GayUganda

Spot the Difference

2009-11-16T07:04:00.001+03:00

Nazi Germany, and Uganda today...

You know what, I live and work and stay in Uganda. It is home to me. And, there is nothing like home... But this comparison was chilling to me. I picked it up from here.

The whole article is worth reading. For me as a gay Ugandan who has lived these days of the 'Anti-Gay' Crusade, it was chilling that I just have to go back into my memory of the last couple of years to find parallels between what is happening now, in Uganda. And what happened the last century.

Bloody chilling. And frightening. To me.

Here it is.
------

On June 28, 1935, the Ministry of Justice revised Paragraph 175. The revisions provided a legal basis for extending Nazi persecution of homosexuals. Ministry officials expanded the category of “criminally indecent activities between men” to include any act that could be construed as homosexual. The courts later decided that even intent or thought sufficed.
On October 26, 1936, Himmler formed within the Security Police the Reich Central Office for Combating Abortion and Homosexuality. Josef Meisinger, executed in 1947 for his brutality in occupied Poland, led the new office. The police had powers to hold in protective custody or preventive arrest those deemed dangerous to Germany’s moral fiber, jailing indefinitely–without trial–anyone they chose. In addition, homosexual prisoners just released from jail were immediately re-arrested and sent to concentration camps if the police thought it likely that they would continue to engage in homosexual acts.
From 1937 to 1939, the peak years of the Nazi persecution of homosexuals, the police increasingly raided homosexual meeting places, seized address books, and created networks of informers and undercover agents to identify and arrest suspected homosexuals. On April 4, 1938, the Gestapo issued a directive indicating that men convicted of homosexuality could be incarcerated in concentration camps.

and, to continue

This speech was given by Josef Meissinger, Head of the Reich Central Office for Combating Abortion and Homosexuality.
In Uganda, who would give it, but the Rt. Honourable Nsaba Buturo, PhD, Minister of Ethics and Integrity? Just read it, and tell me whether any of the sentiments expressed in this speech have not, over the years, been repeated by Nsaba Buturo, thought for thought.

If one is really to appreciate the hidden danger of homosexuality, it is no longer enough to consider it as before from a narrowly criminal viewpoint. Because it is now so enormously widespread, it has actually developed into a phenomenon of the most far-reaching consequence for the survival of the nation and state. For this reason, however, homosexuality can no longer be regarded simply from the viewpoint of criminal investigation; it has become a problem with political importance. This being so, it cannot be the task of the police to investigate homosexuality scientifically. At the most it can take account of scientific conclusions in its work. Their task is to ascertain homosexual trends and their damaging effects, so as to avert the danger that this phenomenon represents for nation and state. No one says to the police: you shouldn’t arrest this thief because he might have acquired kleptomania. Similarly, once we have recognized that a homosexual is an enemy of the state, we shan’t ask the police—and much less the Political Police—whether he has acquired his vice or whether he was born with it. I should mention here that experience has shown beyond doubt that only a vanishingly small number of homosexuals have a truly homosexual inclination, that most of them by far have been quite normally active at one time or another and then turned to this area simply because they were sated with life’s pleasures or for various other reasons such as fear of venereal diseases. I should also say that, with firm education and order, and regulated labor, a great number of homosexuals who have come to the attention of the authorities have been taught to become useful members of the national community.
----

On the one hand, I want to laugh. It is incredulous. Strains credulity.

But, I look at the bill. And I am chilled. The aim is clear, however hopeless you may try to laugh it off. To eliminate homosexuality from Uganda.

It is no joke. It is no mistake that the only two punishments suggested for the homosexual Ugandan are life time imprisonment, and Death. If, God forbid, it passes, and they start implementing the cleansing of homosexuals from Uganda... how far away are we from Concentration Camps for homosexuals? The justification will be that, with a population of 31 millions and growing, and, having at least half a million homosexuals on death row or life imprisonment, a special place is necessary for them. To hold them until they die.

Are you laughing?

Sadly, one Religious leader in Uganda, the Mufti, leader of all Ugandan moslems suggested just such a thing. An island in lake Victoria. That we homosexuals should be marrooned there. Till our deaths. In that way, since we dont reproduce, Uganda would be rid of us.

No. It was no slip of the tongue. The Mufti repeated his proposal 3 (yes, three times). Once in the presence of the President of Uganda.

Here is a link to the posts about this on this blog. And you can follow the link to the newspaper articles of the day.

I wish this was all a just a bad dream. It is too fantastic to happen, isnt it?
A friend from Burundi told me, those Tutsi in Rwanda who understood the genocidal intent of their country mates and were cowardly enough to get out of the country are the ones who survived. So were the Jews in Nazi Germany.

But I cannot believe it, can I? Really? In this day and age???

Sigh. I just have to listen to Ssempa's voice as it rose in conviction on Premier Radio in Britain. Its incredible. But not impossible.

gug

A letter and the President

2009-11-16T00:30:00.000+03:00

Hmmmm, the Observer seems determined that there is a debate about the bill.

Unlike the governments New Vision, which, to date has published no articles on analysis of the Bahati bill. Oh, I am sorry. They published one. This one.

Anyway, here is a letter from one of the Observer's readers.

What I did, (bite me, I am human), was to cut out the bad parts... and picking out the good ones. Please, forgive the writer. Every person who writes in Uganda defending homosexuals has to, MUST, defend his or her credentials as a heterosexual. Period.

Here is the letter....!

God does not teach death for gay people

It is very wrong to base one’s arguments against gays on statements like “unAfrican” and “unnatural” and then discriminate against them on the basis of their sexual orientation. It is even more wrong to condemn them to death as if they were bedbugs.

[I have no time for gays and believe the perversion can be fought with the right methods.] Social exclusion and absolute use of force leading to the discrimination and murder of gays is not the right way to go. It is against international human rights standards, a standard

Uganda

will be judged by.

The worst thing is for a Christian or some other religious person to support the Anti-Gay Bill based on religious grounds or “morality.” There is absolutely no basis whatsoever to bring religion into politics because the only tangible benefit religion offers Africans today is love and hope.

If you think your God agrees to making gays a target for persecution and execution, then I can also subjectively bring out a quote from His lovely writings that says gays should be given extra love, forgiveness and kindness. Please do not use God’s great name to promote discrimination, state persecution and execution of human beings.

Sajio Kassana,

debunkingafricanmyths@gmail.com

The President...

By the way, Museveni proved his homophobic credentials a long time ago.
I mean, if it was to be his will (well, if he was god, instead of someone just below god in Uganda), we Ugandan homosexuals would be in prison. Since Dec 1999 when he realised, to his fury that we are, in Uganda.

But, I have heard, reliably, that some allies of ours petitioned him about the bill.

Now, for the President of the Republic, it is important not to underestimate him. I know it is supposedly a Private Members bill in the legislature. But, that is the strategy. To keep the 'executive' isolated. To limit the 'foreign' influence.

If the President of Uganda thought that this bill was nothing, it would not have been tabled in parliament. That is the absolute truth.

So, some of our allies went to him. And petitioned the big man. From what I hear, he expressed suprise that the bill was in parliament. And, was non committal in his support. Remember, here I am reporting nth hand rumours!

If the President was to feel unconfortable with this bill, it would be very quickly withdrawn, (with apologies) by the offending MP Bahati.

But, since it is not, and the President needed to make his support known, however obliquely, here is a recent pronouncement from the big man....

Note, the Monitor is an Independent paper, so it can afford to say what really was.... (little shading)

Museveni warns against homosexuality

President Museveni has joined the anti-gay crusade, saying he had received reports suggesting that “European homosexuals” had launched a recruitment drive in Africa.

He urged the youth to reject the advances. Expressing his homophobia, Mr Museveni said the youth must stand firm and abhor the divergent sexual orientation. “I hear European homosexuals are recruiting in Africa,” said Mr Museveni on Saturday, to an audience of mainly youth at the Kampala Serena Hotel that homosexuality is un-natural.

“We used to have very few homosexuals traditionally. They were not persecuted but were not encouraged either because it was clear that is not how God arranged things to be.”

The NRM leader was speaking at the inaugural Young Achievers Awards ceremony, an event organised by Tetea

Uganda

, a private firm, to honour the country’s youth who have excelled in various disciplines.

There you are... this bill, it will be passed. Most likely.

gug

The Medical Point of view

2009-11-15T18:23:00.001+03:00

Doctors in Uganda are reluctant to weigh in on this debate.

In private, I have heard some say how stupid the law is... And of course, there are those who come in from the point of view of HIV prevention.

They need to, actually. Because, as Ssempa intimates that the Anti-Homosexuality Bill is an HIV prevention measure. (I swear, I am not joking! Just listen to that audio. They do not want a new source of infection!!!! And yes, he IS an AWARD WINNING HIV activist.) Strange things do happen in Uganda.

Speaking from the HIV prevention point of view, such a view is completely contradictory to what is known.

