emphasized that African values are not for sale, rejecting what he termed as “cultural colonization.”
“African values aren’t for sale, whether at wholesale price or retail price. We shall stand by these values and we shall not allow this cultural colonisation.” he said
David Bahati, Minister of State for Industry, criticized Kyagulanyi’s accusations against President Museveni as reckless.
Chris Baryomunsi, Minister of ICT and National Guidance, accused Kyagulanyi of attempting to appease the gay community for financial gain.
“Nobody should be intimidated by these threats by the international actors, if they cherish homosexuality, let them cherish it. But for us as Ugandans we don’t. MPs, advise your leaders, yes you may talk sweet to get money from homosexuals, but I don’t think that is correct,” remarked Baryomunsi.
Meanwhile, the opposition Justice Forum (JEEMA) party led by Basalirwa this week weighed in, urging NUP leader Robert Kyagulanyi to retract his statement concerning the Anti-Homosexuality Act.
JEEMA expressed disappointment with Kyagulanyi’s claim that the law was enacted to oppress the opposition rather than in the interest of the Ugandan populace.
During an interview with international broadcaster, BBC, Kyagulanyi claimed that the law passed by over 90% of Members of Parliament was not done in the interest of Ugandans, but as a tool to oppress the opposition.