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The Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa has tasked the Prime Minister Robinah Nabanjja, to develop a consistent and clear stance on the Anti-Homosexuality Act for Uganda’s diplomatic missions abroad. He emphasized the need for a unified voice on the act’s discussions, especially as it is being debated internationally.

The Prime Minister, Robinah Nabanjja, has been tasked by the Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa, to create a uniform position on the Anti-Homosexuality Act that will be shared by Uganda’s diplomatic missions overseas.

On Tuesday, July 4, 2023, while serving as the House’s chairman, he issued the order. “The responses are inconsistent. Each embassy is providing its own statement regarding the act, indicating that the government has not developed a single, unambiguous statement. Tayebwa stated, “We base our decisions on what we hear the President or other government leaders stating.

He pointed out the need for a unified voice throughout the act’s talks because some of its components are being discussed on an international scale.

“We heard discussion of the draft Bill when we visited the ACP conference in Brussels. Some people were discussing the one we passed before the President gave it back. Few people were aware of the true Act,” Tayebwa continued.

The Deputy Speaker praised lawmakers for representing Uganda skillfully at the various international gatherings they attend.

“Because parliamentary diplomacy is based on state diplomacy, the Parliament resolved to step it up. The questions that these diplomats are posing to us are sent by their parliaments. As MPs, it is crucial that we always have our country’s interests at heart,” Tayebwa said.

The honorable Patrick Oshabe (NUP, Kassanda County North) requested that time be set aside in the legislative calendar for the debate of regional and international treaties that Uganda is a signatory to because some of these commitments include agreements that we must adopt or ratify, Oshabe added that the minister of foreign affairs “needs to update this House on what they are doing about these obligations.”

Another event is that the Deputy Speaker has given the Prime Minister a week to make a statement regarding the widespread use of DNA testing in the nation.

According to Tayebwa, many children are suffering as a result of DNA test results, with some being expelled from their families and homes.

“We need the Prime Minister to guide the nation on this matter if we have any regulations around it, and see how best we can counsel our people,” he said.

Tayebwa also called for the regulation of DNA testing centres.
“Ugandans are very sharp and soon you will have a DNA laboratory in very corner. We want to know how this is regulated and how it should be handled,” he added.