The speaker of parliament Edward Sekandi has today received a petition from a group of people that comprise AIDS service providers, spiritual mentors and counselors calling for the rejection and withdrawal of the Anti Homosexuality Bill, 2009 from parliament.
The group, which includes prominent AIDS activists like Canon Gideon Byamugisha and Rtd Maj Rubaramira Ruranga, said "We'll lose what we've achieved in the AIDS fight." Pressed to show how the bill would do that, Rubaramira said "Gay infected patients will fear to go for treatment since the law requires the doctors to report the patient within 24 hours."
Byamugisha said, "if the law is passed it will interfere with the constitution which promises freedom from discrimination on grounds of sex, race, color, ethnic origin, and tribe."
'In our well considered opinions', the group said ,' this bill is not about protecting Ugandan culture and tradition as it purports. On the contrary it is violating our cultures, traditions and religious values that teach against intolerance, injustice, hatred and violence'.
Bishop Christopher Senyojo explained that he would consider it unconscionable to report someone who approached him in his capacity as counselor on the grounds of the person's sexuality. Yet his refusal to do so would make him vulnerable to prosecution and imprisonment.
Source: ALLAfrica | Katende Bob Roberts
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