Uganda : Opposition To African Caribbean And Pacific- European Union (ACP-EU) Agreement On Homosexuality

By Samuel Ouma [caption id="attachment_101880" align="alignnone" width="750"] Ugandan Parliament deputy speaker Thomas Tayebwa[/caption] Ugandan Parliament deputy speaker Thomas Tayebwa has revealed that the country opposes the ACP-EU Agreement, which contains clauses promoting homosexuality and abortion. Tayebwa spoke at the 61st session of the African, Caribbean, and Pacific States Parliamentary Assembly and the 42nd Session of the ACP-European Union Joint Parliamentary Assembly (ACP-EU JPA) in Maputo, Mozambique on Monday, October 31, 2022. He told delegates attending the African Caribbean and Pacific- European Union summit that there is a need for the Cotonou Agreement to define human rights in relation to homosexuality broadly. "We have discovered that with the Post Cotonou agreement, there are hidden clauses concerning human rights. Clauses to do with sexuality, promotion of LGBT/homosexuality, and clauses to do with abortion," he said. "We are a society that is not ready for homosexuality, and we are a society that is not ready for abortion. As Africa, we believe that the institution of the family is at the core of whatever we are doing," Tayebwa said, adding that, 'the EU is demanding that we take a certain root; they should also know the character of our society. The ACP-EU Partnership Agreement is a revised extension of the 20-year Cotonou Partnership Agreement signed in 2000 governing trade and economic relations between the EU and all 48 Sub-Saharan African countries, 16 Caribbean countries, and 15 Pacific countries (ACP). Tayebwa is leading a delegation of MPs, including Hon. Theodore Ssekikubo (Lwemiyaga County), Hon. Cecilia Ogwal (Dokolo District), Hon. Maurice Kibalya (Bugabula South), Hon. Elijah Okupa (Kasilo County), Dr. Samuel Opio (Kole North), and Hon. Lucy Akello (Amuru District). On her part, Cecilia Ogwal said Africa is not comfortable with the EU's conditions on sexual orientation and abortion. "We are all geared up to make sure that whatever decision we take, it is in the interest of the people whom we represent,” said Ogwal. Meanwhile, President Filipe Nyusi of Mozambique commended the organization for its prime role in its member states' economic and social development. He called on participating member states to focus more on the climate agenda and how to deal with risks related to natural disasters. The ACP–EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly was created to bring together the elected representatives of the European Parliament and the elected representatives of the African, Caribbean, and Pacific states that have signed the Cotonou Agreement.