A Ugandan lawmaker apologised Wednesday after encouraging men to beat their wives to “discipline” them, in comments that sparked an outcry in the east African nation.
The MP, Onesmus Twinamasiko, wrote in a letter to parliament that he actually “detests all form of violence against women”.
“Kindly accept my most sincere and unreserved apologies honourable members and the general public and more particularly the women.”
The apology comes after Twinamasiko gave an interview the day after women’s day, March 8, to local television station NTV and said: “as a man you need to discipline your wife, you need to touch her and tackle her and beat her somehow, to really streamline her”.
His remarks sparked anger from women.
However, his view is not uncommon in Uganda. A government report published in 2016 showed that one in five female Ugandans between the age of 14 and 49 had reported physical or sexual violence within a 12-month period.
Parliament speaker Rebecca Kadaga vowed to investigate Twinamasiko for encouraging violence against women and the women’s parliamentary association demanded that he withdraw the statement and apologise.
Meanwhile, on Twitter, the hashtag #OnesmusTwinamasikoMustResign trended in Uganda.
On women’s day, President Yoweri Museveni described men who batter their wives as “cowards”.
AFP
He noted, “I celebrate with our Christian brothers and sisters as we mark Good Friday,…
Wishing the president god's protection, good health and long life, the governor said: "I want…
His arrest in March 2023 on charges of spying -- the first such charge against…
The post in February triggered a tidal wave of reaction from parents similarly gripped by…
He urged the leaders to be more constructive in their criticism of those in elective…
Before he turned himself in to the police, the monarch spoke to journalists, insisting on…