Metro

Ugandan mothers beg President Yoweri Museveni to drop plans to sign anti-gay law

Published

2 years ago

March 29, 2023

A group of women in Uganda who call themselves “Ugandan Mothers”, have pleaded with President Yoweri Museveni not to sign into law an Anti-Homosexuality Bill already passed by the parliament.

The women who claimed their children are members of the LGBT community, in a letter to Museveni on Tuesday, urged him not to sign the new drafted law under which people who are revealed as being gay could be jailed for life.

In the letter published in local media, the parents said “they had watched in trepidation as religious fundamentalists, elected officials and anti-gay lobbyists” had demeaned and dehumanised their children.

They also pleaded with Museveni to call on the legislators to recall the draft as it would endanger the lives of their homosexual children.

The Ugandan parliament on March 21, passed the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, 2023, which effectively criminalized the act of homosexuality in the country after years of debate amid international condemnation.

While confirming the passage of the bill to journalists, the Parliament Communications Director, Chris Obore, had said the whole debate has been put to rest.

“Yes, it was passed overwhelmingly. The vote represents the national mood against homosexuality, especially its deliberate and provocative promotion,” Obore had said.

According to him, the initiator of the bill had framed it well, with a focus on the protection of family and children.

“It persuaded many legislators who believed that there will be no human rights to talk about when family is distorted,” he added.

Obore had also said that once the bill was signed into law by President Yuweri Museveni, it would prohibit same-sex sexual relationships and the promotion of homosexuality, penalize homosexual practices, and provide compensation to victims of homosexuality.

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Metro

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

Published

9 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.