US should Respect Ugandan Sovereignty over Anti-Gay Bill.
Member of Parliament from Bubulo contituency John Musira dressed in an anti gay gown gestures as he leaves the chambers during the debate of the Anti-Homosexuality bill, which proposes tough new penalties for same-sex relations during a sitting at the Parliament buildings.
A Ugandan MP who voted in favour of a bill that targets homosexual people has told the BBC that if the US withdrew funding in protest it would amount to “modern genocide”.
The US government has said there could be repercussions should the measure be signed into law by President Yoweri Museveni.
MP Charles Ayume – a medical doctor – told the BBC’s Newsday programme that the US provided vital funding for critical life-saving areas like malaria and HIV. Ending these programmes would be a form of “modern genocide”, Dr Ayume said.
Responding to the US criticism of the bill passed by MPs on Tuesday, Dr Ayume said that Uganda’s sovereignty should be respected.
He added that there were things he objected to in the US, but he did not want to interfere in the politics of that country.
According to the bill, people who identify as gay in Uganda risk life in prison. It also includes the death penalty in certain cases.
Dr Ayume said that in backing the measure, he was representing the views of his constituents.
Source: BBC News
