GayUganda

A must read

2009-11-27T10:02:00.001+03:00

Actually, I am feeling low. Let me say the realisation of too many battles to fight is sometimes overwhelming.

It was that article in the Observer. And, the comments..... Which I should be used to by now.

Anyway, here is a must read blog post that nicely summarises the dilemma of the Anglican Church. And, their cowardice...!

The conclusion is,

But I don't think these arguments are in the end convincing, and for three reasons. The first is that the situation could hardly be worse. If nothing is done, the bill will very probably pass. So the worst that any intervention could accomplish is to fail to prevent what we are trying to stop, rather than bringing it about. The second is that the Anglican church of Uganda is not really part of the same communion any longer as the Church of England. It was one of the driving forces behind the Gafcon meeting last summer. The third, and the most important one, is that the Church of England needs to retain some connection with the generally accepted morality of the nation around it. These days, killing gay people for having sex is no longer regarded as a moral act. It may be that the Ugandan church will excuse itself by saying that it cannot flout Ugandan public opinion. But why should the Church of England be allowed to flout English concepts of decency by acquiescing with its silence in this crime?

Indeed!!!!

But, dont settle for the summary. Read the whole blog post in the Guardian here.

And, to remember that my world is still beautiful, even if I cannot write a poem now, let me pick at least one of those pics...!

Kind of a wrap up

2009-11-26T22:56:00.001+03:00

The international media has caught on. Maybe even the one in Uganda.

The most important part of the story is the International connection. No. The Uganda-America connection. Remember why the Pres commented that European Homosexuals were recruiting? I wondered why he singled out Europeans.

Now, maybe I should not have wandered.

Ok, officially, you all have to know that, going into politics is kind of dangerous for a Ugandan. So, I will not be very very open on such things. I live, work and am in Uganda. Have to be a little less brave, to continue drawing breath. And, I do want to do that.

But, I can report what is being reported....!

The conspiracy theory that I thought was? No. It was no conspiracy theory. And, it has actually spilt over into the media in Uganda. The Observer printed this story on its front page.

'Museveni, Bahati named in US 'Cult'.'

Sometimes, brazen outing like this IS the protection. So, maybe they did it right... I bet the Independent and the Daily Monitor will soon be on it. Dont expect a peep out of New Vision.

In the American blogosphere, it has just become more electric. Check out the Box Turtle Bulletin here. The story is not only Uganda. It is much bigger than this poor, Central African Country! And, check out Warren Throckmorton. And some others. I guess life got a bit more interesting than it was for a long while...!

Of countries, did I note that Canada joined the US, and UK? Good for them.

And then, of course the Stephen Lewis speech. Which serves to put the issue on the agenda of the Commonwealth. However peripherally.

World AIDS Day, December 1st is actually near. It is Tuesday next week. What better time to highlight the fact that the Bahati bill is an HIV spreading bill. Ssempa says otherwise, but, I am not sure whether he read for the MPH which he is supposed to have. Here are some articles on it. From Human Rights Watch. The Commonwealth itself.

Christians of every colour are continuing to express outrage at the bill.

True. And, to any Christian who says otherwise, my simple question is, have you read the Bill? Because it is not simple to just say it is the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, and then you stop there. Read it, and, find how much support you have for it. Otherwise, you will reconsider how Christian you are. Here is the bill again.

Changing Attitude is working on changing the attitude of Canterbury. The Episcopal Church is speaking out, Bishop by outraged Bishop. And, Christians who dont support gay 'life style' as they call it, are also coming up with a position against the bill. Here is another one outraged.

So, where does it all take us?

Outrage and disbelief outside the country. Inside the country, even Christian Bishops are thinking like they are gods. I am serious.
The Church of Uganda officially said it is studying the bill. What is happening on the ground is much different. In Churches, the good reverends are whipping up homophobia. They are preaching hate sermons. Very much like this one, from the Bishop of Karamoja. I am not joking. I have heard it from people who listened to the sermons.

So, a state of homophobia, being whipped up. A genocidal bill in parliament.

ugh... ! I will think positive thoughts

gug

Some Pics

2009-11-26T20:45:00.002+03:00

Of friends in the US who protested the bill.

