Metro

Ugandan President, Museveni signs anti-gay bill into law

Published

1 year ago

May 29, 2023

The Ugandan anti-gay bill which was presented by the parliament to President Yoweri Museveni for assent has finally been signed into law, making it illegal to practice homosexuality in the country.

Part of the new legislation which was signed by President Museveni prescribes the death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality,” which is defined as “cases of sexual relations involving people infected with HIV as well as with minors and other categories of vulnerable people.”

The bill had drawn a lot of condemnation from human rights activists and the international community who all called on Museveni not to give his assent to it with the belief that gay people in the country would be exposed to undue violence and intimidation.

The version of the bill signed by President Museveni doesn’t really criminalize those who identify as LGBTQ, which was a key concern for campaigners who condemned an earlier draft of the legislation as an egregious attack on human rights, but activists believe gay people are still at risk.

Another aspect of the legislation states that a suspect convicted of “attempted aggravated homosexuality” can be imprisoned for up to 14 years.

Parliamentary Speaker, Anita Among, who welcomed the signing of the bill, said in a statement that the president had answered the cries of the people in signing the bill.

“With a lot of humility, I thank my colleagues the Members of Parliament for withstanding all the pressure from bullies and doomsday conspiracy theorists in the interest of our country,” Among said.

Homosexuality was already illegal in Uganda under a colonial-era law criminalizing sexual activity “against the order of nature” with the punishment being life imprisonment.

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Metro

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

Published

11 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.