Celebrations by gay communities in Uganda are short-lived, says the state minister for Ethics and Integrity, Dr. James Nsaba Buturo.

by Steven Fredrick Magomu, the Ugandan eye

Buturo was addressing reporters at the Uganda Media Centre this week. He said the stand against homosexuality in Uganda is not only the responsibility of individuals but that of the government as a whole. Buturo stated this after the gay communiy in Uganda celebrated the loss of his bid for for re-election as a member of parliament for the National Resistance Movement in the Bufumbira East constituency.

Buturo warned that Uganda was determined to crack down on homosexuality and pornographic materials. He called them a terrible vice and a curse.

“I am sorry for the gay community in Uganda which thinks that my loss marks the end of our war on homosexuality and pornography,” said Buturo. “I am still here. As a nation, we have a decent culture and moral values. It is our stand as a government, and we are not going to shift even an inch from it,” he swore.

Presidential Appointment
Under the NRM constitution, Buturo can't run in the general election because he lost his party’s primary election. This means that he might lose his ministerial job unless he is re-appointed under the presidential prerogative. The president appoints nine ministers directly from a group of loyal friends who are not MPs.

A bill seeking tough punishment for the members of the gay community in Uganda was tabled as a private members' motion by the Hon. David Bahati. He argues that without tough measures in place, external forces will promote homosexuality among Ugandan students. According to Buturo, homosexuality corrupts young people's morals.