Metro

Human rights advocates in Uganda seek appeal against anti-LGBTQ ruling

Published

3 months ago

July 13, 2024

Human rights groups in Uganda filed an appeal with the Supreme Court on Thursday, challenging a lower court’s decision to uphold a harsh anti-homosexuality statute that carries the death penalty for some same-sex conduct.

The country’s constitutional court rejected a bid by campaigners to declare Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act (AHA) unconstitutional because it infringed upon fundamental rights in an April verdict.

The court only declared some elements to be unconstitutional because they infringed upon the rights to privacy, health, and freedom of religion.

Rights advocacy organizations claim that the law has led to an increase in the number of cases of abuses against sexual minorities in the nation; in the past nine months, over 1,000 cases have been reported, including arrests, torture, and home evictions, among other things.

One of the petitioners’ attorneys, Nicholas Opiyo, stated on the X platform, “We are hopeful for an expedited hearing of the case and will wait for the Supreme Court’s directions.”

According to court documents seen by Reuters, the petitioners, who include a lawmaker and Frank Mugisha, the most well-known LGBTQ rights activist in Uganda, claimed the constitutional court had erred in rejecting their claim that the law violates “the right to human dignity and protection from inhumane and degrading treatment.”

Same-sex relationships are illegal and carry a life sentence in jail as well as other severe penalties, such as the death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality.” It is against the law to promote homosexuality, and offenders risk a 20-year prison sentence.

The United States imposed trade and travel restrictions against Ugandan officials who were thought to have an anti-democratic posture, while the World Bank stopped making new loans to Uganda in response to criticism of the bill from the West.

Metro

All the choices we have made are for sustainable, inclusive growth— Tinubu

Published

3 hours ago

October 9, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has reiterated that all the choices his administration has made since assuming office 17 months ago have been made to stop the country’s decline and put it on a path to sustainable and inclusive growth.

Tinubu, who made the assertion at the 54th Annual Accountants Conference in Abuja on Tuesday, said it was encouraging that Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product growth for the first and second quarters of 2024 was positive, giving credence to his reforms and policies.

The president, who was represented by Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Abubakar Bagudu, noted that it was gladdening that inflation was on a downward trend, and the foreign exchange market was stabilising, with encouraging investment signals.

“We are continuing with innovative reform measures: digitisation of revenue collection and government services, consumer credit system to boost manufacturing and enable access to goods and services,” Tinubu said in his address to the audience.

“Our reforms include removing punitive subsidies to the economy. Revenue bleeding has reduced, and the three tiers of government are receiving higher allocations, which enable more support to vulnerable populations.

“Social investment spending is increasing, the minimum wage has increased, student loans are available, and interventions to support NANO, MSME, farming, fishing, and the livestock sector have increased.

“Our collective vision for Nigeria’s future is anchored on strengthening our institutions and nurturing a pervasive culture of accountability,” he said.

He added that his government was committed to leveraging cutting-edge technologies to boost transparency and efficiency and cultivate strategic partnerships to pave the way for sustainable development.

Metro

10 Zambian miners confirmed dead, 20 feared trapped in Mumbwa mine tragedy

Published

20 hours ago

October 8, 2024

Isaac Dachen

At least 10 Zambian miners have been confirmed dead, with 20 others feared missing after the collapse of the Lwiili Mine located in the Mumbwa region.

The devastating accident, which was confirmed by the Member of Parliament representing Nangoma, Collins Nzovu, and the Zambia Police, was said to have occured on Monday.

Search efforts are ongoing to locate the missing miners.

“I regret to confirm a tragic mining accident at Lwiili Mine in Nangoma, where 20 lives are feared lost. As of now, nine bodies have been retrieved, with 10 confirmed dead,” Nzovu stated in a video posted on his official Facebook account.

He also stated that President Hakainde Hichilema and Vice President Mutale Nalumango had been informed of the incident and urged residents and the bereaved to remain calm.

The Central Province Police Chief, Charity Chanda, who also confirmed the incident in a statement, said five miners were also injured.

“An unknown number of people were conducting mining activities when the earth collapsed on them,” Chanda said.

He added that rescue teams recovered six injured miners, but one later died at Nangoma Mission Hospital.

The police chief also said bodies of the deceased have been taken to Mumbwa General Hospital Mortuary, while the injured are receiving treatment at Nangoma Mission Hospital.