Here is an article from the BMJ which a contact sent to me. It is worth reading, commenting about other Anti-Homosexuality laws, and their effects on HIV prevention.

Note, in Uganda, for the first 25 years of the epidemic, we gay men were an Invisible Part of the epidemic. In 2007, we came out and said, no, we exist. In 2008, they prosecuted us for demanding an HIV prevention programme for gay men in Uganda. (Wish all these were not verifiable facts!)

Now, it is 2009, they are accusing us of 're-cruiting' and have come up with a bill to 'wipe homosexuality out of Uganda.'
Sounds like a nightmare, doesnt it? Poor Gay Ugandans!

But, that is the reality of life.

Elders weigh in

2009-11-15T09:50:00.000+03:00

Advocacy from an un-expected corner of Africa...

Ex-African leaders petition Museveni on Aids law

EVELYN LIRRI

Kampala

Uganda is in the spotlight over two proposed laws which activists say will hold back the fight against HIV/Aids and violate human rights. In a letter dated October 30, to President Museveni, the chairperson of the Champions for an HIV-free Generation (an African elder statesmen’s forum) and former president of Botswana, Festus Mogae, wrote that the draft HIV/Aids Prevention and Control Bill 2008 and the proposed Anti-Homosexuality Bill could have a chilling effect on HIV/Aids prevention efforts.

Mogae’s message
“Your Excellency, we respectfully express our concern at the provisions referenced in these two Bills and fear that passage of such legislation, which deviates from international best practice and recommendations, could lead to increased stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV/Aids and the groups most vulnerable to the epidemic,” Mr Mogae wrote.

In the proposed Anti-Homosexuality Bill, Mr Mogae’s organisation is particularly concerned about a proposal that would see a person convicted of the offence of homosexuality imprisoned for life and a death penalty imposed for those having gay sex with anyone under the age of 18, or when the accused is HIV-positive.
Ndorwa West MP David Bahati who introduced the Bill, has defended it saying the proposed law is intended to protect future generations. “Homosexuality is not a human right. It is a foreign behaviour imported and promoted by people using the poverty in our country to expound bad behaviour. We are determined to protect what is right for Uganda and not what is convenient for some people,” Mr Bahati said. Continued

We watch and wait....

gug

Irony.....!

2009-11-14T18:47:00.000+03:00

Hey,

Just caught up this, that the Archbishop of York, the number 2 in the Church of England is not going to comment on the Anti-Homosexuality bill.

Yeah, the guy was born in Uganda. And, forgive the gentleman, he has some more than veiled interest in what is happening! I mean, remove the fact that he is the number 2 to Canterbury. And, he is Ugandan... by birth. Grew up here. Went into the diaspora during the Amin times.

He is also brother to Pastor Robert Kayanja. Yeah, he is brother to the pastor that Ssempa was accusing of being gay in the Pastor Wars.

Pastor Kayanja is very, very strong. His is 'Rubaga Miracle Cathedral'... and it is a mega church. He has recently opened a TV station in Uganda. Christian. And his ministry spans the earth. Yes, it does. He has good connections with the First Family, and has given of his accumulating wealth, judiciously. I mean, he has been giving to the police. Gifts of appreciation.

Want to know more officially? Visit his site. Robert Kayanja Ministries. And, he is a rugs to riches story. Recently, he caused a lot of envy in Uganda, talking about buying himself a personal jet. For the Lord's Work, of course.

Fast forward to 2009. And, Pastor Ssempa, and a group of other anti-gay pastors start THE crusade. To wipe out homosexuality from Uganda.
They were going very, very strong. Until they started a witch-hunt. First was a Catholic Priest, Father Musaala. I think his reputation and singing career has been effectively destroyed. Oh, the charge of homosexuality in Uganda is impossible to shake.

Father Musaala was small potatoes. He was destroyed. True!

Then, the big guns, emboldened, took aim and started shooting. Straight at Pastor Robert Kayanja. So started the Pastor Wars. And they were very interesting. Cant detail the twists and turns. You will have to read about them here.

End result, the police exhonerated Pastor Kayanja, who continues his ministry. The other pastors are in court, for defamation, and other things.... Yeah, they actually are alleged to have given money to some young men to accuse Kayanja of having been gay.

The same Kayanja who is brother to Archbishop of York Sentamu.

Small world, isnt it?

Ssentamu is known for being outspoken. But, he has declined to wade into this fire....! Have to say I dont envy his position. No comment, is the comment from him!

Brave man.

gug

Church to the Rescue

2009-11-13T11:59:00.002+03:00

I think it is high time!

Yes. What I mean is that, the Church in Africa has been doing a lot of hate peddling and persecution of us gay Africans, in the name of Christ. In the name of 'biblical Christianity'. Christians from outside Africa have traditionaly used kids gloves to tackle these issues because they dont want to be accused of 'colonialism' or neo-colonialism.

I would have no problem with that. Except that, I and my own are the ones hurting, as the African 'Christians' go on rampage, following their own version of 'biblical' Christianity, vieing with each other to be more 'biblical' than others.

So Christians, take back your Church. Please. Reclaim what it means to be Christian, because the likes of Pastor Martin Ssempa are claiming that they are doing dastardly things in the name of Christ. High time you as Christians stood up and said enough is enough. Listening to him, again, on Premier Radio, I kind of felt, wow, is this man a Christian? And my gut answer was NO.

And, I am glad Christians are starting to reclaim their church! Very glad.

Here are some articles on the same.

Anglicanism's Uganda moment of truth

Anti-gay bill tests core Christian Witness

In Church times, a re-hash of what has been happening.

And, Davis MacIyala, a Nigerian who had to seek refuge in the UK because of persecution in Nigeria, and has since made it his cause to promote LGBTI inclusivity in Christianity (imagine, he was doing that in Nigeria, with the likes of Akinola breathing down his neck!).
He has an open letter in the Guardian, challenging Christians specifically the Primates. "the Archbishop of Canterbury and other Anglican primates to speak out against the bill, whatever their views on “homosexuality as a moral issue”"

Yes, speak out. And stop this persecution of LGBTI Africans. It is time you stood up to some of these guys and said that that is not Christian.

And this bill is not Christian. No. It is not.

It is not Christian, nor Moslem, nor any other Compassionate religion. It may have been written by Hitler as a Final Solution, to rid Uganda of homosexuality, as it succintly states in the preamble. But, you have to come out and say, no. IT IS NOT CHRISTIAN.

Because in Uganda and Africa, it is being promoted as the finest Christian witness.

So, stand up and reclaim your religion!

gug

PS;
Guess the Church is made of human beings. Here is the Catholic Church threatening not to do its Christian Charity duty if Washington DC dares to pass a Gay equality, marriage bill.

To DC, please, call their bluff. They are Christians. Or, at least they call themselves that. Call their bluff!

Andrew Mwenda

2009-11-13T00:19:00.000+03:00

Hey, just wondering, just wondering, did Premier Radio station lose Ssempa or, did they just cut him off? The guy was really going on and on and on with his conspiracy theory of how HIV is spread by homosexuals...! Wow, I listen to it again, and I....!

I am glad that Ssempa agreed to that radio interview. We get so few times to catch him in full flare that, well, it was good of him. I am serious. The interview is on this blog again, and, it is fantastic. Beware, dont you hit out at your screen in frustration. He has that effect on me...!

Anyway, back to Andrew Mwenda.
I noted that his article demanded a post of its own. True. And here it is.

First, on Andrew himself. He is a medium sized Ugandan, (means short!), dark skinned. And makes up for the lack of height with the courage of a lion. Serious. This guy does not weigh his words. Not when he is in personal conversation, (his is a loud voice), and worse when he is in a public place... Well, I do know the gentleman.
But, what most impresses me is the fact that this guy will tackle the lion in his den. To date he is in court for some charges of Sedition. Remember this cartoon? Well, it was him in the dock, for 'sedition'.

And, he is still there. He is challenging that law in Constitution court. Maybe he will win. I think Museveni himself is kind of tired of twarting this biteme. It seems to come buzzing up all the time. How he survives the wrath of the state, I dont know.

Anyway, Andrew takes on the Bahati bill, and does logical reasoning a favor. Bombastic, typical Ugandan... That is what I am. But he makes me feel good that I am a Ugandan, while Ssempa makes me feel like running to hide! He is that embarrassing.

(That is from the Independent. Nice bit!)

First he tackles the Christian hypocrisy that is driving most of our gay bashers in the country. Nice one there!

"a friend told me recently: “I think all homos must be killed. My strong Christian values prohibit me from tolerating this evil.”" adding, for good measure, "My friend takes pride in “laying” girls. When I asked him why his Christian faith does not stop him from fornication, he went silent."

And, he makes the point that "The state should not be used to enforce God’s will. Nor should Martin Sempa and Nsaba Buturo constitute themselves into a religious police to enforce it."
I say, Amen to that!

