By Culton Scovia Nakamya

The NRM Caucus meeting sitting at Kololo independence grounds has resolved that the anti-homosexuality bill 2023 should be sent back to parliament for review.

The resolution has been passed in the presence of the NRM National chairman, also president, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.

On 21^st March 2023, Parliament passed the private member’s bill into law criminalizing any individual who identifies as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or queer.

The law also bans promotion and abetting homosexuality as well as conspiracy to engage in the same.

Once found guilty, the law imposes a death penalty for aggravated homosexuality and life imprisonment for those engaging and promoting the vice.

Prior to passing of the bill, President Yoweri Museveni said he needed scientific interpretation on why people choose to engage in same sex relationships. He has never responded to public inquiries whether the technical consultation was done or yet to.

It has been resolved in the NRM Caucus meeting that president Yoweri Museveni cannot assent to the bill with existing gaps. It is not yet clear what gaps have been singled out by the ruling party MPs.

Since the passing of the bill, President Yoweri Museveni has been under immense pressure from international human rights organizations and individuals not to assent to the bill because it violates human rights.  Other foreign agencies and states have threatened to take serious measures against Uganda, should the president give the bill a final approval.

Senior Journalist Andrew Mwenda and LGBTQ+ rights activist Jaqueline Nabageesera had vowed to seek legal redress should the president sign the bill.

In 2013, parliament passed the anti-homosexuality act. Days after presidential approval, the act was challenged in the constitutional court which quashed it on grounds that parliament lacked the requisite quorum and was therefore illegal.