Posted on October 24th, 2010 by Warren Throckmorton
This afternoon, Mitch Harrison at Canyon Ridge Christian Church sent me a statement about church support for Martin Ssempa. The statement, in full, reads:
Canyon Ridge Christian Church began work in Uganda with the intent of helping address the HIV/AIDS pandemic that was wiping out generations of people in that country and other parts of Africa. Our partnership with Pastor Martin Ssempa began in response to this intent.
Because of the current controversy in Uganda over the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, and because of Pastor Ssempa’s involvement in the support of the bill, we have been in regular communication with him to clarify his positions and opinions. While we have come to understand that Pastor Ssempa advocates for an amended version of the Anti-Homosexuality bill that removes the death penalty and reduces other severe penalties, he is still supports passage of this bill.
We, however, do not support him in this effort.
We are in the process of determining how we can redirect our support in Uganda to activities specifically related to addressing HIV/AIDS issues.
Further, we condemn acts of violence against any person regardless of sexual orientation.
Our desire is to see God’s purposes lived out in Uganda, and for the redemption and abundant life he gives to be experienced by everyone.
While CRCC is not directly acknowledging the errors in their earlier statement (still up but probably not for long), they do so implicitly by condemning acts of violence which the AHB would lead to and which has been recently incited by Uganda’s Rolling Stone.
Background for this story is here, here, here, here, and here (all of my articles at Salon.com)
UPDATE: CRCC has replaced their former statement with the one above on their website. The Ssempas are no longer referenced as mission partners but rather a link to this statement has replaced their page. The former page is archived here (page 1, page 2, page 3).
Monday, October 25, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Attacks reported on Ugandans newspaper 'outed' as gay
BBC REPORT
The Rolling Stone says it will continue to publish the names of homosexuals
Several people have been attacked in Uganda after a local newspaper published their names and photos, saying they were homosexual, an activist has told the BBC.
Frank Mugisha said one woman was almost killed after her neighbours started throwing stones at her house.
He said most of those whose names appeared in Uganda's Rolling Stone paper had been harassed.
Last year, a local MP called for the death penalty for some homosexual acts.
The proposed Anti-homosexuality Bill sparked an international outcry and a year later has not been formally debated by parliament.
Homosexual acts are already illegal in Uganda and activists say the gay community still lives in fear.
"We have got people who have been threatened to be thrown out of work, people who have been threatened by their own family members, who want to throw them out of their own houses," said Mr Mugisha of the Sexual Minorities Uganda.
In the past, the government has accused homosexual groups of using claims of harassment to seek attention and funding, but this was strongly denied by Mr Mugisha.
Moral fabric
Giles Muhame, editor of the two-month-old Rolling Stone paper, denied that he had been inciting violence by publishing the names next to a headline which read "Hang them".
He said he was urging the authorities to investigate and prosecute people "recruiting children to homosexuality", before executing anyone found guilty.
He also said he was acting in the public interest, saying Ugandans did not know to what extent homsexuality was "ravaging the moral fabric of our nation", and he vowed to continue to publish the names and photographs of gay Ugandans.
It has so far identified 15 of the 100 names it said it would reveal.
The BBC's Joshua Mmali in Kampala says a newspaper that was barely known in a country with a poor reading culture, has now grabbed international headlines, while attracting wide condemnation from gay and human rights groups.
Mr Mugisha said he had written to both the Ugandan Media Council and police asking them to take action against the Rolling Stone but had not had any response.
The police said they had not received any formal complaints of any attacks.
The Rolling Stone says it will continue to publish the names of homosexuals
Several people have been attacked in Uganda after a local newspaper published their names and photos, saying they were homosexual, an activist has told the BBC.
Frank Mugisha said one woman was almost killed after her neighbours started throwing stones at her house.
He said most of those whose names appeared in Uganda's Rolling Stone paper had been harassed.
Last year, a local MP called for the death penalty for some homosexual acts.
The proposed Anti-homosexuality Bill sparked an international outcry and a year later has not been formally debated by parliament.
Homosexual acts are already illegal in Uganda and activists say the gay community still lives in fear.
"We have got people who have been threatened to be thrown out of work, people who have been threatened by their own family members, who want to throw them out of their own houses," said Mr Mugisha of the Sexual Minorities Uganda.