I do love his examples. Clear and to the point. Here is another, following on the above state vs faith thing, "It would therefore be dangerous for the state to visit people’s bedrooms every night to ensure that sex is enjoyed only through the legislated style. For example, should the government investigate whether Bahati performs oral sex or whether Buturo masturbates?"
Gives me some shivers (funny imagery), sinner me!

The article is great, I must say.

But, no less informative are the comments. They are worth reading through, but for some you have to have a strong stomach.
Mwenda is called a homo. Well, any homo lover is by definition a homo!!!!! In Uganda, that is. (Maybe that is why Ssempa fights so hard to identify as a homo hater)

No. I guess I dont recommend the comments. Not all of them... There is little worship at the shrine of logic for most.... So, go ahead and dont read them.

For me, Bravo Mwenda, Bravo, you have done it again, swimming against the tide, but this time, defending homosexuals, you may have bitten off more than what even you can chew! Gay Ugandans are more hated in Uganda than the govt excesses!

But Bravo!

gug

Why Does Ssempa lie?

2009-11-12T19:50:00.000+03:00

I ask the question because Ssempa is a liar. And he continues to lie, very consistently and specifically. For a ‘man of God’, there seems no need for him to take anything but a principled stand. He just has to do that. But, why doesn’t he? Why does he have to resort to the lies?

I have been listening to him.

Well, a radio got him, and put him on. They wanted to have him debate the Bahati Bill. Premier Radio, a Christian radio in UK.

You can listen to the guy here. Warren Throckmorton was the other point of view.

Ssempa has a clear, strong voice. And he knows how to use it. You can feel the heat with which he speaks. And, you can also feel the shock in one of the presenters voice at the ‘intemperance’ of words.

He calls homosexuals all sorts of things. Something which the presenter has to kind of apologize for. Well, he is a cultured man. He will not spit on your radio. Only on those in Uganda, and on TV while he is expressing his distaste for homosexuality!

No, they were spared spitting.

But little else. His strong, clear voice. His calling gay people all kinds of names, and wielding the Bible as a hammer, to hammer, and hammer, and hammer. And his selective acquitance with the scripture.

It is interesting when a professional churchman quotes the scripture to spew hate, and the presenter has to kind of bring back the focus to something that is less like hate. More like debate. A different point of view.

Hey guys, listening to this, I say, welcome to our world of gay bashing. That is how they do it in Uganda. That is what I as a gay man have had to endure for years and years. I know, you will be shocked at the different meanings that we have for the word ‘Christian’. And of course, the fact that us Ugandan Christians are the real, biblical Christians. Not the ones that are in the west.

Warren, I would love to hear in confidence how you felt as you heard the guy speak….. ha! I am used to him. If that is the first time that you got to hear him speak, … well, were you kinda overwhelmed by the fervency of some of us Christians in

Uganda

Matter of fact, I could actually make common cause with those who say that the kind of Christianity that Ssempa represents is something that would be anathema to Christ. But, I am not the one to say such things.

But why does Ssempa have to lie? He doesn’t have to.

He is a politician, you have to take a ‘truth-o-meter’ to him.

He justifies the death penalty because of ‘protecting the boy child’.
This is a very, very ironical thing. The laws which were championed by women activisits in Uganda to bridge the gap that was, and is still there between men and women are being used by Ssempa to justify the monstrocity that he proposes. And he supports in full. It is like saying, (pardon me, I know this is touchy material), that a law is made against discrimination of the white male in America.
He then says the whole bill is towards this.
Fact, there is only one line in the bill that talks about under age sex. For Ssempa, who I take to be a person who can read the English, even when not a lawyer, to use that single line to justify everything else is lies. He doesn’t have to. I have reason to believe he actually sent Warren a copy of the bill as it was presented to parliament.
The bill, very very clearly demands the death penalty for sex with a minor, and for

Sex with a disabled companion, with or without consent
Gay sex if I am HIV positive.
As a serial offender. Which means, if I have one prior conviction for gay sex.

He blames us for sex in schools. Gay sex in schools. As if there is no ‘straight sex’ in schools. The idea is to create the atmosphere that there is a whole cabal and force out there that is forcing schools to go onto a homosexual rampage.
He blames the west for the Homosexual Agenda, and recruitment. Gosh! He doesn’t have to… except that he betrays his embrace of Scott Lively’s teaching.
Oh, have I mentioned that gay people are blamed for HIV? And this from a 'noted' HIV activist????

Kind of lies and half truths that are totally unnecessary from a fairly well read man. So, why does he do it?

He will not talk about the mandantory life imprisonment. That is besides the point of course. He will not talk about the virtual ban on all information on sexuality that is not approved by the Minister of Ethics and Integrity, (currently the honoured Nsaba Buturo). When it comes to the sticky point as to why him as a pastor and Christian leader is so ‘unChristian’ and forgets things like Compassion….

Well, that is vintage Ssempa!

It is kind of funny to hear him crow like this. He does that. I bet Rick Warren would run faster, and faster…! Ssempa sells only himself. Just so!

gug

Dialogue?

2009-11-12T13:37:00.001+03:00

PRESENTS

A PUBLIC DIALOGUE

THE ANTI-HOMOSEXUALITY BILL, 2009

Date:

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2009

Time:

1pm-5 pm

Venue:

Faculty of Law Auditorium

SPEAKERS:

Hon. David Bahati, MP Ndorwa East and Sponsor of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill

Assoc. Prof. Sylvia Tamale, Coordinator, Law, Gender & Sexuality Research Project, Faculty of Law.

Rev. Canon. Aaron Mwesigye, Provincial Secretary of the Anglican Church of Uganda

Maj. Rubaramira Ruranga, Human Rights and HIV/AIDS Activist

The good, bad, and Evil...

2009-11-11T10:03:00.001+03:00

I loved this article. The Independent comes out swinging...

Tries to aim for balance, in this world of ours. [Guess we must be balanced, I mean, the world goes on, doesnt it?] with passages like this

"Indeed, one of the key consultants of the bill is not a lawyer at all, but prominent “pro-family” pastor, Martin Ssempa. On the same radio broadcast last week, Ssempa repeatedly touched upon the overarching threats he believes this bill is attempting to remedy: the assault upon African culture and the erosion of family values alongside fears of increased incidences of homosexual recruitment and defilement and their seeming lack of legal consequences. Ssempa argued that, contrary to criticism that the bill unfairly targets homosexuals, it would in effect bring about equal protection under the law for both boys and girls, who are the prime targets for molestation and defilement.

In a recent interview, Ssempa went much further, “I think it is important to understand what sodomy is. It is inherently unhealthy, a sexual lifestyle that involves unmentionable acts.” He went on to note that “by and large many boys and men have been infected and had permanent damage from homosexual behavior. And homosexual men have a higher risk for disease.”

For gay activists in Uganda, there is a mixture of anxiety and disappointment. K, who claims to be an avowed supporter of Musevini and the NRM, seemed most disappointed by the religious fervor underlying the new bill and the subsequent consequences it would have on him and his friends. He noted that he was never recruited to be gay nor was it a conscious choice; rather it was something he implicitly knew from a very young age. It wasn’t until he was in his early 20’s and he moved to Kampala that he met people like him and realised that he was not alone.

“When I came to Kampala, I found so many people, even some small organisations. I feel at home here, only now this bill is really making it worse on me. Really I was so happy and I am happy.”

Martin Sempa

K appeared worried yet defiant, “I think Ssempa has big people with guns and everything, and the way they are threatening us, some of us I think we are ready to die because there’s no way I’m going to go. And I cannot change. They want to preach and they want to educate. Me, I am not going to change.” Regarding Ssempa, K a self-proclaimed god-fearing man, remarked sadly “I don’t think he’s God’s messenger because he is fighting God. If you are fighting one who was created by God, then you are fighting God... To me he is not a pastor because a pastor preaches the word of God. And that is the word of love not hate. Pastor Ssempa is preaching hate.”

Another young gay Ugandan noted that he had been for many years in a committed relationship. “Do some people know? Yes. Do some people suspect? Yes. Can they prove it in court? No. The new bill changes that.”

In a recent interview with Foreign Policy magazine, MP David Bahati did not mince words, “We are asking ourselves; is homosexuality good or bad? We are suggesting that it is bad. It is a behaviour that should not be tolerated. There is no evidence that someone can be born a homosexual.” He went on to note that gay men were three times more likely to transmit the HIV virus.

But according to K, this new law will not eliminate homosexuality, it will merely drive it further underground and accordingly, make it more dangerous, by targeting medical professionals (among others) who treat homosexuals. For him, “this bill is like killing people.”"

It is good reading. A good assesment of what is actually happening on the ground. Read it here.

The Protests before Ugandan missions? They did happen. Here.

Dont know what happened in other countries. Not really.

And, in Uganda? Nothing. Oh well, kind of hard to protest when we might be met with tear gas and police wielding batons. And, we dont exist, do we? ha!

