By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
NATIONAL
Authorities in Kasese district, southwestern Uganda have refuted as baseless falsehoods and misrepresentation reports that the council is seeking to pass by-laws recognizing homosexuals and transgenders as marginalized groups.
On Wednesday, (January 25), the deputy speaker Thomas Tayebwa shocked parliament when he said that attempt by Kasese municipal council to back homosexuality contravenes national laws and that it must be stopped.
“I received reports that Kasese municipal council made an attempt to pass a bylaw that recognizes homosexuals and transgender people and as minorities. I want to make it very clear, there is no local government that can pass a bylaw that contravenes national laws.” Tayebwa said
The Kasese municipal Council Mayor, Chance Kahinda however, said that Kasese municipal council has never approved the bill that recognizes same-sex laws as reported in media.
In a statement released on Thursday, 26 January, 2023, which was seen by Parrots Media, the mayor explained that the council was early last year engaged by a Human Rights Promotions Awareness Forum – HRPAF, NGO for promotion of human rights for key populations that would result into the bylaws on access to HIV/TB services in the municipality.
He added that through consultative and legislation processes, they discovered that the contents and citations of the bills provided fertile grounds for transgenders and homosexual practices.
“Immediately, the contents and citations were removed/rejected from the bill. The HIV/TB Bill has never been approved by Kasese Municipal Council neither forwarded for guidance by the solicitor general as bylaw,” read excerpts of the statement.
Mayor Kahinda disassociated the council from the reports stating that the council is committed to defend and protect the constitution, promote religious and traditional cultural values without any reservations. He expressed willingness to support government and other stakeholders in the fight against homosexuality and transgender vices in Kasese district.
Tayebwa on Wednesday directed the minister of internal affairs to investigate the activities of Human Rights Promotions Awareness Forum – HRPAF on alleged sponsorship of the council sitting to pass the bylaw.