Thanks brothers and sisters. You mean more to me than those who are ready to kill me.

(Shhh, the price of supporting me is kind of high. One guy, an Anglican who felt impressed enough to be on my side, was supporting gay Ugandans in a debate amongst friends. And, one of the friends threatened to report him to police.
True. That is the story as it was told to me. And, I trust the source. It is the guy who wrote this post that i put here.)

So, my thanks for friends who can and do dare speak out on MY behalf. Thanks, and again, thanks.

The pics are from HRC website.

Rambling thoughts

2009-11-26T13:08:00.002+03:00

If Christians do take up this bill with the fervour that it is due, I will cease to think so badly of Christianity.

I am afraid, for me, Roman Catholicism is lost. It is not in my nature to be taught what to think. I resent that. Too independent…

But, when a person, a Christian, especially one who is not part of the ‘homosexual agenda’ takes up this.... Well, I stop to listen. Because it is something that makes me believe that the essential ideals of Christianity are truly good.

Not like Rick Warren did. Dissociating himself from Ssempa. That is what a politician is. And, hopefully, a Christian is not at heart a politician. Criticism from an unbeliever! Though, I can of tend to think Warren was a bit embarrassed, as was Ssempa, at how abruptly that relationship ended. Well, that is politics…!

But, not to be distracted, here are some fighting words. Quoted here, with similar nuances, and written here.

"Let me make this clear:

I don’t care how conservative your theological belief system is, killing people or imprisoning them for being gay or lesbian is wrong and should never, ever happen.

Notwithstanding, according to the bill, I, as a straight person, would also be imprisoned if I don’t turn in gays and lesbians to the Ugandan government.

....Please spread the word. No Christian (or person in general) should ever let this happen on our watch."

As for governments criticizing the bill.

Governments are supposed to be servants of the people. Yeah, democracy is great, isn’t it? Except in backwaters like Uganda where it is being used to legally kill a minority. I had forgotten…. Same thing happened in Rwanda. And in Nazi Germany.

Our backwater is not that isolated! At least not in ideaology.

Canada

, the government, seems to have joined the US, France, Britain. The Anglican Church of Canada didn’t mince words, demanding that their Ugandan brothers condemn the bill. When they were amongst the most vociferous supporters, before pressure made them become ‘voiceless.’

It has become an issue at the CHOGM meeting. Museveni is chairing the meet. And, Stephen Lewis took umbrage at that. It was taken up by the media. Of course.

Human Rights groups?

They are loud. They are frank. And, they are fearless. Unfortunately, they cry wolf so much that they are not listened too that much. But, they are listened to…!

Now, like any good citizen, I dont think good of the thinking capacity of 'government'. But, one has to pose and wonder, how did this coalition of consensus come to come about?

Ssempa will say, and believe, that it is because of the 'Homosexual Agenda' They are big. They are strong. They are mighty. Let us stamp them out from Uganda.

But, I will beg to differ. I cannot lie to myself about the extent of my strengths. Even enemies like Ssempa say that to rally the unthinking troops.

Why have we been able to?

Because the Bill, the Bahati, Anti-Homosexuality Bill itself is such a monstrosity that no person who reads it will stop themselves from a righteous anger.

Funny, but our strongest recruiting factor is the Bill. Have you read it? Here! No. It is not good reading. So, brace yourself. But, you will find lots of good, Christian, moral intentions.

Sighhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!

gug

Not all Christians the same.

2009-11-26T08:20:00.003+03:00

From the last post, you picked the outrage of some Christians.

But, here is the view of one of the Bishops of the Anglican Church in Uganda. It is not pretty. Not at all. But, sometimes it is best to know what the other side thinks.

He starts with a sermon. I am not too good at that. So, I pick up from where the sermon gets into practical applications. Here is the original article.

For Some Anglicans, Vices are now Virtues.

and, the conclusion;

Christianity indeed is under attack; attack from within herself and by her very own. Persecution of the church is on the loose. The powers and world forces of wickedness (Ephesians 6. 12) are now in real play.