Talking about religious opposition, I was interested in this article from Indonesia. Recently, was talking to a reluctant ally, a guy who had to defend gay people against the bill, but as a matter of, it is his job. I almost felt sorry for him.
He quoted to me how dangerous, and against the religion, and other things. Caught between his job, and his religion, and his culture. Actually, from the way he talked, his culture is permissive but overtly phobic. But, it is good when people actually start discussing. And, it is interesting when I hear of moslems actually discussing homosexuality.

There is more to it than just that.

I have been talking on facebook with guys who, well, besides throwing stones verbally, sweetly ask me to lift the veil of my anonymity, and abuse me. Then they stand on their feet and state what good Christians they are. My reaction is, if I realy needed people to show me Christian Compassion, you are actually showing me a lot. Yeah, and I suspect they are from Ssempa's Church. Why? Because I am what I am...!!!

Ok, actually, because they are steeped in his arguments. They are kind of unique. Remember the article I first quoted? More from it, the Ssempa special.

one of the key consultants of the bill is not a lawyer at all, but prominent “pro-family” pastor, Martin Ssempa. On the same radio broadcast last week, Ssempa repeatedly touched upon the overarching threats he believes this bill is attempting to remedy: the assault upon African culture and the erosion of family values alongside fears of increased incidences of homosexual recruitment and defilement and their seeming lack of legal consequences. Ssempa argued that, contrary to criticism that the bill unfairly targets homosexuals, it would in effect bring about equal protection under the law for both boys and girls, who are the prime targets for molestation and defilement.

For David Bahati, I feel he is kind of out of his league. By the way, does anyone happen to know what denomination of Christianity he is? I have a feeling it is most likely Pentecostal... But, I am not sure. His 'nice piece of legislation' in support of the 'traditional family' is giving him a Hitlerish look!

Ok, he is a good Christian. A good Christian. Who is sincerely convinced that I am a threat to OUR country. He wants me in prison for life, if I dont suffer the death punishment. Here he is praying.

We are a religious country. We, as in Ugandans! These are members of parliament. Those who will vote on the bill.

I was commenting that the international displeasure is continuing to be shown. Here, And here.

Will it work? Have to remind you we are a country that is very proud of our 'leadership' position on the part of homosexuality, and fighting this world wide scourge. Keep your fingers crossed. But, you are more likely to get cramp, before we 'deviate' from our god's ways. Except in corruption of course....!

Indeed, rights are still a struggle.

It is a beautiful day. I will enjoy it, because it is beautiful.

Have a lovely day.

gug

PS: Andrew Mwenda's article deserves a whole post to itself! It is that good... Well, I like it that much! ha

Wanted add in the Monitor Online today

2009-11-10T14:44:00.000+03:00

I hadnt seen this, and someone pointed it out to me.

Cant believe it.

But here it is

http://monitor.co.ug/brochures/Twohomosexuals.pdf

Two homosexuals, Namutebi Ruth and Hilda are wanted by the police, anyone who sees them and has
information leading to their arrest should report to the nearest police station for the safety of our
country. A big reward waits.

It is on Monitor online. Right hand column, at the bottom of the page. Under 'Sponsored links'

Beautiful day.

2009-11-10T14:39:00.001+03:00

Very, beautiful day.

Its afternoon. Sun is mild, for the day. Don’t know what it has been like, earlier. Only aware it didn’t rain, and the sun was out, and it was mild. But I was trying to beat a deadline. So, I was concentrated, working, deeply immersed in what I was doing.

Funny. My lover always complains at the level of that concentration. I seem to withdraw and immerse myself, totally into the work, the computer. And, when he tries to tell a long story, my mind is barely on him. He asks questions, and my mind is not on the answers.

Abstracted.

Maybe it is good. Or not. Doesn’t make for a good relationship when he considers that I am ignoring him.

But, it has been eight long years. Coming to nine. The first flush of love is really much long gone. And I am still with him. He knows my warts. Where they are. And he is with me. I am grateful.

I don’t doubt that I love him. But I also hurt him, very much.

I took a nap, from which I am just waking. Felt that I couldn’t stay in any longer, not when there is so much light and beauty outside.

‘Can I compare you to a summer’s day?’

He was talking of the lover. That he was so fair he couldn’t compare him to the beauty of a day of summer. It is a day of summer here, and I appreciate the sun to which his sun could not be compared.

Will I ever be able to put the poetry of the day, of a soft Kampala afternoon in words which can stand the test of time?

That is poetry, isn’t it?

It is not enough to write. Not enough to see what I see. But to trap a drop of golden sunlight on heavy green leaves, the roughness and brightness, and trap it like a diamond flashes. Something immortal, with some inbuilt value that will always be looked at and admired.

My words fail.

They fail to say what I would have them say. It is not enough to write them. I don’t want to immerse myself in the words. I want the eyes to look out, like I am doing now. To see the sun, the green leaves raised to its caress. Feel the slight wind that stirs and lifts them now and again. I am demanding of my fingers the cleverness and memory of the keyboard, so that they can write while my eyes take in the beauty. It is beautiful, and makes me wish to cry. Tears of happiness.

Much of this beauty is not something we appreciate. No. We don’t.

Just like me. Most of the time I am immersed in things. In ideals, in writing, in books. Just like me, I am drawn away from the contemplation of the beauty of our days.

Yeah, this country, my country, Uganda is beautiful. Enduringly beautiful.

I of course see the rape of the land, and all the bad things that happen.

At the moment, I am immersed in a pet cause that has become more serious than I thought it could be. The ‘Anti-homosexuality Bill’. My life is on line. It is like something out of a thriller… a big government. A people that are not as bad as they are demonized. And, a majority that seeks to kill us off. Except that this is reality. And, I am one of the ‘evil’ ones.

To kill us off.

Serious stuff. Maybe it is very good that I can take some time off and forget. And look at the day, and feel the wind on my skin, and pause and let life like a stream of consciousness stream by me. I feel at one with the beauty of my world. I love it. I love being immersed in this wonderful time and place I call home.

gug

In Solidarity

2009-11-09T22:50:00.002+03:00

UPDATE: My apologies. No, I am not the one who wrote this.

No. Someone wrote it, and sent it to my email. I asked to post it here, and the person agreed. My promise was to keep the person anon. Because being gay supportive is not a very Ugandan trait. Not supported at all.

Anyway, it was not me, but a Ugandan, who is Christian, and horrified.

gug

Here is the letter the person wrote

In solidarity as a Christian against the anti-gay bill

I am a conservative Christian and I have watched on in horror as my church leaders (Anglican) endorsed the anti-gay bill but are opposed to the death penalty as if that is a concession.

I can't believe that our pastoral mentors who are always stressing that we are all sinners, and that we should forgive fellow sinners could agree to such a hate-filled law.

As I boy we grew up being told wonderful bible stories and the more interesting and captivating, the ones my LORD and SAVIOUR told in parables.

One is poignant, the stoning of the adulteress, and Jesus's assertion, that the non-sinners were the only ones qualified to throw even one stone at her. Jesus was sinless and so was entitled by his statement to throw a tempest of stones at her first, and then the angry mob next, but he didn't.

He then set the standard that even though you think you are sinless, neither should you cast the stone. The church has fallen right into the trap, churches in Europe did, associating themselves with the state. This association will blur where the state begins and the church ends.

Hence the failings of the state will be construed to be the failings of the church and this will in turn lead to lack of trust or confidence in our faith leaders, and by extension in the wonderful faith, we have began a journey that will lead us to the European situation where spirituality is virtually dead.

The church in essence by supporting this law has started to categorise sin into different tiers. I have not seen any concerted effort by the church to increase punitive measures for corruption, torture and unlawful detention etc

It creates a perception you can do the above and get scot free, a small sentence but God forbid if you are gay, only your life will do. I consider engaging in homosexual sex( as is my right under freedom of belief) as a sin, but it's not the first of all sin, neither the last, SIN is SIN. But whether I regard it is as Sin, it's irrelevant to one who's belief is different

I can not trust politicians nor government as custodians of "morality" one bit and doing so will be laughable, giving them such wide ranging discretion and power will only lead to it's abuse. I will not leave a thief to guard my house! A crime that is next to impossible to prove, is the easiest to abuse, and is one which should not have such punitive punishment. Wait when opponents of this government start being indicted in court with shady witnesses, and their fortunes are left to the mercy of the court, it's one's word against the other and so, the verdict of guilty or innocent will be 50/50 irrespective of guilt or innocence of the accused. (Even pastors have taken to accusing each other of homosexuality)

I am also disappointed that we Ugandans can have an uproar against actions of two consenting adults, but will not so much as make a whisper when officials steal our funds even those meant to save lives, what bigotry and hypocrisy!

I for one will stick to my LORD and SAVIOUR for guidance by:-

1 Loving God with all my strength, heart and soul.

2. Loving my neighbour as I love myself.

Only through this will I not unwittingly become a Pharisee.

