Hon. Rev. Fr. Simon Lokodo, Minister Of State For Ethics And Integrity, released a statement aimed at portraying how the government feels about the activities of the LGBT in Uganda.

Lokodo revealed that the government has learnt of the ongoing promotion of activities of the Lesbians, Gay, Bisexuals, and Transgender (LGBT) Movement in Kampala, who with the influence of some foreign forces had organized week-long festivities in different locations in Kampala and Wakiso Districts.

The promotion of these festivities, which would purportedly have culminated in a “Gay Parade” on Saturday 6th August 2016, is criminal and illegal because they had not been cleared by the Uganda Police Force, and are against the laws of the Republic of Uganda; specifically the Penal Code, which is built on precedents, set in many other countries.

Gov’t therefore wishes to emphasize that whereas the promotion of homosexuality is criminalized under the Penal Code, there is no violence against the LGBT community in Uganda – contrary to some claims made loosely by proponents of this movement.

On Thursday 4 August, a group of LGBT members assembled at Venom Pub, Kabalagala, for a meeting without police clearance. Uganda Police was subsequently alerted and the assembly was disbanded and the participants cautioned. No one was hurt or injured during the exercise.

The Penal Code Act of 1950(Chapter 120) (as amended) Section 145. Unnatural offences. States that; “Any person who” –

(a) has carnal knowledge of any person against the order of nature;

(b) has carnal knowledge of an animal; or

(c) permits a male person to have carnal knowledge of him or her against the order of nature, commits an offence and is liable to imprisonment for life.”

Section 146. Attempt to commit unnatural offences states that;

“Any person who attempts to commit any of the offences specified in Section 145 commits a felony and is liable to imprisonment for seven years.”

Section 148 – on indecent practices states that-

“Any person who, whether in public or in private, commits any act of gross indecency with another person who procures another person to commit any act of gross indecency with him or her or attempts to procure the commission of any such act by any person with himself or herself or with another person, whether in public or in private, commits an offence and is liable to imprisonment for seven years.”

In our society, our African values and cultures consider sexual activity to be private and personal, and it is not conducted in public. Certainly, neither is homosexuality.

It is for this reason that the promotion of ‘gay’ activities is unwelcome.

He goes on to say: we have noted that the promotions being held are aimed at mobilizing people to join this LGBT movement, which interestingly goes against the argument that gays are “born” that way. We are aware that there are inducements, including money, being offered to young people to promote the practice.

The Constitution of the Republic of Uganda (as amended) under Article 31(2a), reads: On Rights of the family,

“Marriage between persons of the same sex is prohibited.”

As a country we need to strengthen the defense of our cultural values and our belief systems in order to;

• “Protect the traditional family units from emerging internal and external threats.”
• ” Uphold that same sex attraction is not an innate and immutable characteristic.”
• “Protect the cherished cultural, legal, religious, and traditional family values of the people of Uganda against the attempts of sexual rights activists seeking to impose their values of sexual promiscuity.”
• “Protect the children and youths of Uganda who are made vulnerable to sexual abuse and deviation as a result of cultural changes, uncensored information technologies, parentless child developmental settings and increasing attempts by homosexuals to raise children in homosexual relationships through adoption, foster care, or otherwise.”
• Promote the National Ethical Values Policy, which was approved, endorsed by Cabinet and launched by His Excellency, Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on 8th October 2013. This policy provides for ten values that Ugandans cherish and which is basis for our National aspirations.

Government will not condone the promotion of the illegal activities of the LGBT movement. Through the Uganda Police Force, Government worked to ensure that the criminal and illegal activities of the Gay community were halted and will continue to suppress them.

The organizers of the Gay Parade which had been planned for Saturday 6th August 2016 are advised to stop their activities immediately. The public is called upon to refrain from joining and participating in Gay activities.

The law is clear that the promotion of LGBT Movement activities is criminal in nature and intent, and offensive to the laws of the Republic of Uganda.

“I therefore, call upon all stakeholders, Ministries, Departments, Local Governments and other agencies of Government, Faith Based Organizations, Civil Society Organizations and the Media fraternity to join Government to curb the escalating levels of immorality by upholding and integrating the National Ethical values of Uganda into their daily life and work.”

A program to rehabilitate members of the LGBT Community, with the ultimate aim of giving them a chance to lead normal lives again has been developed.

Government remains committed to ensuring that Ugandans live to their cherished values and principles.

“From my childhood, I have always read about Uganda being the pearl of Africa. My dream was always to get to this beautiful place. My first time in Uganda was in 2010. While on a bus to Soroti, a lady seated next to me drank water from a bottle and threw it out upon finishing. On reaching Soroti, the town was all littered with Rubish,” said Dana Simovic, a Swedish lady behind and initiative to have a clean green Uganda. She was addressing media, Friday.