In the past, the government has accused homosexual groups of using claims of harassment to seek attention and funding, but this was strongly denied by Mr Mugisha.
Moral fabric
Giles Muhame, editor of the two-month-old Rolling Stone paper, denied that he had been inciting violence by publishing the names next to a headline which read "Hang them".
He said he was urging the authorities to investigate and prosecute people "recruiting children to homosexuality", before executing anyone found guilty.
He also said he was acting in the public interest, saying Ugandans did not know to what extent homsexuality was "ravaging the moral fabric of our nation", and he vowed to continue to publish the names and photographs of gay Ugandans.
It has so far identified 15 of the 100 names it said it would reveal.
The BBC's Joshua Mmali in Kampala says a newspaper that was barely known in a country with a poor reading culture, has now grabbed international headlines, while attracting wide condemnation from gay and human rights groups.
Mr Mugisha said he had written to both the Ugandan Media Council and police asking them to take action against the Rolling Stone but had not had any response.
The police said they had not received any formal complaints of any attacks.
Friday, October 22, 2010
SHAPE UP OR CLOSE SHOP- ANTI GAY TABLOID TOLD
Rolling Stone, a Ugandan Tabloid which recently published images and personal details of alleged top 100 homosexuals in Uganda, has been ordered stop publishing by the Ugandan Media Council which said that it has contravened section 5 of the Press and Journalist Act, prohibiting any publication which improperly infringes on the privacy of an individual or which contains false information.
This, after the newspaper, in its 02 October article “Hang them, they are after our kids” named and shamed alleged homosexuals in the country, following on the footsteps of The Red Pepper, another Ugandan tabloid infamous for previously running the same campaign against Ugandan homosexuals.
In a letter signed by Secretary Paul Mukasa and addressed to The Rolling Stone’s Managing Editor Giles Muhame, the Ugandan Media Council said “The requirements of the law must be adhered to, before you [The editor] can publish a newspaper and orders you to stop publishing The Rolling Stone until all requirements of the law are met.
Meanwhile gay rights activists have strongly condemned the tabloids’ alleged apparent homophobic stance of naming and shaming Ugandan homosexuals saying, “It is disturbing that in Uganda homosexuals continue to be subjected to such degrading and inhumane treatment.”
In a statement endorsed by delegates from all over the world who were attending the 4th Gender and Media Summit in Boksburg, South Africa recently, The Coalition of African Lesbians (CAL) said “The actions of the Rolling Stone tabloid have grossly violated the privacy and dignity of the individuals concerned and therefore violate the constitution of Uganda and various International Human Rights Instruments to which the state of Uganda is subscribed including Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 2 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights (Banjul Charter) of 1981 and Article 1(1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of 1966.”
Article 2 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights (Banjul Charter) of 1981 states that “every individual shall be entitled to the enjoyment of rights and freedoms recognized and guaranteed in the present charter without distinction of any kind such as race, ethnic group, colour, sex, language, religion, political or any other opinion, national and social origin, fortune, birth or other status.”
CAL further argued that this “outing of homosexuls” is happening in the context of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, tabled on 14, October 2009 in the Ugandan parliament which makes provisions for life imprisonment of homosexual crimes, a death sentence for repeated crimes of homosexuality and about 5 to 7 years in prison for failing to report such crimes to the authorities.
“This Bill is an expression of prejudice, intolerance, discrimination and violence. It has promoted hate speech in churches, schools and the media. It has led to defamation, blackmail, evictions, intimidation, arbitrary arrests and unlawful detention, physical assault, emotional and mental assault of LGBT activists, our families and allies”, Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) said.
A Ugandan source who is also Programmes Coordinator for Kuchus [Homosexuals] Living with HIV/Aids (Kulhas), whose picture was also featured in newspapers said, “When my neighbours saw my picture in the paper, they were furious. They threw stones at me while I was in my house. I was so terrified but somehow I managed to flee my home to safety.”
CAL has called on media regulators to counter the “impunity and detest” in which minority groups are portrayed in media in that continent, particularly lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people.
According to media reports the Ugandan tabloid may have obtained some of the photos from Facebook profiles of ordinary LGBT people in Uganda and abroad.
“The sad truth is that most evil in Uganda is done by people who end up never being held accountable for their deeds. The Rolling Stone publication has incited violence against a group of minorities making them seem like less of human beings”, Gerald Sentongo of SMUG.
