Declaration from strongest personalities of the globe has left Ugandan officials trapped in the web of the proposed Anti-gay Bill.

“There has been a gross-misunderstanding, because this is not a government sponsored bill [Anti-Gay Bill], this is a private member of Parliament who proposed a bill,” said Uganda’s Permanent Representative to the UN Dr Ruhakana Rugunda from New York, when speaking to BBC, News-Night host Kirsty Wark. He added: “The government has not taken a formal position of the matter.”

The Anti-Gay Bill that was tabled in Ugandan Parliament by Ndorwa West MP, David Bahati, aims at forcing a life sentence on homosexuality and the death penalty on aggravated homosexuality, has seen the strongest opposition from world politicians.

Under the proposed draconian bill, encouragement of homosexuality would attract a prison sentence of up to seven years, while anybody failing to report the offence within 24 hours risks imprisonment for up to three years.

Although, it is much supported by Minister of Ethics and Integrity, Nsaba Buturo, however, when pressed for clarification on an earlier statement by a top government official, Dr Rugunda said: “The minister of ethics was speaking as an individual and expressing his views. They were not the views of the cabinet as a whole.”

“I’m not aware of a cabinet meeting that has been held which has approved that this should be fully endorsed and supported by the government,” Dr Rugunda added.

“Well he was still expressing his views and let’s wait for Parliament of Uganda to debate the bill and take position. And let us wait for the government of Uganda to consider the bill and take a position,” said Dr Rugunda.

He added: “Neither the government nor Parliament has taken a decision over the matter. It is still a bill in its very preliminary stages.”

Dr Rugunda, who appeared not clear with Kirsty Wark’s question or else he was caught off-guard. All UK top officials who were in the hallway went into lengthy laughter looking on Dr Rugunda as he pretended not to hear, what Kirsty says although, the rest or the programme was very clear. UK officials including John Prescot had appeared at News Night for a discussion about the Climate Talks in Copenhagen.

Ms Wark had asked Dr Rugunda that; would you like to see this bill [Anti-Gay Bill] passed?

Ms Wark’s question was in reference to what Uganda’s Minister for Ethics, Nsaba Buturo reportedly said. He said: “It is an amazing situation we are now seeing that for the first time in many years, Ugandans have come out to say No, No, to homosexuality. I ask those who want us to promote homosexuality, you and I, are products of man and woman coming together including the homos, they are too a product of man and wife. What is going to happen down the line, if all of us become homosexuals?” Buturo asked, adding “You’re talking about the end of civilization.”

At same programme, encountering Dr Rugunda’s denial of the bill being a government’s, was Michael Senyonjo, a human rights activist. He challenged that: “If you were the ruler in Saudi Arabia, and go on the radio to tell your people to stone every one with a Christian name. Of course it would be a popular policy!”

“This is an immoral bill, it is discriminating, it is unnecessary,” said Senyonjo, adding; “It is an attack on a very, very vulnerable section of our community. We don’t want it in Uganda. We are better off without it.”

Other world leaders and European parliament have also called on Uganda government not to approve the bill. A top official expressed concern that, if this bill is debated and passed, it won’t only affect aid to the country but most likely to draw travel ban on Uganda official in Europe.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said: “We have expressed our concerns directly and indirectly and we will continue to do so. The bill has not gone through the Uganda legislation but has a lot of public support by various groups including religious leaders in Uganda. It has very serious potential of violation of human rights.”

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