Yesterday, Members of Uganda's Parliament cheered Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga for her role in "consistently upholding and protecting Uganda's cultural values" at international forums. In October, the Ugandan delegation led by Rebecca Kadaga prompted the move in opposition of any further discussions that concerned LGBT matters at the Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) summit held in Geneva. This was after a question was raised on whether the standing committee on Democracy and Human Rights could hold a debate on "The role of parliaments in ending discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity and ensuring respect for the Human Rights of LGBT persons”. The motion was depleted after various representatives especially from fellow African and Arab states voted against the proposal in support of the Ugandan MPs.
According to the Insider (14th November 2018), the Bufumbira East MP Nsaba Buturo proposed a motion to acclaim Kadaga for her stance against what was termed as "barbaric acts of homosexuality" at the international forum. He went on to insist that parliament should persuade the government to deal firmly with NGO entities that support LGBT rights in Uganda. In support of Buturo's motion, Hon Okot Ogong praised Kadaga for being consistent in the fight against homosexuality and acknowledged her for not being a chameleon like most politicians. Part of the 27 parliamentarians that contributed to this motion included Hon Gilbert Olanya of Kilak South county, Hon Alum Santa of Oyam district, Hon Mwijukye Francis of Buhwenju county, Hon Joy Atim Ongom of Lira district and Hon Annet Nyakecho of Tororo North County.
In a plenary session that lasted for one hour, Hon Mwijukye emphasized that homosexuality is not a human right but a sickness. Even Minister of State for Housing, Dr Chris Baryomusi strongly opposed arguments that homosexuality is inborn and that “the behavior” should be rejected. The MPs also intensified pressure to reintroduce the pending anti-gay bill soon. In her own words, Hon Joy Atim Ongom said, "In the ninth Parliament, we missed the opportunity of legislating against homosexuality because of issues of quorum. I request that this law be brought back so that we show the world that homosexuality is not needed."
Well as parliamentarians instigate plans to reintroduce this law in the country, the LGBT community still lives the negative impacts of when it was initially passed in August 2014. There has also been a recent surge in human rights violations against sexual minorities despite the fact that most cases are not reported. In July 2018, Kuchu Times ran a story about RainBow Mirrors Uganda being evicted from their former office premises in Bunamwaya. While others suspected by close neighbors or the public are still chased out of their homes, most LGBT persons still risk being disowned by their families once they are revealed. In addition to the continued arbitrary arrests, hate crimes, loss of job and education opportunities, there has been an influx of Ugandan LGBT refugees leaving the country in search for places of relief in Kenya and other foreign countries.
