Metro

Gay rights activists tackle Ugandan President Museveni over anti-homosexuality bill

Published

2 years ago

March 23, 2023

Gay rights activists in Uganda have reacted negatively to the country’s parliament passing an Anti-Homosexuality Act Bill which criminalizes same-sex relations.

The Ugandan lawmakers on Tuesday, passed the Bill despite concerns from gay rights groups and international bodies which sees it as a clampdown on the rights of gays and lesbians in the eastern African country.

The Bill stipulates that offenders face a penalty which include 20 years in prison for promotion of homosexuality and child recruitment, while “attempted homosexuality” calls for 10 years in prison.

It also prescribes the death penalty for anyone who forces children, people with disabilities, people with mental illness and those of advanced age into an act of homosexuality.

As the Bill awaits official assent from President Yoweri Museveni who is expected to sign it into law as he has been a strong advocate of criminalizing homosexuality not just in the country but in Africa, gay rights supporters have called on him to override the parliament and refrain from signing the Act into law.

Regional Director of Amnesty International in East and Southern Africa, Tigere Chagutah, in a statement on Thursday, said the Anti-Homosexuality Bill amounts to a grave assault on LGBTQ people and is contemptuous of the Ugandan constitution.

Speaking in like manner,
Roland Ebole, an Amnesty International regional researcher, said the bill, if signed into law, will encourage anti-LGBTQ activity instead of discouraging it, as well as promoting homophobia and discrimination.

“This provision will encourage homophobia, it will encourage discrimination, and will discourage human rights advocates and nongovernmental organizations from carrying out their work,” Ebole said.

“And it is very vague in terms of what this promotion is when it says promotion of homosexuality,” Ebole added.

The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has also called on Museveni not to sign the bill which he described as among the worst of its kind in the world and a deeply troubling development.

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Metro

World Bank pledges $3b to support Zambia’s development goals

Published

8 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The World Bank Group has pledged to avail Zambia with approximately $3 billion to support the country’s development goals under the new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for 2025-2029, with nearly half of the funds already disbursed.

World Bank Country Manager, Achim Fock, who made this known at the CPF launch at the Mulungushi Conference Centre in Lusaka on Wednesday, outlined the global lender’s focus areas, which included enhancing jobs, human capital, and climate resilience.

Fock highlighted that $200 million had been approved to strengthen Zambia’s social protection programs, including the Refugee and Host Community Project.

He also expressed optimism for upcoming approvals, including the Climate and Economic Resilience Financing and the Zambia-Tanzania Interconnector.

Zambia’s Finance and National Planning Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane, who also spoke at the event, noted that 2.3 million Zambian households have so far benefited from social protection interventions such as the Cash for Work Programme, emphasizing the government’s commitment to safeguarding lives amid crises like the recent drought.

Musokotwane further reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting lives during times of crises such as the recent drought.

“More than two thirds of the Zambian population was affected by the drought. It was the government’s view that the first priority was to save lives,” Musokotwane stated.

Metro

Chinese mining giant CNMC set for $1.6 billion investment in Zambia

Published

1 day ago

November 13, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A Chinese mining giant, China Nonferrous Metal Mining Company (CNMC), has announced the investment of over $1.6 billion in Zambia, following successful discussions with President Hakainde Hichilema at the State House on Tuesday.

CNMC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Wen Gang, who held the discussions with Hichilema along with the Chinese Ambassador to Zambia, Han Jing, confirmed the company’s commitment to furthering Zambia’s economic development.

“We are actively investing in critical sectors of Zambia’s economy,” Gang said after the meeting.

He noted that CNMC was currently pumping water from Shaft 28 at Luanshya Copper Mine, where 29.9 million cubic liters have been cleared as part of intensified dewatering efforts, adding that the company plans to inject an additional $200 million to develop a greenfield mine on the Copperbelt.

President Hichilema who welcomed CNMC’s commitment, highlighted the potential economic impact of the firm’s investment which will include job opportunities for Zambians.

“This $1.6billion investment, alongside advanced technology and expansion, will extend operations and create more jobs and opportunities for Zambians, especially in mining contracting and supply,” the President said.

He also expressed gratitude to Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Chinese government for their shared commitment to fostering growth and cooperation between the two countries.