Summary:
- Odur opposed the inclusion of the anus, arguing that such a move could open the door to legalizing homosexuality in Uganda.
KAMPALA: The Soroti Woman Member of Parliament Anna Adeke and Jonathan Odur, the Member of Parliament for Erute South, have ignited a debate over whether the mouth and anus should be legally recognized as organs through which sexual violence can be committed.
The discussion unfolded on Tuesday during the scrutiny of the Sexual Offences Bill 2024 by the Joint Committee on Legal and Gender Affairs.
Odur opposed the inclusion of the anus, arguing that such a move could open the door to legalizing homosexuality in Uganda.
He suggested maintaining the status quo, which recognizes only the penis and vagina as sexual organs.
“This was the very argument on homosexuality,” Odur said. “When two people meet, agree, and do their thing, then there is no complainant. But we said, whether they agreed or not, it is criminal.”
In response, Adeke highlighted the importance of addressing sexual violence comprehensively, irrespective of the body parts involved.
“I think Hon. Jonathan isn’t comfortable with the anus being included among the sexual organs we are covering because, to put it there, it presupposes that it is an allowable entry,” Adeke said.
Odur remained firm in his stance: “I am not comfortable calling the anus or mouth a sexual organ. We can provide for these cases, but we shouldn’t classify them as sexual organs. We can find other terms for it.”
Adeke countered: “The anus and mouth aren’t sexual organs, but a sexual act can be committed with those organs. If I put my finger into your mouth or ear, it isn’t a sexual act. But if I put a penis into your mouth, it is a sexual act.”
Odur further emphasized his concerns about cultural norms and the potential for over-criminalization.
“I am not a fan of copy-pasting laws. Some of the things we do here are informed by our customs and traditions. For example, in our setting, how do we court a woman? Are we going to criminalize that? If I wink at a woman or whistle at her—things we use in the villages to communicate—are we now going to criminalize that and make life very difficult for practices that are socially acceptable?” he asked.
The debate has sparked widespread interest, with stakeholders awaiting the final recommendations on the contentious clauses in the Sexual Offences Bill.
