Members of the gay community in Uganda want the anti-homosexuality law 2014 re-tabled in Parliament.

George Oundo, the chairperson of the gay community in Uganda, petitioned the Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, saying that the Bill will help create awareness about the sexual orientation.

“If this Bill is re-tabled, it will help expose the extent of the moral breakdown especially with the children and the youth. We aim at promoting moral and spiritual values since they are just recruited and not born as gays or lesbians,” Oundo said.

The gay community requested for a meeting with the President to explain their experiences during the period they practiced homosexuality.

“After the Bill was annulled we were scheduled to meet with the President but this did not happen. We are requesting that we get to meet him and we explain the pain we are going through medically and also the stigma we face from the community,” he said.

The Speaker said that she would arrange for a meeting with the President. “I am very interested to know what the courts of law in Kenya ruled in a similar case. As for meeting with the President, I shall make sure I schedule a meeting with him and share your plight,” Kadaga said.

The Uganda Anti-Homosexuality Act, 2014 was passed by Parliament on 20 December 2013 with life in prison substituted for the death penalty. Whereas it was signed into law by President Yoweri Museveni on 24 February 2014, the Constitutional Court on 1 August 2014 annulled the law citing that it was passed without the required quorum in the House.

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President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni took to his social media in response to the sadening news of the death of Uganda’s former Prime Minister the Late Prof. Apollo Nsibambi to express his sorrow.

In a message on his Facebook page, the President stated that;

“I have, with a heavy heart, learnt of the untimely passing of the former Prime Minister, Prof Apolo Nsibambi. He was a true patriot and great academic. The country will miss him. I have instructed Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda to lead a team that will ensure we give Prof Nsibambi a befitting send-off. May his soul rest in peace.” – H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.

This follows the passing of Prof. Apollo Nsibambi who has been ill. May his soul Rest in Peace

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Cabinet has approved the National Intellectual Property Policy 2019, according to the statement ready by government spokesperson on Ofwono Opondo who addressed journalists on Tuesday at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala.

The document approved yesterday is expected to provide an enabling environment for stimulating innovation and creativity by protecting original works of innovators but also is envisaged to attract foreign direct investments, “A strong IP system it will encourage economic growth due to advancement in technology,” adds the statement.

It will also support establishment of comprehensive Public and Private institutional IP frame works for administration ,protection, commercialization and enforcement of IP rights , thus ensuring delivery of IP services to all stake holders; ensure effective IP rights enforcements: this will be achieved through building collaborations and strengthening linkages between different IP administrative and enforcement entities;

Further it will promote research and development; facilitate more active and comprehensive promotion of IP awareness through appropriate short training programs and generate effective and beneficial linkages between National and International IP systems as well as set a policy direction in Regional and International relations in respect of Intellectual Property.

The approval of the policy comes at the time when Uganda has no strict enforcement of the laws to protect (IPRs).

Analysts say Intellectual Property System should encourage and motivate inventors of inventions and creators of designs through protecting their rights, and instill confidence in the maintenance of business activities related to trademarks. “Without a proper system for both enforcing rights and also enabling the grant of rights to others to be resisted, an Intellectual Property System is devoid of value,” they say.

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The Anglican Church has joined the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) in the campaign aimed at urging the faithful not to carry with them the single use polythene bags (Kaveera) to the Anglican Shrine at Namugongo as Uganda celebrates Martyrs’ Day on June 3, 2019.

Speaking at the Shrine, Rt. Rev. Bishop Stephen Kazimba Mugalu of Mityana Diocese, the Chairperson Chairman Namugongo church of Uganda said the five dioceses of Luwero, Mukono, West Buganda, Central Buganda and Mityana in conjunction were pleased to announce the partnership with NEMA, NBS, vivo Energy, Coca Cola in the campaign against Kaveera in and around the shrine and the entire nation.

“Pilgrims are therefore encouraged to carry items in reusable bags and alternative supply of re-usable bags will be available at the premises,” he said. He lauded NEMA, Vivo energy and NBS for availing 95 dustbins to help in disposal of the plastics during the celebrations expected to attract thousands of people.

He said much as single use plastic bags are convenient, their outcomes are so dangerous to environment particularly soil as it takes years to decompose.

The Director of Public Education in NEMA, Dr. Daniel Babikwa said, “When people talk about environment and cleanness, they ask themselves where NEMA is. This an opportunity for us to know that environmental management is a responsibility of every individual because the dangers that emerge out of it affect each of us. We are happy that different partners have joined hands to have one voice that we need a cleaner environment,” he said.

Last week, The Catholic Church in partnership with the NEMA also urged the faithful to keep the Catholic Shrine at Namugongo free of Kaveera during the celebrations of the Martyrs Day.

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