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Uganda pro-gay groups face ban by ethics minister Lokodo | Uganda pro-gay groups face ban by ethics minister Lokodo |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Uganda plans to ban 38 non-governmental organisations it accuses of promoting homosexuality, the Minister for Ethics and Integrity Simon Lokodo has said. | Uganda plans to ban 38 non-governmental organisations it accuses of promoting homosexuality, the Minister for Ethics and Integrity Simon Lokodo has said. |
"I have got a record of meetings that they have held to empower, enhance and recruit [homosexuals]," Mr Lokodo told Reuters. | "I have got a record of meetings that they have held to empower, enhance and recruit [homosexuals]," Mr Lokodo told Reuters. |
The minister has not named which groups are on the list for de-registration. | The minister has not named which groups are on the list for de-registration. |
Homosexual acts are illegal in Uganda and a bill proposing increasing jail terms to life is before parliament. | Homosexual acts are illegal in Uganda and a bill proposing increasing jail terms to life is before parliament. |
'Beyond reasonable doubt' | 'Beyond reasonable doubt' |
Uganda is a largely conservative society and many people condemn homosexuality both as unAfrican and unChristian. Gay people have faced physical attacks, losing their jobs and social rejection. | |
In recent years some gay rights groups have been set up in the country. | |
Mr Lokodo has submitted the list of groups he wants banned to the internal affairs ministry. | Mr Lokodo has submitted the list of groups he wants banned to the internal affairs ministry. |
"I have investigated and established beyond reasonable doubt that these NGOs have been involved in the promotion and recruitment in terms of the 'gay' issues," he told the AFP news agency. | "I have investigated and established beyond reasonable doubt that these NGOs have been involved in the promotion and recruitment in terms of the 'gay' issues," he told the AFP news agency. |
"The sooner we can do this the better," he added. | "The sooner we can do this the better," he added. |
The minister says the organisations are receiving foreign support for Uganda's homosexuals and accused gay people of "recruiting" young children into homosexuality, Reuters reports. | The minister says the organisations are receiving foreign support for Uganda's homosexuals and accused gay people of "recruiting" young children into homosexuality, Reuters reports. |
On Monday, police raided a gay rights conference being held at a hotel just outside the capital, Kampala. | |
Gay activists from around the region were detained for a few hours. | |
Earlier this year, an MP retabled a controversial anti-gay bill - it was originally submitted in 2009 but never debated after sparking international condemnation. | Earlier this year, an MP retabled a controversial anti-gay bill - it was originally submitted in 2009 but never debated after sparking international condemnation. |
It proposes increasing the penalties in Uganda for homosexual acts, which are illegal, from 14 years in jail to life. | It proposes increasing the penalties in Uganda for homosexual acts, which are illegal, from 14 years in jail to life. |
It also states that organisations found guilty of the "promotion" of homosexuality will be stopped from working. | It also states that organisations found guilty of the "promotion" of homosexuality will be stopped from working. |
David Bahati, the MP behind the proposed legislation, says a clause proposing the death penalty will be dropped. | David Bahati, the MP behind the proposed legislation, says a clause proposing the death penalty will be dropped. |
It originally said those found guilty of "aggravated homosexuality" - defined as when one of the participants is a minor, HIV-positive, disabled or a "serial offender" - would face the death penalty. | It originally said those found guilty of "aggravated homosexuality" - defined as when one of the participants is a minor, HIV-positive, disabled or a "serial offender" - would face the death penalty. |
Western donors have recently said they could withdraw aid from those countries, including many in Africa, which do not recognise gay rights. |
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