CAL has welcomed the decision of the Uganda Media Council to stop the operations of the Rolling Stone tabloid in terms of section 5 of the Press and Journalist Act of Uganda.
SMUG has also acknowledged the support from Human Rights Institutions, activists and civil society all over the world for the “enormous” support to the Ugandan LGBTI community and requested for continued support calling for African governments to repeal the ‘sodomy laws.”
COMMUNICATIONS DESK
Freedom and Roam Uganda
Tel:+256(0) 31229 4863
Hotline: +256 (0) 771840 233
URL: www.faruganda.org
This, after the newspaper, in its 02 October article “Hang them, they are after our kids” named and shamed alleged homosexuals in the country, following on the footsteps of The Red Pepper, another Ugandan tabloid infamous for previously running the same campaign against Ugandan homosexuals.
In a letter signed by Secretary Paul Mukasa and addressed to The Rolling Stone’s Managing Editor Giles Muhame, the Ugandan Media Council said “The requirements of the law must be adhered to, before you [The editor] can publish a newspaper and orders you to stop publishing The Rolling Stone until all requirements of the law are met.
Meanwhile gay rights activists have strongly condemned the tabloids’ alleged apparent homophobic stance of naming and shaming Ugandan homosexuals saying, “It is disturbing that in Uganda homosexuals continue to be subjected to such degrading and inhumane treatment.”
In a statement endorsed by delegates from all over the world who were attending the 4th Gender and Media Summit in Boksburg, South Africa recently, The Coalition of African Lesbians (CAL) said “The actions of the Rolling Stone tabloid have grossly violated the privacy and dignity of the individuals concerned and therefore violate the constitution of Uganda and various International Human Rights Instruments to which the state of Uganda is subscribed including Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 2 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights (Banjul Charter) of 1981 and Article 1(1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of 1966.”
Article 2 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights (Banjul Charter) of 1981 states that “every individual shall be entitled to the enjoyment of rights and freedoms recognized and guaranteed in the present charter without distinction of any kind such as race, ethnic group, colour, sex, language, religion, political or any other opinion, national and social origin, fortune, birth or other status.”
CAL further argued that this “outing of homosexuls” is happening in the context of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, tabled on 14, October 2009 in the Ugandan parliament which makes provisions for life imprisonment of homosexual crimes, a death sentence for repeated crimes of homosexuality and about 5 to 7 years in prison for failing to report such crimes to the authorities.
“This Bill is an expression of prejudice, intolerance, discrimination and violence. It has promoted hate speech in churches, schools and the media. It has led to defamation, blackmail, evictions, intimidation, arbitrary arrests and unlawful detention, physical assault, emotional and mental assault of LGBT activists, our families and allies”, Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) said.
A Ugandan source who is also Programmes Coordinator for Kuchus [Homosexuals] Living with HIV/Aids (Kulhas), whose picture was also featured in newspapers said, “When my neighbours saw my picture in the paper, they were furious. They threw stones at me while I was in my house. I was so terrified but somehow I managed to flee my home to safety.”
CAL has called on media regulators to counter the “impunity and detest” in which minority groups are portrayed in media in that continent, particularly lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people.
According to media reports the Ugandan tabloid may have obtained some of the photos from Facebook profiles of ordinary LGBT people in Uganda and abroad.
“The sad truth is that most evil in Uganda is done by people who end up never being held accountable for their deeds. The Rolling Stone publication has incited violence against a group of minorities making them seem like less of human beings”, Gerald Sentongo of SMUG.
CAL has welcomed the decision of the Uganda Media Council to stop the operations of the Rolling Stone tabloid in terms of section 5 of the Press and Journalist Act of Uganda.
SMUG has also acknowledged the support from Human Rights Institutions, activists and civil society all over the world for the “enormous” support to the Ugandan LGBTI community and requested for continued support calling for African governments to repeal the ‘sodomy laws.”
COMMUNICATIONS DESK
Freedom and Roam Uganda
Tel:+256(0) 31229 4863
Hotline: +256 (0) 771840 233
URL: www.faruganda.org
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Uganda newspaper publishes 'gay list,' calls for their hanging
By Faith Karimi, CNN
October 20, 2010 --
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
* Next to the list was a yellow strip with the words "hang them"
* "We are all terrified," an activist says
* Homosexuality is illegal in most African countries
(CNN) -- A Ugandan newspaper published a story featuring a list of the nation's "top" gays and lesbians with their photos and addresses, angering activists who say the already marginalized group risks facing further attacks.
