During the NRM Parliamentary Caucus Retreat held at the National Leadership Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi District, President Museveni defended Uganda’s recently enacted Anti-Homosexuality Act. He asserted that the country would remain steadfast in upholding its values and would not yield to intimidation or threats.
The retreat, attended by over 400 NRM Caucus members, including NRM-leaning Independents, Vice President Maj (Rtd) Jessica Alupo, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, and NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong, provided an opportunity for President Museveni to express his support for the fight against homosexuality.
Initially, President Museveni had sent the bill back to Parliament for amendment. He explained that after extensive analysis with the Parliamentary Committee on Legal Affairs, three positions were identified, leading to the clarification and amendment of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, 2023.
The President emphasized that individuals who are psychologically disoriented should not be punished or criminalized for their condition. He likened it to a sickness and urged the Members of Parliament to make it clear in the law that mere suspicion or being suspected of homosexuality cannot be criminalized.
President Museveni mentioned that an official from the World Bank raised concerns about two aspects of the current law. The official questioned the requirement for employers to ensure there are no homosexuals in their company and penalizing landlords for renting to homosexuals. The President suggested that these issues should be revisited and resolved.
“If that is there, then we should sort it out. So, these are the two areas which you should check again,” Mr Museveni said, before adding that the NRM is clear about its anti-gay stance.
“What we tell you in the day is what we shall tell you in the night. Therefore, the signing is finished, nobody will move us. The other time when I met you at Kololo, I said you people should be ready for a war. And you cannot fight a war when you are a pleasure seeker if you like a soft life. So, war is not for soft life,” the President said.
Reaffirming the NRM’s stance against homosexuality, President Museveni emphasized that the signing of the Anti-Homosexuality Act was final and that the party would not be swayed.
He stated that those seeking a soft life should not engage in a battle and reiterated that homosexuality was historically considered a private matter in Africa.
President Museveni shared that when the issue emerged in 2014, he conducted a study to understand the root causes of homosexuality. The conclusion reached was that homosexuality is a psychological disorientation rather than a genetic or hormonal condition.
He described it as a sickness where individuals, due to certain experiences, develop a hatred for those they should love and love those they should not.