Debate homosexuality â€" envoy
Oct 19, 2004
A Dutch diplomat in Kampala has said Uganda should open debate on homosexuals and lesbians in the country
By Herbert Ssempogo
A Dutch diplomat in Kampala has said Uganda should open debate on homosexuals and lesbians in the country.
“Uganda should start debate on this issue because these people are here and you will not take them away,†Francesco Mascini said on Monday.
Mascini, the first secretary at the royal Netherlands embassy, said they had received information that some gays were being tortured in some detention centres.
He was speaking at the launch of the Uganda Human Rights Comm-ission (UHRC) annual report at Hotel Africana.
Mascini said his country recognised gays about 40 years ago and was treating them as equal and respected human beings.
He, however, cautioned the UHRC to handle matters of homosexuals and lesbians cautiously.
UHRC Commissioner Constantine Karusoke said they had received petitions from some gay groups but they wanted to handle them with care.
“It is true some people have complained but we want to handle the matter cautiously,†he said.
A Dutch diplomat in Kampala has said Uganda should open debate on homosexuals and lesbians in the country.
“Uganda should start debate on this issue because these people are here and you will not take them away,†Francesco Mascini said on Monday.
Mascini, the first secretary at the royal Netherlands embassy, said they had received information that some gays were being tortured in some detention centres.
He was speaking at the launch of the Uganda Human Rights Comm-ission (UHRC) annual report at Hotel Africana.
Mascini said his country recognised gays about 40 years ago and was treating them as equal and respected human beings.
He, however, cautioned the UHRC to handle matters of homosexuals and lesbians cautiously.
UHRC Commissioner Constantine Karusoke said they had received petitions from some gay groups but they wanted to handle them with care.
“It is true some people have complained but we want to handle the matter cautiously,†he said.