Earlier this month, Rolling Stone newspaper -- not affiliated with the U.S. magazine with the same name -- featured 100 pictures of Uganda's gays and lesbians. Next to the list was a yellow strip with the words "hang them."
The story comes about a year after a Ugandan lawmaker introduced a measure that calls for the death penalty or long jail terms for those who engage in some homosexual activities.
The proposal was shelved after an international outcry.
"For me, the first thing that crossed my mind was, 'how can this country allow such things to happen?" said Julian Pepe, who was also named in the story.
"They were calling for our hanging, they are asking people to take the law into their hands. We are all terrified."
The 29-year-old said she's a lesbian.
"I came out when I was 12, I have supportive parents who have been there for me," said Pepe, a program coordinator for Sexual Minorities Uganda.
Those named in the story are living in fear, she said. Some have had to change jobs and move to new places.
Video: Gay activists fear for their lives
They were calling for our hanging, they are asking people to take the law into their hands. We are all terrified.
--Juilan Pepe
"We are providing some with psychological support," she said. "People have been attacked, we are having to relocate others, some are quitting their jobs because they are being verbally abused. It's a total commotion."
Uganda's ethics and integrity minister Nsaba Buturo dismissed the activists' accusations.
"They [the activists] are always lying," Buturo said. "It's their way of mobilizing support from outside, they are trying to get sympathy from outside. It's part of the campaign."
Buturo said the anti-gay measure will be addressed and passed "in due course."
"Of course I hope it passes," he said.
Calls to David Bahati, the member of parliament who introduced the anti-gay bill, went unanswered Wednesday.
The paper's editor, Giles Muhame, defended the list and said he published it to expose gays and lesbians, so authorities could arrest them. The weekly paper has been publishing for about six weeks.
After the list was published, the federal Media Council sent a warning to Muhame and ordered the newspaper to cease operating.
But the warning was "not related to the list at all," said Paul Mukasa, secretary of the Media Council. Rather, he said, the letter warned the paper that it was publishing without required permits.
"Until they fill in the required paperwork, they are breaking the law," Mukasa said.
The secretary said the newspaper has initiated the process "to put their house in order."
"Some rights groups have complained that the newspaper is inciting people, but the council is focusing on its lack of paperwork," Mukasa said.
Homosexuality is illegal in most countries in the region, including in nearby Kenya, where sodomy laws were introduced during colonialism.
In Uganda, homosexual acts are punishable by 14 years to life, Pepe said.
"Half the world's countries that criminalize homosexual conduct do so because they cling to Victorian morality and colonial laws," said Scott Long, director of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights program for Human Rights Watch. "Getting rid of these unjust remnants of the British empire is long overdue."
The role religion plays in Africa has a lot to do with the ban, others say.
Olatune Ogunyemi, a professor at Grambling State University in Louisiana, has said that some African constitutions are based on religion, making it possible to justify criminalizing homosexuality.
A post-apartheid constitution bans discrimination against gays in South Africa, the first African nation to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Journalist Tom Walsh in Kampala, Uganda, contributed to this report.
October 20, 2010 --
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
* Next to the list was a yellow strip with the words "hang them"
* "We are all terrified," an activist says
* Homosexuality is illegal in most African countries
(CNN) -- A Ugandan newspaper published a story featuring a list of the nation's "top" gays and lesbians with their photos and addresses, angering activists who say the already marginalized group risks facing further attacks.
Earlier this month, Rolling Stone newspaper -- not affiliated with the U.S. magazine with the same name -- featured 100 pictures of Uganda's gays and lesbians. Next to the list was a yellow strip with the words "hang them."
The story comes about a year after a Ugandan lawmaker introduced a measure that calls for the death penalty or long jail terms for those who engage in some homosexual activities.
The proposal was shelved after an international outcry.
"For me, the first thing that crossed my mind was, 'how can this country allow such things to happen?" said Julian Pepe, who was also named in the story.
"They were calling for our hanging, they are asking people to take the law into their hands. We are all terrified."
The 29-year-old said she's a lesbian.
"I came out when I was 12, I have supportive parents who have been there for me," said Pepe, a program coordinator for Sexual Minorities Uganda.