Yes, laws if in place can help put on check any vice including this one. Like HIV which breads among others, in disco halls and night drinking sprees, which can be stopped or reduced by laws if put in place, like the wizard spirit which society and the Gospel of Christ shunned, the vice of homosexuality through the necessary laws in place can be checked. We must keep it away from our children. Our ancestors didn’t know it, we do not know it, our children must not know it.

Our children are ignorant of the vice; but gays and their sympathizers want to appeal to their psyche, to their consciousness that they be infected too. They are spreading it in our institutions of learning. They want to condition every penny that comes to our government or churches or Non-Government Organizations. If you are dinning with such evil plan, come out of it; the Province of the Church of Uganda, as you know, is leading the way, let’s join the way. Homosexuality is infectious, it is a disease in the West and not so much in Africa and that is why they want to influence any agenda in order to entrench it. If it is inborn as they say, then it is transmitted and conceived in the mind, that it actualizes itself in one. Africans who have it have contracted it from the West or from acquainting with people who have it. Yes, it is infectious and it can be fought and defeated. It is a vice which has multiplied in the recent decades in the West; it can be fought and stopped.

Africa, run away from gays, let us save our continent by refuting the vice; practice, and preserve our heritage, that is our traditions and culture believing and trusting in the Almighty God. “”Rise and shine for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you”” (Isaiah 60 : 1). Gayism can be fought like any other disease against the people and the Word of God. It is a sickness so we can fight and defeat it. One of the ways to fight it should be by prevention of its spread, by putting laws in place, preach the Word and pray to God to heal and orient those disoriented; there is need for a commandment(s) to enforce. Christ is the answer, feelings or sympathies, especially on evil, are not! Ugandan Parliament, the watch dog of our laws, please go ahead and put the anti- Gay laws in place. It is then that we become truly accountable to our young and to this country, not to

Canada

England

. We are in charge! We have our entrenched birthrights, Ugandans should not accept to sell or mortgage these God given birthrights.

Bishop Joseph Abura of Karamoja Diocese, Province of the Anglican Church of

Uganda

.

I know lots of friends who will not be happy about this. But, take it as a challenge. You, as Christians, have to make such a person understand a little more about humanity, and Christ, and other things...! Take it as a challenge!

Is this the official view of the Church of Uganda? No. They are still studying the Bill. This is the view of the Bishop of the Province of Karamoja, Anglican.

But, here is one other Christian group, a Church, that has come out unequivocally against the bill.

The United Reformed Church (URC) has become the first major Christian denomination in the

to issue a statement condemning

Uganda

’s proposed Anti-Homosexuality Bill.

In a press release today the Church said that its commitment to justice and equality meant it was ‘appalled’ at the ‘draconian measures’ proposed by Bill.

The URC passed an anti-homophobia resolution at its 1999 General Assembly saying that the: “Assembly condemns violence against homosexual people and urges all members of the United Reformed Church to be vocal in their opposition of homophobia.”

Homophobia was defined as “intense hatred or fear of homosexuals or homosexuality.”

Simon Loveitt, the URC’s spokesperson on public issues said: “This draft legislation represents a clear infringement of human rights and is morally repugnant. It also infringes the African principles of ubuntu and we add our voice to the many calling for the immediate withdrawal of this discriminatory Bill.”

Ubuntu is the African concept ‘that my humanity can only be expressed through the humanity of others’

Why Christians? Isnt it becoming a circus? Well, I am caught in the middle. Clearly, the two sides of the debate, as shown above, dont see the same person when they see a gay Ugandan. One sees an appalling threat. Another sees a human being.

God in Heaven!

gug

What to do?

2009-11-25T23:03:00.004+03:00

The blogosphere was saturated. Now, it has hit the mainstream media. Outside Uganda.

What will the country do?

I dont know. I am an interested party. It is my life on line. And, I am not ashamed to ask that the pressure is kept up. That the screws are turned.
Jackfruity takes on the question. She suggests the US should turn off the military aid. Yeah, we are fighting that, the War on Terror. In Somalia, and of course back at home. And, American money is flowing in. Turn off those taps. I personally think it would be effective. But, will it happen? Not likely. America still needs foot soldiers...!