Am here talking about my faith and beliefs but what happened to the right to associate, worship, speech, and have your own belief. Does Uganda equate to the sum total of Christians and Muslims only? Do all Christians believe the same thing? the same for Muslims. I for one as a Ugandan, fear what lies ahead, this year has been the year of hatred. The riots in Kampala led to the death of someone as a result of his ethnicity or assumed ethnicity, now we are turning on others. I aired my views on a social networking site, and I got a lot of stick for it(I was honestly surprised, I used to equate education to liberation and civilisation, not anymore). And I fear for those in the gay community, if I could get such raw hatred for expressing my view, I don't know what will happen when they get their wish. Hatred begets hatred and feeds on itself and consumes all , I fear one day even I will be in this position.

May God bless us Ugandans

God help us all

Christian, to Ugandan Christian

2009-11-09T12:47:00.002+03:00

I loved this article.

Another Christian asking why Ugandan Christians seem to be bloody minded. If only against fellow Ugandans who are homosexual!!!

Here is an excerpt

"At their Nov 2008 meeting, the House of Bishops of the Church of the Province of the West Indies called for an end to capital punishment. “Mindful of our Blessed Lord’s repudiation of ‘an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth,’ and, that in our prayer, study, reflection and experience, the death penalty has not been proved to be a deterrent,” the bishops called on “our people to stand with us in our opposition to the death penalty.”

The clarity of Bishop Boyd's statement and his courage in speaking out leads to this question:

Why can't the Church of Uganda do the same, or for that matter the Province of the West Indies, the Church of England or The Episcopal Church as concerns Uganda's outrageous proposal of a new law providing capital punishment for homosexual acts?

Well, some say, Bishop Boyd is speaking to his own government, not to a foreign government. He has the backing of his own house of bishops already. He is not putting the leadership of a fellow church, the Church of Uganda, in harm's way by his own actions. He is speaking to his own about a problem in the community where he has jurisdiction.

I will continue to call out for other Christians to restrain their brothers and sisters in Uganda. I am not a Christian. I am just asking that Christians act like Christians.

But, there are some who are more 'academic' on this matter of hating gays. In Kenya, no, no. In London, two Kenyan guys got married. It was headline news in Kenya, and, the reaction was very violent. Someone tries to analyse the, err, academic ramifications of this kind of reaction. And rights, of the individual and the state. The Freedom of thought that we hate.

Here.

(Errr, hope I have shown that I can, err, errr, read the Academic treatise too!)

Support in Parliament

2009-11-09T12:06:00.001+03:00

Women MPs in support of the Anti-gay Bill

ISAAC IMAKA

Kampala

Efforts by Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to persuade women MPs to denounce the Anti-homosexuality Bill hit a dead end as the legislators vowed to ensure that it is passed.

While addressing a press conference on Friday, Uganda Women Parliamentarians’ (Uwopa) chairperson Jane Alisemera (Bundibugyo, NRM) told journalists that they have been approached by several civil society organisations asking them to denounce the Bill.

“These people have been sending us phone messages, writing to us letters telling us to denounce the Bill but we are in support of the Bill because in this country we cherish families and children,” she said. The Bill which was tabled by David Bahati (Ndorwa, NRM) last month, is currently before the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs committee.

In one of the communiqués from the CSOs to Uwopa, a copy of which Daily Monitor has seen, they (CSOs) say the Bill is unconstitutional and anti-human rights. “Hon. Bahati’s Bill covers much more than what its title proclaims. It presents one of the most serious attacks to date on the 1995 Constitution and on the key human rights protections enshrined in the Constitution and this should be rejected,” the communiqué reads.

Divergent views, in Uganda

2009-11-09T08:06:00.001+03:00

The Observer is continuing airing views on the gay debate. For them it is a debate, which is interesting. I have pulled out two letters, from the letters page.

Just to show you the 'mood' in the country. Matter of fact, it is still a thing on the periphery of national conscious.

Death for gays is an overkill

Sunday, 08 November 2009 19:02

While I abhor homosexuality, I believe it is not only irresponsible but extremely stupid to hand down a death sentence on actively gay people. Our African leaders will place a treason charge on a person who fairly competes for state power against them in an election!

Remember that the punishment for a treason sentence is death! You want to give these would be killers in government another tool to attempt to kill their opponents with? You are not killing rapists or murderers who kill their political opponents in broad daylight, like what happened at Bulange, but you want to kill people who have voluntarily agreed to disgrace themselves in the privacy of their rooms?! What about the politicians who are publicly disgracing themselves everyday? I believe it’s more shameful and deserving of death to take five million shillings to sell out your country than to voluntarily engage in homosexuality.

Paget Kintu.

kin2pag@gmail.com

Let's stand up to homosexuality

Two recent stories concerning the campaign against homosexuality serve as an encouraging reminder that while much of the world appears to have lost its moral compass, we Ugandans are willing to stand firm in defence of our time-honoured cultural heritage.

At a time when homosexuality and other unnatural forms of sexual behaviour are being re-packaged as “normal”, it’s refreshing to see pastors like Martin Sempa, Steven Langa, and Michael Kyazze, as well as MPs like David Bahati and Benson Obua, reject the pretence that deviant conduct can be socially acceptable. As Dr. Nsaba Buturo, the Minister of Ethics put it, let those who claim that homosexuality is normal start by showing us a single biological being (human or otherwise) that is the product of a homosexual union.

Fellow Ugandans, moral compromise is a very slippery slope and if we allow ourselves to be swayed by a pro-gay media campaign which brands anyone who rejects homosexuality as a “homophobe”, then very soon those who reject rape, paedophilia, and other perversions will also be branded outcasts.

The ongoing debate on the Anti-homosexuality Bill is therefore a momentous occasion to chart our collective moral future and it’s important that our MPs be reminded just how far-reaching the implications of their votes will be. Their decision will shape the social environment that their children and grand-children will inherit.

Waiswa Magoola,

wmagoola@yahoo.com

Our last Frontier? Maybe…

2009-11-08T19:35:00.000+03:00

The media in

Uganda

, and East Africa cannot ignore the interest that is coming from the rest of the world. And, apart from the New Vision which is refusing to ‘debate’ homosexuality, the others are kind of taking up the challenge.

Note, most of them need a little bit more grounding in things which we have known for a long, long time. Like the good Christians that I quoted on Ssanyu FM, not in support of the bill, in the interests of the government not policing morality.

Debate is good. That is why the Bahati Bill seeks to make sure that there is never debate about homosexuality in

Uganda

, under the guise of stopping the ‘promotion of homosexuality’

Yeah, debate is good,

but very predictable in

Uganda

. The Monitor seeks a ‘balanced’ approach. As I said, the govt paper, the New Vision is blind and deaf. Until someone in policy determines that something to do with homosexuality is ‘news’. The red rug is predictable. Sunday headlines were that 2 unnamed ministers were given 700 million UGshillings to ‘go slow’ on the bill.

That rug is really a rug. I mean, a slow news day, and homos to blame for something, and a transparent lie like that is printed. But, it has mass circulation, am told only second to New Vision. And, its ‘sensational’ headlines fall into the hugely homophobic ones. And are dangerous. Homos in

Uganda

are reputedly being funded from ‘abroad’, given money to ‘recruit’, etc, etc. So, we have this kind of money to give to two ministers who are entirely non essential to the passage of the bill?

But, people in

Uganda

will always believe that something is ok. Long as it is a ‘homo’ that is blamed.

Here is the East African’s article on our ‘last frontier’.

Blogs, Facebook:

Uganda

gay’s last frontier

The gay community in Uganda has turned to social media — blogs, twitter, mailing lists and Facebook — in a bid to garner support for its opposition to the anti-Homosexuality Bill 2009 that was recently tabled in parliament.

Saying that the media is openly biased and anti-gay, the community wants activists and evangelists worldwide to speak out against the “criminal and inhumane” Bill and write to the Association of Evangelicals in Africa.

On the Internet, the debate seems to focus on evangelism in and outside Africa and the role evangelists are playing or should play as the Bill awaits presidential assent to become a law.

Many people on a Facebook group formed by Dr Warren Throckmorton, an associate professor at Grove City College, do not approve of homosexuality, though they believe Christianity teaches freedom of conscience and freedom of speech.

“Obedience to the gospel, which pleases Christ comes from free choice and not from coercion of the state through laws like the proposed Bill” is what the Facebook group advocates.

The Bill is also being debated online as a public health and human rights issue by HIV/Aids, health based and human rights organisations.

The draft anti-Homosexuality Bill 2009 tabled by legislator David Bahati seeks to impose strict sanctions on homosexuality and proposes a 7-year jail term for anyone who engages in it or who aids, abets, counsels or procures another to engage in it.

In Uganda, homosexuality, just like sex “against the order of nature,” is criminal and carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

Under the draft Bill, “promotion of homosexuality including publishing information or providing funds, premises for activities or other resources,” is also punishable by seven years imprisonment or a fine of $50,000.