Those named in the story are living in fear, she said. Some have had to change jobs and move to new places.
Video: Gay activists fear for their lives
They were calling for our hanging, they are asking people to take the law into their hands. We are all terrified.
--Juilan Pepe
"We are providing some with psychological support," she said. "People have been attacked, we are having to relocate others, some are quitting their jobs because they are being verbally abused. It's a total commotion."
Uganda's ethics and integrity minister Nsaba Buturo dismissed the activists' accusations.
"They [the activists] are always lying," Buturo said. "It's their way of mobilizing support from outside, they are trying to get sympathy from outside. It's part of the campaign."
Buturo said the anti-gay measure will be addressed and passed "in due course."
"Of course I hope it passes," he said.
Calls to David Bahati, the member of parliament who introduced the anti-gay bill, went unanswered Wednesday.
The paper's editor, Giles Muhame, defended the list and said he published it to expose gays and lesbians, so authorities could arrest them. The weekly paper has been publishing for about six weeks.
After the list was published, the federal Media Council sent a warning to Muhame and ordered the newspaper to cease operating.
But the warning was "not related to the list at all," said Paul Mukasa, secretary of the Media Council. Rather, he said, the letter warned the paper that it was publishing without required permits.
"Until they fill in the required paperwork, they are breaking the law," Mukasa said.
The secretary said the newspaper has initiated the process "to put their house in order."
"Some rights groups have complained that the newspaper is inciting people, but the council is focusing on its lack of paperwork," Mukasa said.
Homosexuality is illegal in most countries in the region, including in nearby Kenya, where sodomy laws were introduced during colonialism.
In Uganda, homosexual acts are punishable by 14 years to life, Pepe said.
"Half the world's countries that criminalize homosexual conduct do so because they cling to Victorian morality and colonial laws," said Scott Long, director of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights program for Human Rights Watch. "Getting rid of these unjust remnants of the British empire is long overdue."
The role religion plays in Africa has a lot to do with the ban, others say.
Olatune Ogunyemi, a professor at Grambling State University in Louisiana, has said that some African constitutions are based on religion, making it possible to justify criminalizing homosexuality.
A post-apartheid constitution bans discrimination against gays in South Africa, the first African nation to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Journalist Tom Walsh in Kampala, Uganda, contributed to this report.
Friday, October 15, 2010
One Year of the draft Anti-Homosexuality Bill, 2009
by Pepe Julian Onziema on Thursday, October 14, 2010 at 5:07pm
October 14, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
KAMPALA - UGANDA
On October 14, 2009 the draft Anti Homosexuality Bill was introduced to the Parliament of Uganda by Ndoorwa West MP David Bahati. Mr Bahati’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill stipulates the death penalty for repeated same-sex relations and life imprisonment for all other homosexual acts. A person in authority who fails to report an offender to the police within 24 hours will face 3 years in jail. Likewise, the promotion of homosexuality carries a sentence of 5 to 7 years in jail.
This Bill is an expression of prejudice, intolerance, discrimination and violence. The bill abuses the dignity, privacy and equality of people with a different sexual orientation and identity other than heterosexual. If passed into law, it will further legitimize public and private violence, harassment and torture.
It has promoted hate- speech in churches, schools and the media. It has led to defamation, blackmail, evictions, intimidation, arbitrary arrests and unlawful detention, physical assault, emotional and mental assault of LGBT activists, our families and allies.
The bill has further led to increased violence incited by local media, particularly The Red Pepper tabloid and recently launched Rolling Stone newspaper. The headline of the Rolling Stone viciously screamed “100 pictures of Ugandan’s top homos leak- Hang them” in their Vol. 1 No. 05 October 02-09, 2010. They published pictures, names, residences and other details of LGBT activists and allies.
“When my neighbors saw my picture in the paper, they were furious. They threw stones at me while I was in my house. I was so terrified somehow I managed to flee my home to safety.” said Stosh [Programme Coordinator- Kulhas Uganda]
“The sad truth is that most evil in Uganda is done by people who end up never being held accountable for their deeds. The Rolling Stone publication has incited violence against a group of minorities making them seem like less of HUMAN BEINGS” Gerald [Admin – SMUG].
The bill constitutes a violation of the right to freedom of privacy, association, assembly and security of the person as enshrined in Constitution of Uganda’s and International Human Rights Law.
