Friday, April 9, 2010

The Bill Delayed?

Kampala - A Ugandan parliamentary panel said on Friday there is little backing for the country's widely-condemned anti-gay bill and no timetable had been set for its debate.

"I think it is useless and will not achieve what it intends to achieve," said Alex Ndeezi, a member of the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee tasked with reviewing the bill before it can be presented to the house.

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The panel's chairman Stephen Tashyoba said the draft law was not a priority.

"As far as I am concerned, we really have more urgent matters to discuss like electoral reforms, which are already behind schedule," he said.

- AFP

 
Wow! The views expressed in that brief report are almost revolutionary. You mean killing Uganda's homosexuals is no longer a priority of Uganda's Parliamentarians?
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But, my amazement there is almost as swamped by this Self confensed Journalist and Christian, who like a real Pharisee finds it within his Christian heart to oppose the bill, while really wanting it to pass.
 
I salute you, Mr Journalist and Christian. Because, the utter confusion of your logic is only beaten by the fact that you can get it all together onto a sheet of paper coherently. That is, your confusion. Maybe it is a trick of the mind and you are actually a genius writer? Or a genius thinker?
 
Here is the article in the Monitor. Indeed, they are blind, but they clearly cannot see. [shake of the head]
 
I have re-read it. And, I still cannot make up my mind..... Seems as if the guy is a 'good' Christian, who is trying to give himself a pass to not supporting the bill? Well, I will just decide that he is a genius, and I a minnow who doesnt understand him at all...!
--
 
Maybe, to the condenscending Christian above, I should send this article about our very own private demons.

 

Gay Indian professor found dead after students filmed him having sex

 

Very sad. Very sad indeed. But, they were just having fun? the students. Or, they were doing a Christian thing opposing homosexuality?

 

Sometimes it is sad to say what is or is not happening.

 

The South African President, Zuma, has sent an ally of his who is a confirmed homophobe to Uganda as ambassador. High Commissioner, the term is. How sensitive of big brother South Africa!

 

SOUTH AFRICA – 09 April 2010:  Jon Qwelane's appointment as the new High Commissioner in Uganda has been confirmed, leaving much speculation about the hate speech case brought against him by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) last year.

Johannes van Niekerk, Counselor of the South African High Commission in Uganda confirmed his appointment while the Ugandan embassy stated "We can confirm that there is a new high commissioner but we are not sure on the name."

Van Niekerk added, "We are still waiting for him to hand over his credentials to Mr Museveni, he should assume duties in a month or so.

 
Of course, there is no reason to worry about the guy's feeling at home. First, Ssempa will get a breakfast appointment, since he also believes what he wrote...

 

'Call me, names but gay is not okay," where he boldly expressed sheer hatred of gay people saying they are "degradation of values and traditions", also associating homosexuality to bestiality,
 
You know what they say of 'birds of a feather?'... [snicker, will Ssempa all of a sudden find that he doesnt really love the new South African High Commissioner? Will he deny writing an 'open letter' to Zuma, welcoming the new ambassador, and threatening sanctions if he was not the one appointed?]
 
On a lighter note, the National Association of the Social Workers of Uganda came out with a lunatic statement supporting the bill. Condemnation was not long in coming. The International Federation has already condemned them. Now, here is a statement from the Canadian Association.

 

The Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) strongly condemns the Anti-Homosexuality Bill currently before the Ugandan Parliament and firmly rejects the position taken by the National Association of Social Workers of Uganda (NASWU) to support the bill.

CASW condemns any move that perpetuates and advances positions on homosexuality that run contrary to the principles and values of the social work profession and international conventions and treaties. Specifically, social workers do not tolerate discrimination based on age, abilities, ethnic background, gender, language, marital status, national ancestry, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation or socio-economic status. 

 "CASW cannot go far enough in condemning these actions," said CASW President Darlene MacDonald. "Upholding basic human rights is not an option for social workers, but rather an ethical responsibility. The CASW Code of Ethics commits social workers to upholding human rights as enshrined in Canadian law as well as to international conventions on human rights created or supported by the United Nations."

 
The national Ugandan thing? It was lunacy. Of the highest order. Which makes me ask the pertinent question, Why did it occur?
 
Now, I do have to run.
 
First, I figure out the title of the post though. Which means re-reading it....!
 
Oh, I had... Which is ok.
 
Have a great day.
 
 
gug

4 comments:

spiralx said...

For a Ugandan Christian, this comes closer to the general Christian POV than anything that the viciously nasty pseudo-Christians in this country have so far managed!

You can't expect him to overcome his ignorance of the science, or any experience of sexual diversity. Like most African religious, he doesn't have access to the info, and would probably battle to acknowledge an actual gay person in his life.

So, good on him for getting out there in print about Bah!-Hate's 'Nazification' Bill. Regardless of how much better he could have argued it.

Anonymous said...

gug!!! I have to congratulate you!!! homophobia and Ignorance will remain, but what we know now is that the world came to the defense of a minority group of people in a little country in Africa, non of this would have been possible without the relentless and persistent efforts to fight this tyranny from the inside.
I wholeheartedly salute you! You have my respect.
The war may not be over, but this David Vs Goliath style battle has been concluded with at most a victory, or at least a draw!!
From a Ugandan living in the USA.

Jean-Paul, Canada said...

Ssempa and Bahati...what a pair. They should be stripped of their titles and made to live like ordinary Ugandans.

spiralx said...

Good to see that the UK have promised to ban Bah!-Hate! from entering that country if the Kill Bill goes through.

Gug, wherefore art thou?

All days are nights to see till I see thee,
And nights bright days when dreams do show thee to me.

It's been a long time now...

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