Metro

Ugandan passes bill criminalizing homosexuality

Published

2 years ago

March 22, 2023

The Ugandan parliament has finally passed the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, 2023 which effectively criminalizes the act of homosexuality in the country.

After years of debate amid international condemnation, legislators in the eastern African country passed the bill into law on Tuesday to put to rest the controversies that had trailed the bill for years.

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

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

Obore added that “once the bill is signed into law by President Yuweri Museveni, it will prohibit same-sex sexual relationships and the promotion of homosexuality, penalize homosexual practices, and provide compensation to victims of homosexuality.”

The bill which was introduced by an opposition lawmaker in December 2013, had passed its third reading before it was declared “null and void” by a constitutional court in 2014, citing a lack of a necessary quorum of lawmakers to vote on it.

The court ruling had stoked up a lot of controversy which lasted for several years before Museveni insisted that the act of homosexuality must be stamped out of the country, leading to the speedy passage of the bill and from all indications, the President will not hesitate in signing it into law.

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Metro

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

Published

5 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.