London: With a motive to curb the spread of HIV and put a ban on LGBT sex, the Tanzanian government has banned the import and sale of sexual lubricants
According to a report in The Independent, Ummy Mwalimu, the Health Minister was spotted saying, “It is true that the government has banned the importation and use of the jelly to curb the spread of HIV.”
He said that the availability of lubricants in the market is supposedly increasing homosexuality, which is a punishable offence in the east African country, if one is found indulging in it he will be sentenced to life imprisonment.
Although the law isn’t enforced as strictly as in some other parts of east Africa, activists fear the situation is getting worse.
The crackdown on gayism in the port city of Dar es Salaam caught speed after the appointment of new regional commissioner Paul Makonda.
He not only announced immediate action but also arrested several gay men from club.
Some LGBT people who had been open about their sexuality on the internet stopped posting after Makonda threatened that police would arrest those who follow them on social media.
The health Minister also cited that 23% men who have sex with men in Tanzania have HIV and it is a major reason which led to ban on lubricant.(ANI)