Museveni says West ‘wasting time’ with gay rights push

By Agencies

Kampala – Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has accused Western countries of imposing gay rights on African nations as lawmakers in the country prepare to vote on an anti-homosexuality bill.

The bill, introduced earlier this month, proposes tougher penalties for same-sex relations in a country where homosexuality is already illegal.

It has sparked criticism from human rights groups.

In an address to parliament two weeks ago, President Museveni said Western threats of sanctions on African countries opposed to homosexuality were hypocritical because the West also has some “weird cultures”.

“Western countries should stop wasting the time of humanity by trying to impose their practices on other people,” Museveni said.

“Europeans and other groups marry cousins and near relatives. Here, marrying in one’s clan is taboo. Should we impose sanctions on them for marrying relatives? This is not our job,” he added.

Under the proposed law, anyone who engages in same-sex activity or who identifies as LGBT could face death sentence or lifetime imprisonment.

Western governments and aid agencies working in Uganda are routinely accused of “promoting homosexuality” in the country, and have repeatedly defended the LGBT community from attacks related to their identity.

Uganda has not prosecuted anyone for consensual same-sex acts in recent years despite strict anti-gay laws.