Oxfam Executive Director, Winnie Byanyima has come out to attack the Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga for leading a permanent ban on debating homosexuality in the International Parliamentary Union (IPU).
In a tweet, Byanyima said: “Shame on Speaker Kadaga for denying vulnerable people rights, in order to gain some popularity.”
On Thursday, the 139th assembly of the International Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Geneva, Switzerland, voted to permanently ban debate on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) subject.
The move was masterminded by the Ugandan delegation that was led by Speaker Rebecca Kadaga.
Uganda’s delegation comprised Ms Mourine Osoru (Arua District), Mr Abdulatif Sebaggala (Kawempe North), Ms Rose Kabagyeni (Kisoro District), Ms Esther Anyakun (Nakapiripirit District), Mr Paul Akamba (Busiki) and Mr Francis Mwijukye (Buhweju).
They were supported by delegates mainly from China, Russia, African and Arabic nations.
689 MPs voted against the proposal while 499 legislators supported it.
The LGBT agenda had been presented to the Assembly to be debated as an emergency item for the next 140th IPU Assembly. This, IPU President, Gabriela Cuevas Barron subjected the matter to a vote by member states.
The question put was on whether the standing Committee on Democracy and Human Rights should hold a panel debate that will lead to a resolution entitled, “The role of Parliaments in ending discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity and ensuring respect for the human rights of LGBT persons”.