Esther Mbayo, the Minister in Charge of Uganda’s Presidency and Dr Ruth Aceng, the Minister for Health, said Friday evening in Kampala that the government condemns any human rights violations against anyone in Uganda, urging LGBT persons to report any abuses to authorities. It follows new incidents of violence against and murder of members of the LGBT+ community.

Ofwono Opondo, spokesperson of the ruling Party, NRM, recently made similar announcements that government plans no new anti gay bill as discussed on Erasing 76 Crimes.

This is the latest high-profile assurance by Ugandan leaders that no new Anti Homosexuality Bill is being planned. It also follows media reports from early June this year, quoting Fr. Simon Lokodo, the minister for Ethics and Integrity saying that a new anti-gay bill was being drafted for introduction to parliament for consideration.

Another member of Parliament, Dr James Nsaba Buturo, had also made public statements that he was taking leave of parliament to draft a new Anti-Homosexuality Bill after the 2014 Anti-Homosexuality Act was annulled by the country’s Constitutional Court on technical grounds. The nullification was based on Parliament’s lack of a requisite quorum to pass a bill.

On her part, Dr Ruth Aceng said, “It is the policy of Ministry of Health that all patients should be able to seek medical treatment without fear of discrimination, violence, personal vengeance or retaliation.” She appealed to all health care providers to accord all patients care without any consideration based on race, tribe or gender, among other considerations. Read more via 76 Crimes