The impact of such legal and social exclusion is being felt in the lives of LGBTI Ugandans. Sexual Minorities Uganda strongly condemns such laws and media witch-hunt of homosexuals.
We would like to acknowledge Human Rights institutions and activists, local, regional and international Civil Society, Development partners and friends around the world for the enormous support to the Uganda LGBTI community and request for your continued call to African governments to repeal the ‘sodomy laws’.
Issued by: Sexual Minorities Uganda - SMUG
Contacts:
1.Frank Mugisha
fmugisha@sexualminoritiesuganda.org
2. Pepe Julian Onziema
jpepe@sexualminoritiesuganda.org
October 14, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
KAMPALA - UGANDA
On October 14, 2009 the draft Anti Homosexuality Bill was introduced to the Parliament of Uganda by Ndoorwa West MP David Bahati. Mr Bahati’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill stipulates the death penalty for repeated same-sex relations and life imprisonment for all other homosexual acts. A person in authority who fails to report an offender to the police within 24 hours will face 3 years in jail. Likewise, the promotion of homosexuality carries a sentence of 5 to 7 years in jail.
This Bill is an expression of prejudice, intolerance, discrimination and violence. The bill abuses the dignity, privacy and equality of people with a different sexual orientation and identity other than heterosexual. If passed into law, it will further legitimize public and private violence, harassment and torture.
It has promoted hate- speech in churches, schools and the media. It has led to defamation, blackmail, evictions, intimidation, arbitrary arrests and unlawful detention, physical assault, emotional and mental assault of LGBT activists, our families and allies.
The bill has further led to increased violence incited by local media, particularly The Red Pepper tabloid and recently launched Rolling Stone newspaper. The headline of the Rolling Stone viciously screamed “100 pictures of Ugandan’s top homos leak- Hang them” in their Vol. 1 No. 05 October 02-09, 2010. They published pictures, names, residences and other details of LGBT activists and allies.
“When my neighbors saw my picture in the paper, they were furious. They threw stones at me while I was in my house. I was so terrified somehow I managed to flee my home to safety.” said Stosh [Programme Coordinator- Kulhas Uganda]
“The sad truth is that most evil in Uganda is done by people who end up never being held accountable for their deeds. The Rolling Stone publication has incited violence against a group of minorities making them seem like less of HUMAN BEINGS” Gerald [Admin – SMUG].
The bill constitutes a violation of the right to freedom of privacy, association, assembly and security of the person as enshrined in Constitution of Uganda’s and International Human Rights Law.
The impact of such legal and social exclusion is being felt in the lives of LGBTI Ugandans. Sexual Minorities Uganda strongly condemns such laws and media witch-hunt of homosexuals.
We would like to acknowledge Human Rights institutions and activists, local, regional and international Civil Society, Development partners and friends around the world for the enormous support to the Uganda LGBTI community and request for your continued call to African governments to repeal the ‘sodomy laws’.
Issued by: Sexual Minorities Uganda - SMUG
Contacts:
1.Frank Mugisha
fmugisha@sexualminoritiesuganda.org
2. Pepe Julian Onziema
jpepe@sexualminoritiesuganda.org
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
MPs should take a stand on gays
AS the term of the 8th Parliament comes to an end, I would like to
raise an issue that Parliament did not handle well. I was surprised by
the utterances of some MPs who were quoted as saying “the
anti-homosexuality Bill is not a priority to Uganda”.
A few weeks ago, we had a meeting with a diplomat from Eritrea. He
told us that when their lawmakers enacted a law against homosexuality
with the highest penalty being a death sentence, the human rights
fellows from the West confronted their president.
But the president was firm. He told them that they can keep
homosexuality to themselves and Eritrea will only allow what it needs.
Our lawmakers need to emulate Eritrea.
George Oduch
Kampala
raise an issue that Parliament did not handle well. I was surprised by
the utterances of some MPs who were quoted as saying “the
anti-homosexuality Bill is not a priority to Uganda”.
A few weeks ago, we had a meeting with a diplomat from Eritrea. He
told us that when their lawmakers enacted a law against homosexuality
with the highest penalty being a death sentence, the human rights
fellows from the West confronted their president.
But the president was firm. He told them that they can keep
homosexuality to themselves and Eritrea will only allow what it needs.
Our lawmakers need to emulate Eritrea.
George Oduch
Kampala
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