Uganda passes new anti-gay law

Uganda’s parliament has passed a new anti-gay law.

The parliament today has decided to ban non-governmental organizations that ‘promote’ homosexuality or provide help for LGBTI people.

Critics have called the  Non-Governmental Organizations Act a ‘major blow’ for Ugandan civil society.

They also have said projects like US-run HIV charity Walter Reed Project, which was raided by police in 2014, will be shut down.

’There are some NGOs who have come here to undermine us, to promote very bad behavior like homosexuality,’ junior internal affairs minister, James Baba has said.

‘As a responsible government we need to check that. [NGOs] will not be able to do that when we pass this law.’

Foreign NGOs will be completely barred from commenting or involving themselves in Ugandan politics. It also allows powers to supervise, approve, inspect, and dissolve any NGOs and will impose severe criminal penalties for violations.

NGOs must ‘not engage in any activity which is…contrary to the dignity of the people of Uganda,’ according to the law.

‘[The law] will obstruct the ability of all Ugandans to work collectively through local and international organizations on any research or advocacy that may be deemed critical of the government,’ said Nicholas Opiyo, executive director of Chapter Four Uganda.

‘Vague and overly broad provisions open the door to silencing peaceful government critics and activists of all sorts.’

Operating without a permit could lead to fines, prosecution, and criminal penalties of between four and eight years in prison for the organization’s directors.

Expected behavior from this lot, how many want to hazard a guess on what the Pope will say when he visits there,,,Now's your chance Francis.