Clause 16

MS BINTU: Mr Chairman, clause 16 is on Special Powers of Commission. I beg to move that the clause is replaced to read as follows:

Powers of Commission
. . .
6. The commission shall not investigate-

a) any matter which is pending before a court or judicial tribunal or is under investigation by another constitutional commission.

b) a matter involving the relations or dealings between the Government of Uganda and the government of any foreign state or international organisation; or

c) a matter relating to the exercise of the prerogative of mercy.

Mr Chairman, in our amendment the following new sub-clause 6 ( d ), is inserted immediately after sub-clause 6 ( c ) to read as follows: any matter involving behaviour which is considered to be-

i) immoral and socially harmful; or

ii) unacceptable by the majority of the cultural and social communities in Uganda.
. . .
MRS BBUMBA: Sir, with that guidance, I withdraw my proposal. On the amendment on immoral behaviour or generally unacceptable conduct by the majority of our people, it is very important that we include that clause. This is because the homosexuals and the like have managed to forge their way through in other countries by identifying with minorities. If it is not properly put in the clause, they can easily find their way through fighting discrimination. They can claim that since they are part of the minority, they can fight against marginalisation.
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MR GAGAWALA WAMBUZI: Thank you, Mr Chairman. I stood up to ask for clarification from the honourable minister and the chairperson of the committee on the issue of morality being incorporated. I want to know whether our ladies may not suffer some inconvenience at some stage particularly on the issues of dress code, which might come up and become a very controversial society issue.

For our ladies in the whole of Uganda, big and small, young and old, this issue of dress code can become serious. Some ladies may want very short skirts, others in Karamoja may want to actually move without anything and others may want to put on -(Interjections)- As I said, I am just wondering whether she is comfortable with it. I wonder whether she has thought through it so that later when it comes, as you know we are following affirmative action and it is really for the ladies, I feel that I need to be made comfortable. Thank you, Mr Chairman.

MS BBUMBA: Mr Chairman, I want to thank my honourable colleague for his concern for their ladies. We have already taken into account those kinds of concerns. What we are trying to do is to ensure that their ladies are not discriminated. If the code of dress is going to be the cause of their discrimination, then that is a matter which is going to be dealt with by the commission.

(Question put and agreed to.)

Clause 16, as amended, agreed to.

At least someone had the sense to question just what morals they were going to follow. An Islamic code could just as easily be instituted on Ugandan women from that basis.

But it is sad to see that when a Ugandan says that ‘homosexuals have no rights’ he really means it. There is no recourse for the gay or lesbian in Uganda. Not even to their Human Rights Commision.
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MS BINTU: Mr Chairman, I propose that a new definition of “sex” be inserted immediately after the definition of “person” as follows: “Sex means the natural state of being male or female.” The justification is that, it might be deliberately misinterpreted to suit some peoples’ interests in case we do not define it here.

DR BUTURO: Mr Chairman, I support the chairperson of the committee on account that these days we have interest groups which are seeking to argue that it is permissible for a man to marry a man or a woman to marry a woman. This is unacceptable to the majority of Ugandans and so, it is essential that any amendment we make provides for that situation.

MRS BBUMBA: Mr Chairman, in view of what is happening globally and what has happened recently in South Africa, I support the amendment.

THE CHAIRMAN: I put the question.

(Question put and agreed to.)

Really scintillating isn’t it? Too bad they don’t know of the fullness of what is natural sex for men and women. I wonder what the old definition of sex was. I haven’t been able to find an old copy of the bill (can’t find a new on either for that matter).
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