MUK Don Fights For Gay Rights
Feb 04, 2003
A MAKERERE University don has said gays should be recognised as one of the marginalised groups in the country whose rights need to be protected and recognised.
A MAKERERE University don has said gays should be recognised as one of the marginalised groups in the country whose rights need to be protected and recognised.
Charles Ariko reports that Dr. Sylvia Tamale, who is a senior lecturer at the Faculty of Law and a human rights activist, said the Constitution recognised other marginalised groups such women and the disabled, and she saw no reason the gays should not be allowed to enjoy their rights
“I know President Yoweri Museveni is against gays but that does not mean they should be denied their rights to a sexual orientation of their choice,†Tamale said.
She was yesterday speaking at a consultative workshop on the draft principles for the establishment of the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC).
The workshop was organised by a local NGO, Action for Development (ACFODE), in conjunction with a German NGO, Konrad Adeneur Foundation.
Tamale said gays were recognised by international bodies as one of the marginalised groups. She said they should be recognised by the EOC which is to be set up under the 1995 Constitution.
The Constitution says the main functions of EOC are to implement affirmative action policies in favour of groups marginalised on the basis of gender, age, disability or any other reason created by history, tradition or custom.
Ends
Charles Ariko reports that Dr. Sylvia Tamale, who is a senior lecturer at the Faculty of Law and a human rights activist, said the Constitution recognised other marginalised groups such women and the disabled, and she saw no reason the gays should not be allowed to enjoy their rights
“I know President Yoweri Museveni is against gays but that does not mean they should be denied their rights to a sexual orientation of their choice,†Tamale said.
She was yesterday speaking at a consultative workshop on the draft principles for the establishment of the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC).
The workshop was organised by a local NGO, Action for Development (ACFODE), in conjunction with a German NGO, Konrad Adeneur Foundation.
Tamale said gays were recognised by international bodies as one of the marginalised groups. She said they should be recognised by the EOC which is to be set up under the 1995 Constitution.
The Constitution says the main functions of EOC are to implement affirmative action policies in favour of groups marginalised on the basis of gender, age, disability or any other reason created by history, tradition or custom.
Ends