Stephen Lewis. Ahhhhhh! Firebrand. And, friend of Ssempa... I mean, one of his enemies. Apparently, CHOGM is come again. And, President Museveni is the chair. And, Lewis pulls no punches. He dedicates the whole of his speech to it. The chairing is a mockery of Commonwealth principles.

That speech will have most of our LGBT friends ecstatic. A most passionate indictment of homophobia. Yeah, go on guys. Here is a link to the speech.
I know. We are nentherdals here, in Uganda. We dont listen to reason, especially when the subject is homosexuality. Which means that Ssempa will be ecstatic. The homosexual agenda is not pulling its punches.

I am kind of amazed at the international solidarity. But, the bill, that Bill is so infuriating, that one just has to read it to get incessed. To hell with finessing. Of course, we shall have a backlash. But, for the good of the world, we can suffer a little bit. Expose the homophobes. Let Ugandan leaders understand that they cannot just kill their people, just because they are 'dirty'. Yes, let them know that the price is international distaste.

America's Cultural wars. Sigh.......! Before, it was the war on terror. Now, this one was so covert, I was on the front line but didnt know it. Not at all!
Enough already?.... Oh, well. Like all victims of war, one never ever chooses to be there. So, enough with the whining. But, we have some very interesting allies. Maybe the frontlines are not that well defined! I mean Exodus International. But still, it is good to have some intelligence of the wider war, not the battle infront of me. Interesting. A tug on my mind.... Concentrate!

Just found that my little piece of battle is part of a wider war.

And, a neighbouring country, Rwanda, is actually in the same war. Amazing. Someone asks, why does our money go to people who dont share our democratic ideals but our religious ones.... especially the conservative ones? Subsidising homophobia. What can I comment, there?

So, what will my Ugandan leaders do?

They will condemn me as un-patriotic. Thank you very much, but the idea that I, a citizen have to debate about my liberty, my life is something not meant to shape my patriotism. Or lack of it. So, for any Ugandan who thinks like so.... ask yourself why I have to be more 'patriotic' than you, dear friend.

Ssempa and co will be happy. The international attention. What they are not happy about is the fact that even their allies are not happy. That is why the churches have to continue with their pressure.
Will the govt duck responsibility?

Of course, they will. But, how to let this all go 'quietly'? That may be a problem....!

But, meantime, I keep up the pressure. I have no option.

gug

Stephen Lewis Speech at CHOGM

2009-11-25T14:50:00.000+03:00

I cannot do any favours to this speech, picking and choosing what to put here.

I will just give a link to the full text of the speech. What has been reported is causing waves elsewhere. But, this is a case of the report being too shallow. If it doesnt contain the whole. Nothing else will do.

I am a citizen of the world. Sometimes, I forget that my small world is a microcosm of a bigger one.

But, this speech reminds me that, it is not ALL ABOUT ME.

Download it. Then sit down and read it. It has a lot to offer. To anyone.

gug

gug

Loving Hate

2009-11-25T10:40:00.000+03:00

I am in a war.

No. It is not my choice. I have not asked for it. Just that I was born at a time and place, and of a sexual orientation that is different from the rest of the world.

I don’t understand why the enemy fights me.

True, I don’t really understand. But, my understanding goes as far as knowing that they really will stop at nothing to win their war.

They say that they love me. So, all that they do, in the name of their god, they do for love of me. I didn’t ask them for their love. No. I didn’t. What I see is that I am a fellow human being. A citizen of this earth. But, they say they are the inheritors. And, they would want to drive out all those who are like me. Of course in the name of love, and Christ. And religion.

They have lots of justifications. I do not claim to understand all their logic. All the long winded arguments. What I understand is that they are persecuting me. And, if I was to ask, why are you persecuting me, why are you hitting out at me, they answer, like in this story, ‘you are dirty.’

I am so dirty that thieves, murderers and others have the right to beat me infront of the authorities. What is my God licensnced crime? Just read the story which I picked up here.

