News from Uganda suggests that the Anti-Homosexuality Act signed into law by President Yoweri Museveni in February may be overturned on a technicality. Judges in the beleaguered East African nation have re-examined the Act, coincidentally after the US and other donor nations threatened to withhold aid, and have determined that there was no quorum – a minimum number of MPs present for the legislation to be submitted for the president’s endorsement. Claiming to represent the voice of the people, President Museveni has told CNN homosexuality is “disgusting”, clearly indicating he would be supportive of resubmission.
Even though the Act has been ruled unconstitutional, there is little support for gay rights in this devoutly Christian nation which, along with Nigeria where similar laws have been passed, has been under fire from human rights groups and the international community as a consequence. However, since the ‘anti-gay’ laws have been overruled for a procedural infringement, there is no impediment to Parliament quickly reviving them, especially given Museveni’s recent assertion that Uganda does not need outside assistance. The US, one of Museveni’s most outspoken critics, is also one of Uganda’s biggest supporters, supplying roughly $450 million in aid annually,
Gay rights advocates, including western supporters, are pleased with the court’s decision. Western gay rights activists have accused American evangelicals of promoting bigotry in African countries. This anti-gay movement gained momentum in Uganda in 2009 when American evangelicals pushed legislation to make homosexual acts punishable by death.
Since the legislation was proposed, homosexuals in Uganda have seen an increase in violence, including mob riots and suicide attempts. In early 2011, Ugandan gay rights activist David Kato was beaten to death with a hammer.
Homosexuality is illegal in 37 of 54 African countries, according to Amnesty International.
