Members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender community in the East African nation argue that the recent announcement by parliament worsened living conditions for them in the nation that already deemed same-sex relations as a punishable offense.
Eric Ndawula, a 26-year-old gay man said he recently appeared in a video that was published online where he openly spoke about his sexuality.
Ndawula adds that his landlord confronted him after watching the video and thereafter issued a notice of eviction, saying the building could not accommodate a gay person.
“I am now a threat to the children around because I am going to recruit them into homosexuality,” said Ndawula as he spoke ironically.
Cuthbert Abigaba, the lawmaker leading the parliamentary investigation said he was “not bothered by whatever they (LGBT community) say.”
The East African lawmaker added that the investigation was needed because children were being introduced to homosexuality in schools through recruitment and reading materials, an allegation made with no supporting evidence.
“The committee will begin visiting schools and conducting interviews once the parliament speaker provides terms of reference,” he said.
Frank Mugisha, an LGBT activist whose charity was closed by authorities last year said members of the community he is defending are living in fear.
“People have gone back into hiding, people have gone back into the closet … people are getting arrested,” said Mugisha.
“There’s a lot of blackmail and extortion by law enforcers,” he added.
Asuman Basalirwa, a member of parliament in the East African nation Tuesday reported a receiving a leave from the legislative body to prepare a new anti-LGBT law that he said would criminalize a range of activities, including “aiding, abetting, promoting, recruitment (of people) into homosexuality.”
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