“Almost three decades later, I found myself in a concentration camp at the outskirts of Addis Ababa.

“One early morning, I heard someone screaming. When I followed the voice, a habitual offender jailed for the second time for aggravated robbery and another one sentenced to life for murder, was brutally clubbing a fellow inmate in front of a prison guard. When I asked the guard, why he sanctioned the beating, he answered simply “he’s dirty.” Another inmate who noticed my bewilderment told me that the hapless boy is gay.””

Yes. That is my crime, before my country mates. Fellow humans. Fellow Africans. That is my crime, the one that brings out all the hate in you.

I am gay.

I hear the cries down the centuries. The condemning voices. ‘He is a Jew’. ‘He is a Cockroach, a Tutsi.’, in Kenya it was, ‘He is Jaluo’, or, ‘he is Kikuyu’. In

South Africa

, it is damning, as they beat and torch ‘foreigners’, ‘He is a foreigner’.

No further explanation is needed for our unthinking hate. And, it is hate.

I cannot deny being a human being like you. You look too much like me for me to deny we are related. I don’t understand your hate. But, it still hurts.

I am in a war, not of my choosing. And, an arrow into my chest hurts as much as it would hurt, shot into yours.

I am in a war to the death. I will not hold back, because I don’t understand your hate of me.

gug

Movement, in the Episcopal Church

2009-11-24T18:35:00.001+03:00

Executive Council members call for special meeting on

Uganda

legislation

By Mary Frances Schjonberg,

[Episcopal News Service] A teleconference meeting of the Episcopal Church's Executive Council will take place on Dec. 7 to discuss a possible statement on Ugandan legislation that would imprison for life or execute people who violate that country's anti-homosexuality laws.

Sixteen members of the council requested the meeting with a handwritten petition that said a motion would be offered at the meeting "regarding the urgent human rights situation in Uganda."

Homosexuality in the African nation currently carries a penalty of up to 14 years imprisonment. If passed, the proposed bill would extend prison sentences for homosexuals up to and including life imprisonment and introduce the death penalty for "aggravated homosexuality," which includes assault against people under the age of 18 and those with disabilities. It also would give Ugandan courts jurisdiction over Ugandan citizens who violate the law "partly outside or partly in Uganda."

The Executive Council, an elected group of clergy, laity and bishops that carries out the programs and policies adopted by the General Convention, according to Canon I.4 (1)(a), normally meets three to four times a year. The next meeting is set for Feb. 19-22.

However, the Presiding Bishop as president of the council may call a special meeting and a minimum of nine council members may petition in writing for such a meeting under Canon I.4 (4)(a).

The last special meeting occurred April 13, 2005 when then-Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold called a one-day meeting in Mundelein, Illinois near Chicago to formulate a response to a request of the Anglican Communion's primates that the Episcopal Church voluntarily withdraw from the Anglican Consultative Council until the next meeting of the 2008 Lambeth Conference. The minutes of that meeting are here and the response is here.

The 16 members circulated the petition amongst themselves at a Nov. 17-20 gathering in Chicago of the Episcopal Church's so-called interim bodies, the Committees, Commissions, Agencies and Boards (commonly know as CCABs). The members were at the meeting in their roles as council liaisons to the church's standing commissions. All council members who were approached to sign the petition, agreed to do so, according to Sarah Dylan Breuer, council member from Massachusetts and one of the signers.

The council members' request came on the same day that the Chicago Consultation, a group of lay and ordained Episcopalians, called on Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, House of Deputies President Bonnie Anderson, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, and Archbishop Henri Orombi of Uganda to speak out against the legislation. None of them has issued any statements thus far.

also, they quote....

The Anglican Church of Uganda on Nov. 6 issued a press release saying that it is studying the bill and does not yet have an official position on the proposed legislation. However, the release restated the Ugandan church's position that "homosexual behavior is immoral and should not be promoted, supported, or condoned in any way as an 'alternative lifestyle.'"
And AllAfrica.com reported Oct. 29 that the church's provincial secretary told the Monitor newspaper in Kampala, Uganda that jailing homosexuals was preferable to executing them. "If you kill the people, to whom will the message go? We need to have imprisonment for life if the person is still alive," said the Rev. Canon Aaron Mwesigye, according to the website.