If the Bill is passed, anyone found guilty of homosexuality would be forced to take an HIV test.

Online, the general disapproving view of homosexuality in Uganda is blamed on the country being largely evangelical and very Bible-based — with evangelists claiming that homosexuality is evil and sinful — hence calls on evangelists worldwide to act by speaking out against the Bill.

“They must address their fellow Christians of Uganda and tell them they must, in the name of God, stop this inhumane Bill from becoming law,” says a blogger on lgbtnews, the gay news blog.

It is alleged on Political Research Associates eNews that no view on the morality of homosexuality other than the evangelical view should be given consideration, that to be homosexual is sinful.

The Other Sheep, an ecumenical Christian ministry that works worldwide to empower lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transsexuals and intersexuals, talks of evangelical leaders who are out to perpetuate hate among African evangelicals against homosexuality.

One such leader is the US-based Rick Warren who allegedly told Ugandans that homosexuality is not a natural way of life and thus not a human right.

To the gay community, online evangelicals in Africa are on a witch hunt of homosexuals since most of them see homosexuality as evil and anti-godly.

On the Partners Uganda online forum, Edward Green, the director of the Aids, Prevention Research Project, Harvard Centre for Population and Development Studies says the Bill sounds dangerous and completely inhumane.

He adds that such legislation is unenforceable and would only drive homosexuality farther underground.

Reflections on life

2009-11-08T12:01:00.000+03:00

Sometimes, don’t you wonder, why there seems to be so much pain in the world?

Watching a cartoon, some Grecian story… a classical adapted to today’s digital world. A nephew of mine loves them. Comes and sits and watches them. I also like them. Yeah, used to like them and still do. When I am not doing something else.

I am in a funny mood. Thoughtful. Pensive. My lover wonders whether there is something wrong. Not really. Just a calm, pensive, reflectiveness on life and what it is.

Life is not like a cartoon. Those made for kid stories, sanitized and made to be special. For a child’s consumption. Life is hard and tough. Life is a desert with sand dunes, a rocky desert with no water sometimes, a jungle green with wild animals lurking in the depths of the forest.

Sometimes life is lonely. Sometimes life is too crowded. Sometimes, we are consumed in the things which control us. The making of money. The search for status. Or simple survival.

Who’s to determine what is important to life? Who determines what is, and what is not?

Early in the morning, on Sanyu FM, there was a discussion on the Bahati Bill. These were Christians talking about the bill as it is. They were actually positive. In that they don’t want the bill to pass. For the simple reason that, according to them, it would be putting a ‘moral’ question in the hands of the government. This was God’s sphere of influence, they seemed to say. And, the government had nothing to do with it.

Of course I was with them. I mean, I am with anyone but the one who believes that this bill should be passed. The bill legislates death and life imprisonment for me. Me and my lover. I don’t have a qualm, nor am I able to weigh how bad the support is.

For me, it is no longer an abstraction. It is a reality.

The bill will most likely become law. And, I will have to walk the tightrope that this country of mine will have become for me.

I was struck by how ignorant about me the rest of the population is. The people, the presenters on Ssanyu FM were Christians. They were discussing things from a compassionate point of view. Was death okay for these people? Was life imprisonment ok? What about those who have tried to change and failed? What about those who recruit? What about…?

There were lots of questions.

Yet ignorance, blithely aired out was inescapable. One of the presenters said, very, very sincerely that, ‘Anal sex is so un-natural that, those who recruit for homosexuals have to give them lubricant for anal sex.’

Yes, I may not have got the words right. But that is the gist of the remark.

Yet, these were well meaning Christians, discussing how terrible this bill is.

I was struck by how ignorant the average Ugandan is. At the moment, I have to appeal to his religious sensibilities, to shame him into thinking of the bill as too harsh. Too un-Christian. I cannot claim my right to life. I cannot even dare come out and say that here I am. I must stay hidden, and discuss this bill without showing how passionate I am about it. That it means life and death to me.

I cannot teach fellow Ugandans about what I am. They have taken the darkest of rumours about what I am, and they believe that that is what I am. And, if I try to enlighten them, I am ‘promoting homosexuality’.

And, if the bill becomes law, that will be the hardest problem. Any objective discussion of my sexuality will be ‘promoting’ homosexuality. It will be banned. It will no longer be legal. Imagine, giving out lubricant for sex is ‘promoting homosexuality’!

I must admit that Ugandans are weird in their illogic of homosexuality. I mean, take this fact. They said that homosexuality was very, very common in prison. That the prisoners were using ‘Blue Band’ a very popular brand of margarine, for lubrication. So, the prison authorities banned the Blue Band. No person would visit and bring the poor prisoners any blue band. And, the authorities sat back, satisfied that they have solved the problem. They had made homosexual sex in prison harder.

I shook my head when I heard that. The logic seems so flawed that it is impossible for me to start explaining where it starts going wrong.

By the way, there has been another flare up of the fact that homosexual sex occurs a lot in prison.

(I wonder, Ssempa and co accuse us of ‘recruitment’. That is the catch phrase which justifies the genocidal law to become. To make sure us ‘recruiters’ can no longer recruit. But, what of prison? I mean, with the rampart reports of homosexual sex in prison, isn’t it right to assume that ‘recruiters’ are working overtime in the prison? Isnt it right to assume that every ex-prisoner is a homosexual, having been ‘recruited’ in Uganda’s prisons?)

Anyway, my MP, Beti Kamya, called upon Honourable Bahati to look into homosexuality in prison. I heard her. She said it.

And, what she said fell flat. Absolutely. None of the people who heard her understood the irony of what she said. They just agreed. Hon. Bahati should research and ban the homosexuality in prison.

I shake my head.

Ugandans are not stupid. No, I know we are not.

But we are acting stupid. Ignorant. And, we will not be educated. Not at all. At least, not with regards to homosexuality. Gayism, as some people call it in Ugandanese.

the deities help gay Ugandans

gug

Pilate washes his hands...

2009-11-07T10:01:00.000+03:00

That was a comment that I have lifted from somewhere. The comment was on the Church of Uganda, Anglican statement on the 'Anti-Homosexuality' Bill.

Yes, they have come out with a statement. The statement says that they are still studying the Bahati bill, and for that reason, they have not yet come up with a position of the Church. Very nice words.

Now, how many times have I quoted, from the press and other pronouncements of Church officials, bishops and such like over the previous two, three weeks? The Bishop who condemned the death penalty, and I quote, 'we must emphasize life imprisonment'. Or was that the official Church spokesperson, who is the signatory to the Church of Uganda statement?

What of the time that these guys sent representatives to the Parliament Committee on Presidential affairs? I believe it was the official who has actually signed the statement.
I dislike hypocrisy. I dont like double talking. Church people are not supposed to be politicians. They are supposed to be people who look out for the best interests of other people, who show love for those who are hurt, and lift up those who are down trodden. It is duplitious of them, it is hypocritical, after all the statements that they have made, to come up with a statement which starts with the words that the Church of Uganda has not come up with an official position on the bill.

Oh, by the way, just as a matter of observation. This thing, this statement could not have come up but for the fact that their have been complaints, and outrage from the rest of the world. Christian groups all over the world have called the Murderous Christians of Uganda to account.

This is no court of law. I see what I see, and, I write my conclusions. They may be wrong, but I try to write what is correct. What is logical.

The Church of Uganda, Anglican, has been supporting the Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2009 since it was tabled in parliament. This bill was made with the input of the Church of Uganda. That was a matter of fact. From the statements that the church made, bishops of the church, the official spokesman who, incidentally has signed this statement. The church has supported this bill.
They first backpedalled on the death penalty provision. Yes, they did. Trying to look a bit merciful. They hypocritically supported life imprisonment. So that we poor homosexual sinners could stay alive as they proselytyze us. But not in freedom. Alive in prison.

Pharisees. Hypocrites. Pilate washes his hands....

But, I for one, will not allow them to abdicate their responsibility for hate speech, for pursuing gay Ugandans with the worst possible of things. They are liars and hypocrites.
I no longer mince words. And, what I see, that I say. The Church of Uganda Statement below shows that they are liars and hypocrites. And, they hide behind their robes the hate that they have for Ugandans who happen to be gay like me.

Liars and Hypocrites

This is the Church of Uganda statement.

The Church of Uganda and the "Anti-Homosexuality Bill"

From the Rev. Canon Aaron Mwesigye
Anglican Province of Uganda
November 6, 2009

The Church of Uganda is studying the proposed "Anti-homosexuality bill" and, therefore, does not yet have an official position on the bill. In the meantime, we can restate our position on a number of related issues.

1. Our deepest conviction as the Church of Uganda is that, in Christ, people and their sexual desires are redeemed, and restored to God's original intent. Repentance and obedience to Scripture are the gateway to the redemption of marriage and family and the transformation of society. (Position Paper on Scripture, Authority, and Human Sexuality, May 2005)

2. The House of Bishops resolved in August 2008 that "The Church of Uganda is committed at all levels to offer counseling, healing and prayer for people with homosexual disorientation, especially in our schools and other institutions of learning. The Church is a safe place for individuals, who are confused about their sexuality or struggling with sexual brokenness, to seek help and healing."

