The assenting to law of the Anti-Homosexuality Act by Ugandan President Yoweri Kagta Museveni has been received with mixed reactions within and without Africa while exposing the underbelly of the United States of America diplomacy and democracy.
This has elicited more resolute reactions from the West. They claim to be championing democratic values while seemingly interfering with the internal affairs of sovereign states across the globe. The ongoing debate on same-sex relationships and growing pressure from the West is unfortunate, to say the least.
The US, known as a protagonist of democracy, should adhere to its own principles by respecting the democratic choices made by other nations. It is wrong for the US to advocate democracy while at the same time attempting to suppress the same in other countries.
Threatening to sanction Uganda is a classic example of the US trying to go against what it has been preaching for years. The West should respect our democratic space and support our decisions within the tenets of international relations.
For many years, Kenya has taken an ambiguous stand on LGBTQ but I am glad that President William Ruto made a categorical and clear stand on the matter. The Head of State was categorical early this year that same-sex relationships will not be accepted in the country despite the mounting pressure from quarters he did not reveal.
This followed a decision by the Supreme Court of Kenya that dismissed an appeal by the government to bar the registration of an LGBTQ lobby group. While some Kenyans and lawmakers are against the action taken by the President, it is prudent to agree that we ought not to ape everything that happens in other countries.
Our laws, culture and traditions prohibit the practice of same-sex relationships. As a people, there are values we hold so dear in our society and acts of homosexuality are alien to us. Hence, other nations should not force us to support something that we consider abomination. Additionally, this practice is anti–biology and is abhorred by our religion.
In any case, nature gave us the capacity to procreate. It is unwise to practice that which does not further the future of our country. And if I may ask, why don't these countries pressurise the Arab countries, which have even harsher anti-gay legislation?
Even if you do not agree with a country’s standpoint, civilised diplomacy dictates that you respectfully disagree, not resort to sanctions.
Our legislators need to streamline our laws in regard to LGBTQ because as it stands now, our laws talk of unnatural offences but do not define the scope of it. A time has come for us as a country to anchor this in our Constitution.
At the same time, we need to ask ourselves whether in this era when civil unions are increasingly being legalised in other countries, we are ready for such.
And since both the political and religious leaders have aired their concerns on same-sex relationships, it is time for us to have a defined position on this matter. We cannot continue to take an abstruse stand on this matter, which has elicited global debate. This is long overdue.
For the dignity of the founding fathers of our beloved country and values and beliefs, the issue of LGBTQ requires a concerted effort between the political class and religious institutions to come up with a framework on this matter without coercion.
We should lay a good foundation for future generations the same way those who fought for our independence of this beloved country did.
Commissioner, Parliamentary Service Commission
