LGBT demand recognition in HIV/ Aids Bill

   
A group of 25 Homosexual activists has today petitioned and added their voice in the HIV/AIDS bill that is still under scrutiny in parliament.
 
The group of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, transgender and Intersex (LGBT) say that persons living with HIV in Uganda are drawn from all walks of life including the homosexuals.
 
Through their activist leader Kikonyogo Kivumbi, the team noted that HIV has clearly shown itself to be an equal opportunity scourge, which has indiscriminately affected all sectors of Uganda society.
 
Kikonyongo notes that the response to the scourge must be similarly grounded in reality and not morality condemnation. He says that the current bill on HIV/AIDS is based on populism, moral outrage or religious feeling as opposed to being evidence-based and human rights centered.
 
Kikonyogo told the Committee on social services that the bill if passed runs the risk of becoming a driver of the epidemic as opposed to a part of the solution.

//Cue in: keeping….
Cue out: ….right to health.//

Arthur Birungi, a member of Transgender, intersex, transsexuals Uganda, is concerned by the access to health. As a homosexual, he has experienced discrimination while accessing health services.

Health workers in hospitals discriminate by openly asking them which gender they are, some are still scared and shun away from hospitals. The forced testing and disclosure of status is further stigmatise them.

//Cue in: they say….
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Under the Uganda laws, same sex marriages are treated as a crime. This is why activists like Pastor Martin Ssempa are opposed to the recognition of LGBT.
 
Ssempa an HIV and Anti- homosexuality activist for over 20 years notes that the current bill on HIV needs to put up measures that control the spreads of HIV/AIDS.

Condoms, circumcision and other reducing factors need to be stipulated under the law.

//Cue in: but we must …
Cue out:…..future generation is not confused.//

The HIV/AIDS bill introduces troubling provision according to Uganda Human Rights Commission. The Attempted transmission of HIVC in now criminalized will further open doors for abusive prosecutions.
 
 Kagaba Maguru, Commissioner Human Rights Commission says that mandatory testing should be removed from the bill. He also says that mandatory disclosure of the HIV status by health practitioners will infringe on the rights to privacy and confidentiality.
 
The HIV prevention and Control bill is still under the Social Services Committees for scrutiny.