3. The Church of Uganda upholds the sanctity of life and cannot support the death penalty.

4. In April 2009, Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi said, "I am appalled to learn that the rumours we have heard for a long time about homosexual recruiting in our schools and amongst our youth are true. I am even more concerned that the practice is more widespread than we originally thought. It is the duty of the church and the government to be watchmen on the wall and to warn and protect our people from harmful and deceitful agendas."

5. "Homosexual practice is incompatible with Scripture." (Resolution of the 1998 Lambeth Conference of Bishops.) Homosexual behaviour is immoral and should not be promoted, supported, or condoned in any way as an "alternative lifestyle." This position has been repeatedly reaffirmed by the House of Bishops and the Provincial Assembly of the Church of Uganda.

6. We cannot support the blessing of same-sex unions or the ordination of homosexuals (Resolution of the 1998 Lambeth Conference of Bishops), and we will oppose efforts to import such practices into Uganda. Again, this position has been repeatedly reaffirmed by the House of Bishops and the Provincial Assembly of the Church of Uganda.

---The Rev. Canon Aaron Mwesigye is Provincial Secretary Church of Uganda. He is based in Kampala

UK, France, USA

2009-11-07T00:54:00.000+03:00

Yeah, condemnation for the bill flows in.

But, be assured that Ugandans will not allow 'foreigners' to discuss their values.

In the words of Minister of Ethics, Nsaba-Buturo, anal sex has no human rights. Sadly, he forgets that it is human beings who have anal sex.
Here is the article about the UK government 'concern'

government 'concerned' about

Uganda

's anti-gay law

By Jessica Geen • November 6, 2009 - 15:44

The UK government has released a statement on the proposals in Uganda to execute people who have gay sex following condemnation of the bill from France and America.

The bill, currently before parliament in the African country, would create a new crime of "aggravated homosexuality".

Those convicted of having gay sex with disabled people and those under the 18 would face the death penalty.

The bill also imposes life imprisonment on those who have homosexual sex. Although this is already the case in Uganda, the new law widens the definition of the offence.

Other offence include promoting homosexuality, aiding and abetting homosexuality and keeping a house "for purposes of homosexuality".

In a statement given to PinkNews.co.uk, a spokeswoman from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: "We are concerned by the introduction of a private member's bill on anti homosexuality in Uganda.

"Adoption of the bill could do serious damage to efforts to tackle HIV and its criminalisation of organisations that support homosexuality could, in theory, encompass most donor agencies and international NGOs.

"The UK, alongside our EU partners, has raised our concerns about the draft bill and LGBT rights more broadly with the government of Uganda, including with the prime minister and several other ministers, the Ugandan Human Rights Commission, and senior officials from the Ugandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"We will continue to track the passage of the bill and to lobby against its introduction."

This week, France's foreign ministry released a statement condemning the bill. It said: "France expresses deep concern regarding the bill currently before the Ugandan parliament.

"France reiterates its commitment to the decriminalisation of homosexuality and the fight against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity."

In America, leana Ros-Lehtinen, (Republican, Miami), Tammy Baldwin, (Democrat, Wisconsin), Gary Ackerman, (Democrat, New York) and Howard Berman, (Democrat, California), have written to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warning that it had severe implications for the freedom and safety of gay people.

A SMUG update

2009-11-06T23:53:00.001+03:00

The High Court of Uganda at Nakawa , presided by Judge Faith Mwondha has granted Kalule Sasha Kirumira court bail of cash 1.000.000 Uganda Shillings ($.500). Kalule Sasha has been in prison for 180 days.

Kalule was arrested on May, 10th 2009 and charged of, carnal knowledge of a person against the order of nature he was granted court bail .

When court granted Kalule bail , the anti gay groups demonstrated in Kampala, and demanded for his re – arrest , he was re-arrested on fresh charges of aggravated defilement.

Kalule first appeared court in on May 18th, 2009 at The Magistrate court in Entebbe.

Today in court Kalule was represented by SMUG Lawyer Lad Rwakafuuzi, from Rwakafuuzi and Co. Advocates . Kalule’s trial starts on the 19th of November 2009.

Judge Faith Mwondha is also former Inspector general of government.

------

Know why we are following up such cases? Well, we tend to be more merciful than Ssempa. It’s a fact that many people are being accused, and immediately condemned as guilty even when they are not. Due process is necessary, even when one is a homosexual. A gay Ugandan.

I know the Bahati bill will strip this basic human right of anyone who is accused of being a homosexual. That is what it reads like. Soon as you are accused, you are tested for HIV and then remanded. For up to a year. Just because someone has accused you of being a homosexual.

(Imagine where Pastor Kayanja would be now). It kind of puts things into perspective, doesn’t it? I mean, Kayanja was an innocent charged. He had the guts, money and clout to fight the witch hunt Ssempa started. And, his clout was good enough to beat back the charges. The accusations. He never even stepped in jail.

But, once the Bahati Bill is passed, this will no longer be possible. Once Kayanja is accused again….!

But, the poor guy dares not come out to demand that the ‘Anti-Homosexuality Bill’ is wrong. He would be immediately labelled homosexual by Ssempa. Yes he would. So, despite all that he went through at earlier in the year, he just cant!

I can imagine the chaos we would cause if Kayanja is accused again, and we offer to help, to defend him.

Makes me love the irony of being human, fallible.

gug

Living Outside Uganda

2009-11-06T18:12:00.001+03:00

I read this article and laughed. Not because the world's Anglicans have been mobilised, or called upon to assert their love of their god, but because of the conclusion that the world outrage has turned the minds of the law.

No. I cannot be that optimistic. The fact is, that that bill, can, and will pass in Uganda. The outrage has not yet been able to turn the tide. Not when Benson writes things like this.

Here is the article, from Church times.

How much influence do you think the rest of the Anglican Communion has on the Ugandan anglicans? Actually, they have influence. If they dare stand up to them and say that, in the name of Christ, what they are proposing to do is not Christ like.
But, will the world's Anglicans do that? I dont think so. Because the politics of church is involved. They fear being called colonisers. Ah!

Here is the article.

World’s Anglicans urged to condemn Ugandan Bill

by Pat Ashworth

UGANDA

’s proposed “Anti-Homosexuality Bill” will expose lesbian and gay Ugandans to draconian legislation and more intense vilification, the Revd Colin Coward, director of Changing Attitude, says. He has criticised Anglicans for their “devastating silence”.

The Bill has been denounced by Amnesty International and other human-rights organisations as “illegal, immoral, ominous, and unnecessary”. Someone convicted of “the offence of homosexuality” would be liable to life imprison ment; the death penalty would apply to “aggravated homosexuality” against a minor; and related offences include “aiding and abetting” and “promoting” homosexuality, all of which carry sentences of up to seven years. Parents could be imprisoned for not denouncing their children.

Changing Attitude and Inclusive Church wrote last week to the Archbishops of Canterbury, York, and Uganda, and to the Bishops of Uganda’s companion dioceses of Bristol, Sodor & Man, and Winchester, asking them to oppose the proposed legislation.

They urged the Archbishop of Uganda, the Most Revd Henry Orombi, to respond faithfully to the commitments made by the Lambeth Conference and the condemnation of homophobia contained in the Lambeth Resolution 1.10 on human sexuality.

“Gay Ugandans are already highly vulnerable, living in Ugandan society, and this Bill is simply going to make life worse for them,” Mr Coward said on Tuesday. “It will encourage people in their prejudices, and it will give people more permission and encouragement to attack anyone they perceive to be homosexual.”

The Church of the Province of Uganda has been firm in its stand against homosexuality, which it described in a paper published in 2005: “Homosexuality, bestiality, incest, paedophilia, fornication, adultery, polygamy/polygyny and polyandry are all manifestations of a perverted sexual desire.” It has also made it clear that gay and lesbian people had “no place in God’s design of creation . . . or His plan of redemption”.

Uganda

’s Ethics and Integrity Minister, Nsaba Buturo, is reported to be a member of the Church of the Province of Uganda. He is quoted at a press conference to introduce the Bill as saying the legislation would make Uganda a leader in countering gay culture in Africa. “On the issue of homosexuality, let them forget about [human rights]. The govern ment has started biting,” he said.

The Revd Dr Andrew Goddard, an Evangelical theologian, has criticised the Bill in a briefing paper for Fulcrum, a broad Evangelical network. “The proposed legislation cannot simply be ignored, given its apparent support from a leading government minister, its incompatibility with Anglican teaching, its undermining of Anglican ministry and mission, and the danger it represents to many Anglicans and others in Uganda who are likely to face prosecution should it become law,” he said.

