PHUTI MOSOMANE
ON Tuesday, Julius Malema, the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), led a picket outside Uganda’s embassy in Pretoria to protest against the introduction of an anti-homosexuality bill.
The Parliament of Uganda passed a bill criminalizing homosexuality on March 21, which has sparked international outrage and condemnation from various organizations, including the EFF and the United Nations.
Museveni has 30 days to sign the controversial bill into law or reject it.
The EFF urged Museveni not to sign the bill into law.
“We are saying to Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, leave the people the way they are. How are you going to identify that a person is gay? What scientific method are you going to use,” Malema said while addressing EFF supporters outside the Ugandan High Commission in Pretoria.
According to Malema, the EFF is opposed to the oppression of individuals based on their gender, gender expression, or sexual orientation.
“Understanding this, the Economic Freedom Fighters therefore renders concern and rejection over the inhumane, anti-homesexuality bill that was passed by the Ugandan Parliament on the 21st of March 2023,” said Malema.
The anti-homosexuality bill aims to criminalize same-sex relationships and to outlaw individuals who identify as LGBTQI+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex).
According to the EFF, the anti-homosexuality bill reinforces the stigma against the LGBTQI+ community and individuals, leading to violent crimes against innocent people and the victimization of family members or those who identify with the LGBTQI+ community in Uganda.
During the protest, Malema urged Museveni not to sign the “irrational anti-homosexuality bill” that was adopted by the Ugandan Parliament.
“The Ugandan Parliament must embark on an educational tour that will see the elected leaders educated on matters pertaining to gender and sexuality, with a historical context that will highlight the colonial tenets of how homophobia and misogyny are rooted in racism and capitalism,” Malema said.
He expressed gratitude to the EFF supporters for their bravery and unwavering support towards the LGBTQI+ community in Uganda
“The people of Uganda are now saying to you we ask for your solidarity because we are about to be butchered. To Uganda, Leave us out of your stupidity, we are not part of that, we are Africans, and we are with the LGBTQI+ community,” he said.
Ugandan activist and photographer Pappa D also addressed EFF supporters in front of his country’s embassy in Pretoria.
Making homosexuality punishable by death is an egregious violation of human rights, UN experts said last week.
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