She says that the rubbish she saw all over the place pushed her into thinking on how she could help Uganda return to the green clean country that she had been reading about.

“I thought of beginning with the young generation to save their future. I knew this was a very big task I was undertaking but once you are doing something that you love, nothing can stop you. But before I could begin anything, I had to first fly back home (Sweden) to draw my plan.”

While here, she told her relatives about her idea “and they all asked, ‘Are you crazy?! You don’t have resources, how will you achieve this?’”

But the lack of funding didn’t stop her from pursuing her dream. She mobilised her resources and returned to Uganda.

At the moment she has managed to convince nine primary schools towards her dream of having a clean green Uganda.

Among these include; Kibuli Demonstration School, Kitebi, Bright and Kabowa Church of Uganda primary schools among others. At these schools, the pupils are taught how keep a clean environment and the benefits of a green environment. They are equipped with urban farming methods, given tools and seeds to plant at their schools.

“We encourage pupils and teachers to plant trees. Some science Teachers use the gardens for teaching purposes like mulching, pruning etc. Dana came with new things. We also got new skills. We never knew the importance of trees apart from firewood and furniture but we now know. But now we are able to grow crops and plant trees. We have been skilled on how to grow crops even those in urban areas. Thank you alot Dana,” said Justine Alowo, a pupil from Kabowa church of Uganda.

She says she has a dream of extending the project to other areas “but it is not an easy thing because it is not about dealing with pupils alone. I have to bring their teachers on board. My dream is to cover all primary schools in Uganda. With the help of Ministry of Education, the number of schools will increase. I believe I am to be here in Uganda forever!”

Since her first trip to Uganda, Dana has been here 18 more trips to and fro Uganda.

Meanwhile, Dana emphasised that her idea is not about farming alone but having a clean environment is her number one priority.

“This is not about farming and planting trees only but it is a healthy program. This generation is to help the future. I am a mother and a grandmother so I have a feeling it’s children who can save their future. Because you have alot of diseases today, if this generation gets a clean environment, the numbers of diseases will have reduced in 20 years from now.”

On why she chose primary pupils for her program, she says that because these will be joining secondly and universities thus taking this knowledge with them. Dana has since been joined by musicians on her initiative. Among these include; Ragga Dee, Producer Washington, Coco Finger, Rema, Jay I, Levixone, Chris Evans among others.
Dana, Washington, Gareth Onyango and pupils who turned up for the conference pose for a group photo

Dana, Washington, Gareth Onyango and pupils who turned up for the conference pose for a group photo

Speaking on behalf of artistes, Washington said that she joined Dana’s project because he found it good for the future of Uganda.

“None of the artistes was paid to be part of the project. Money shouldn’t be the motivation to everything. If we change this mindset, we would be very far. Dana, are you aware I am the most expensive producer in East Africa? You are so lucky that you got me free of charge!” he joked.

The title of the song recorded is called Keep Going.

He added that the main motivation for being part of the project was because he has ever been to Sweden and knows how clean it is. “I would wish the same for even Uganda.”

One of Africa’s biggest universities has secured the services of Makerere researcher, Stella Nyanzi.

The good news was passed to her fans Sunday by herself, indicating she will be joining the third best University in Africa, Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Studies.

According to a recent University ranking, Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Studies ranks 3rd in Africa while Makerere University comes at 25th position.

“I am very excited about starting my Research Fellowship at Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Studies. It is great to join an academic space that values the role of research and researchers in Africa. I am grateful to resume and plunge into producing academic research knowledge without any encumbrances. I was born to do research!”

According to its website, STIAS (The Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study) is situated on the historic Mostertsdrift farm in the heart of Stellenbosch. The idea for such an Institute was first conceived in 2000 and was immediately positively received by the local and international research community.

However, it was only in 2005 when a donation from the Marianne and Marcus Wallenberg foundation enabled STIAS to build a modern research and seminar centre that the Institute came into its own.

Here, sustainable architecture and beautiful, tranquil surroundings have been fused to form a ‘Creative Space For The Mind’ where top researchers and intellectual leaders are nurtured and encouraged to find innovative and sustainable solutions to issues facing the world and in particular the country and the continent of Africa.

To counter the loss of its best minds and promising young leaders, it provides the opportunity for high-level research and intellectual development in an international context. It is attracting some of the world’s leading scholars and researchers and is enjoying international growth and recognition.

Nyanzi’s latest offer comes less than two months following her suspension from Makerere Institute of Social Research after she protested the closure of her office, an act she believed was illegal.