Only 2 Ugandan MPs opposed the passing of a stricter anti-gay law which will see offenders, abettors face life sentence while promoters will be handed two decade in cells as punishment.
389 legislators physically voted while four dozens followed the debate via online (zoom).
The bill passed Tuesday, awaits President Museveni’s approval to be effected.
Unlike in 2014 when Parliament presided over by Hon Rebecca Kadaga passed the law which would later be challenged in Court for lack of quorum, this time Speaker Anita Among made a roll call prior to voting to ensure there were enough numbers to pass the law which prohibits same-sex activities in Uganda.
Activists have recently amplified voices blasting the Bill as “a human rights violation.”
“We recognize that the constitution contains non-derogable rights and in this process, the House has striven to recognize those rights…but the norms and aspirations of the people of Uganda will always remain supreme,” Speaker Among emphasized.
Shortly after the start of Tuesday’s 6-hour long plenary, ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party MP Fox Odoi who presented the minority report had led charges against passing the legislation.
“It contains provisions that are unconstitutional, reverses the gains registered in the fight against gender-based violence and criminalizes individuals instead of conduct that contravenes legal provisions,” he said during plenary.
