Uganda has over the past few years been recognised for its disciplinary act against homosexuality. An anti homosexuality bill was passed in 2014 to punish whoever is involved or trying to encourage homosexuality in the country. The objectives outlined in the Bill are meant to: provide for marriage in Uganda as that contracted only between a man and a woman, prohibit and penalize homosexual behavior and related practices in Uganda as they constitute a threat to the traditional family.
The bill also prohibits ratification of any international treaties, conventions, protocols, agreements and declarations which are contrary or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act and prohibit the licensing of organizations which promote homosexuality.
Recently, Uganda’s media council has banned a film because it “glorifies homosexuality”, the Dutch embassy has said. The major reasons explained for its ban were ‘Steamy romance’ and ‘lurid language’ which were frequently visible in the film.
It was also confirmed that made in the Netherlands film, “The Dinner Club” also contains “steamy sex scenes”; “lurid language”; and “smoking especially by women”. The film obviously viewed homosexuality as legal which automatically counters the law of Uganda.
In the film, “While glorifying homosexuality, two women said marriage (presumably to men) is hard work! This is against Ugandan values,” the council added in its rejection letter. It claimed the dinner club formed by the women in the film “is in reality a sort of brothel”. The council also objected to one man in the film calling another man a “hot chick”. They have banned it from being screened in the country as a result.
Similarly, the Dutch embassy, which posted the list of objections on Facebook, said it “deplores” the decision to ban the film and would withdraw from participating in the festival .
Many Ugandan however as shown their support for the bill, protesting against homosexuals. Deutsche Presse-Agentur reported, “The protesters, led by born-again clerics, muslims, cultural leaders, and university undergraduates, marched to the parliament where they presented a petition.”
In addition, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said the bill was needed because the West is promoting homosexuality in Africa.
The Ugadan anti-homosexual law calls for first-time offenders to be sentenced to 14 years in jail. It sets life imprisonment as the maximum penalty for “aggravated homosexuality”.
In line with this, Uganda has declared its country as homosexual free. The government has stated that homosexuality is against its values, culture, moral and ethics. Therefore, whoever is involved in such act will be severely punished.