Many think the Bill is unlikely to go through in the face of global criticism and in the light of Uganda’s dependence on US aid. The Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights and Constitutional Law has pointed out that the Bill’s call for Uganda to nullify any inter national protocols contradictory to the Bill would mean the country’s withdrawal from international covenants, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The Ugandan Church will be wary of being told what to think by its former colonial masters, experts on the African Church suggest. Archbishop Orombi joined fellow Primates at Dromantine in 2005 to condemn homophobia as “anathema”, although he would not respond to a direct question at the press conference about the situation in his own country.

The Archbishop of Canterbury has spoken out where an archbishop or bishop has allied himself publicly with legislation of this nature. In September 2007, he described as “unacceptable and profoundly shocking on the lips of any Christians” remarks made by the Bishop of Uyo, Nigeria, the Rt Revd Isaac Orama, that homosexuality and lesbianism were “inhuman” and those who practised them “insane, satanic and not fit to live” (News, 14 September 2007).

Well, it seems some people dont understand that in Uganda, gay people are not human beings. How can they be Christians? How can Christians be made to be merciful to these sinners?

BRING YOU THE STONES!!!! SOON, WE SHALL START THROWING THEM.

BRING THE STONES, LET US PILE THEM HERE!

Hypocrisy, Uganda style

2009-11-06T09:11:00.000+03:00

Last night, we were in the living room. As usual.

We had had a fight. Well, life...! And we were not talking. So, I was more than usually interested in what was happening on the TV. Channel surfing. That seems to be a past time for me.
Stumbled across the program 'On the Spot' on NTV.

In the hot seat was the MP, I think the name is Mafaabi. He is chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of Uganda's Parliament. He is an opposition MP. Or, at least as far as they revealed, affiliated to them. And, the topic was corruption in Uganda.

Actually, corruption during CHOGM. You know, in 2007? Uganda held the Commonwealth Heads of Govt meeting. I blogged about it. Well, they stopped us from attending the 'People's Space'. Ssempa engineered that.

The Public Accounts Committee has been going into the dirt of what went around then. Billions misspent. Contracts made on short notice, with the express intention of stealing. Government ministers implicated. That is the usual story.

It is sad.

Yeah, we are so innured to this that we no longer think it interesting. So, the Vice President was implicated the other day, this week. It made headlines, and disappeared. Yes, he did.
So, yesterday, there was going to be another big revelation. One of the big ministers, the real kitchen cabinet, manouvred to cancel a contract that had been worn by a reputed company. It was then awarded to a company that was new, had no track record.
Well, the revelation was that the big minister, Kutesa, was a shareholder in the company, that had been hastily formed for that purpose.

That is not news in Uganda.

What was news was the fact that it was mentioned on camera in the PAC. What was more interesting was the disruption which followed the announcement. The honourable MPs went into a free for all shouting match. The Chairman of the committee had to adjourn the meeting.

And, on air, on the programme, the Chairman 'revealed' that the NRM Chief party whip, had actually held a meeting earlier on and told his MPs that they were to disrupt the proceedings. The ruling party big whigs are being implicated. They are the ones who stole the billions, who continue to rape the country. And, the committee was frankly airing this.

The presenter was stunned. I was too. I mean, the very gal of it!

Yet, this is a country which has decided to lead the rest of Africa and the world to stump out the moral cancer of homosexuality!
I know, we gay Ugandans are the fall guys. We are the minority that will take the attention of the populace off the ills that bedevil the country. That is the unadultered, unvarnished fact. So, there is a moral crusade to 'wipe out gays from Uganda' And, corruption is not investigated.

I mean, such revelations would have led to resignations. In any country but Uganda. No. The VP is still the VP. And, Kuteesa is still a big minister. And the NSSF scandals barely touched the big minister concerned.

The president is supposed to be above the fray. Any criticism of him is subject to automatic censorship.

Yeah, that is Ugandan democracy. Ugandan leadership.

But no need to be unhappy about that. That is life as it is. The fact that we realise that something is wrong, we can of course try to put it right. Right now, besides ridding Uganda of homosexuals, (the law is before parliament) we are also going to rid Uganda of corruption.

Which venture is most likely to be successful? You are allowed to place bets on that...!

Hey, the day is very beautiful. Green everywhere. I have written a poem about love, for the first time in a long while. Feel the juices stirring, and life flowing back into my hands.

Hope your day is good. Be good.

gug

Put Down the Stones-- MP Benson

2009-11-05T21:23:00.000+03:00

I sent this article to some people, including the co-sponsors of the Bahati Bill. That is MP's Benson, and David Bahati.

MP Benson was glad to pen this note back to me...

Dear Anonymous Gay,

And you think this will deter us?

There are a very few aspects of the Bill that we can concede on like the Death
Penalty and Extra-territorail Jurisdiction, but Gays won't have a field day in
this country, try as the would. It is not about any of those Anti-Gya
activists being attacked in the media. It is about Uganda. If only Gays could
do it behind closed doors and not try to lure the innocent poor youth, it
would be a different matter. But they are becoming bolder and bolder.

Benson

Way to go, way to go, way to go....!!!!

Round ups, Was off!

2009-11-04T23:28:00.001+03:00

Yeah, and it seems, even less than 24 hours off the net makes more info available on the bill. The Bahati Bill of course.

Anti-Homosexuality Bill No. 18 of 2009 of the Parliament of Uganda. They will come to rue that.

First, here is a fantastic article, detailing some of the effects on HIV prevention in Uganda. Adding a D to ABC. D for death. Thanks Warren. You can really fight the good fight! Its well worth reading. I know diamonds when I see them. Can quickly differentiate them from broken glass!!

And another article, urging Christians in America to intervene. Christians urged to speak out against the Uganda's Anti Gay Bill.

You ask why I emphasize that? It is because it is Christians in Uganda who are persecuting gay Ugandans. And Christians in Uganda who believe they are so moral that it is their God given right to pursue homosexual Ugandans because the Bible tells them to Stone them.

The Christians, all over the world, this is my prayer. That you will join hands to negotiate and open the eyes of Ugandan Christians. They believe that this is a chance for them to show the world how Ugandans can lead. Fact. That was what Bahati, Ssempa, Nsaba-Buturo, the master minds of this genocidal bill believe. Death and life imprisonment for any homosexual. In the name of the 'traditional family,' and Christian values.

So, Christian, are your values the same, or not? Will you keep quiet? I challenge you, in the name of Christ. Speak up, or never again hold your head up as a Christian. You wont deserve because you are simply not Christ like!

Sorry. I refuse to parse words. To moderate them. It is my life's worth if YOU dont speak out. They can hear you. Me, am a sinner whose every complaint does not deserve to be heard.

Sylvia Tamale's legal opinion gets more play. The lady is a firebrand.... And she leads from the heart. Good for you lady!

Over in Kenya, the debate is very different. A Gay Census, when homosexuality is illegal? So, is it stand up and be counted and then go to jail? Well, well, well... I will leave that to my neighbours to the east. If that was to happen in Uganda, the sum total of Gay Ugandans would be ZERO...! ha ha ha. You know why. I bet Bahati would take that as proof that his bill has worked...

Truth Wins Out comes out with a call that would label me unpatriotic for highlighting it here. But, for you hypocrite who dares to label me unUgandan, and unAfrican, dare tell me what I owe to a country whose legislature plans to kill me. What do I owe them? My love for my country does not include a love of suicide. Sorry. I dont parse my words. No longer.

Do you think the support outside is resonating in Uganda?

No, it isnt. Rather, some people have their backs up. In addition to the facebook group that is fighting the bill, there is another one. This one is saying that they are Ugandans, and they do support the Bill. Reading through their commentary is something nauseating. But, you have to understand where we are. Where we gay Ugandans are coming from. The Facebook group.

Yes, the comments are nauseus. The bill, according to many, is really overdue! Death, castration, and all other things for the gay Ugandan. God help us. It is not nice to be vindicated. Hatred and pus is not a pretty picture. Fact.

And, there is this gentleman who takes on Buturo and Bahati. They are more dangerous than gay Ugandans. Read it, it is really long! Or, should I say 'lawyerly'!!!!!

And, I have joined the group of Ugandans that hate gays. Serious. I have joined them. Very likely to elicit more hatred... But, why should I hide the hate that spills from some very good Christian souls and my country mates?

Dont have any reason to hide our dirty laundry. None at all, dear Ugandan.

No, I will not curse my mother land, but, I might come periliously close to....!

gug

PS. It is okay for the persecuted to ask in bewilderement, "But Why?"

Why all the hate, why the belief that I am bad, evil, only good for the grave? Why do people that I look to actually come out to condemn me with such venom? How come I am so bad?

No. I cant believe in my badness. Sorry, I went through that, and I will defend my self. But, it is good to find a bit of peace for my questioning, bewildered mind. Read this. It might explain a little, put in some academic terms the fact of gay hate in Uganda.... It soothes me. A little. At least I can begin to understand. And fight back, more effectively. Maybe.

Why...?!