Contrast this opinion with that of the dreaded, foreigners who are Christian...

Alexander Baumgarten, director of the Episcopal Church's Office of Government Relations, recently toldENS that "the Episcopal Church, like the Anglican Communion as a whole, is very clear in its support for the human rights of all people, including gay and lesbian persons."
"For us in the Episcopal Church, that means we oppose all abuses of human rights, whether in our own midst or in other parts of the world, and we seek to make that opposition known through our ministry of advocacy," he said.

Is it the same world? Is it the same church?

I belong to only the world. Not the church. I watch. I wait. I will see. God willing, if I am still alive.

gug

Two Divergent Opinions. In Uganda

2009-11-24T09:34:00.001+03:00

Debate, in the Monitor.

Yes, they seem commited to debate. Independence is a funny thing. Monitor journalists may be homophobic personally, but, they are susceptible to reason. So, when there is a debate on, they dare to tackle debate about homosexuality in Uganda.

Sadly, the biggest circulation paper is the New Vision, a government daily, which once upon a time was strongly inclined towards debate. Now, it is so silent that you may laugh. They are hobbled. By ‘policy’. Poor New Vision…’for a better Uganda’!

Here are two opinion pieces from the Monitor.

We must not lose the battle against homosexuality

REV. DR. FRED S. MWESIGWA senior lecturer at Uganda Christian University, Mukono

fsmwesigwa@educ.ucu.ac.ug

And, why MUST we NOT lose this war? His arguments run along this.

A minority have NO rights in a democracy.
I quote “I strongly argue that this will be a bold statement about how democratic Uganda is. Madill has a wrong notion of democracy that subscribes to the view that a minority who decide to promote un-African and un-Godly sexual expressions should have their rights safeguarded in a democratic country.”
In the ‘West’ Christians are running away from homosexual accepting churches.
We should not allow a ‘dictation’ by the minority through ‘political correctness’
I quote, “one of the main problems of the western world is the acceptance of the dictatorship of the minority whereby in order to be seen to be politically correct, the majority will eventually give in to any wayward group to save face. In some countries of the western world, it is now a human right to walk naked in some areas and some beaches have been gazetted nudist by naturists. Question is, if you concede ground to homosexuality, aren’t you opening a flood-gate for other aberrations like bestiality?”
We should not ‘compromise on moral issues’
And, in Uganda of course, homosexuality is a bigger moral issue than rampart corruption. Of course.
Ugandans are ‘some of the most loving human beings on earth’ “but they hold true to strong cultural and religious values that abhor the sin of homosexuality, much as they love the homosexuals and desire to see them change.”
Well, I am a Ugandan who is gay, and, I am yet to see this very starling characteristic of my countrymates. Hey Christians, when will you ever understand the hypocrisy of loving the sin and hating the sinner… or the other way around!

And, we end with this dire prediction. “The time is now for Parliament to declare whether

Uganda

should dance to every tune that is played by western countries. If the Anti-homosexuality Bill fails to be passed, as sure as night follows day, I can visualise a plethora of sexual aberrations that will be fronted as human rights issues in

Uganda

in the not so distant future”

Well. what a BROADSIDE!

But, there is a divergent opinion, which seems weak besides that well coached and arousing call to action.

It matters to understand uniqueness of gay people

KIFLU HUSSAIN

Mr Kiflu is an Ethiopian Refugee living in Uganda

kiflukam@yahoo.com

For a moment, I thought I had written the story. Yeah, the ‘uniqueness of gay people’!!!!!

But, then I saw first the laying down of heterosexual credentials. NB. In Uganda, you MUST be able to convince others that you are not gay.

But, he brings about another of those things which, for some reason, Africans see as wrong. Left handedness. I can vouch for such a story. I do remember, in my primary, a child being beaten for writing with his left hand. Made an impression that has never deserted me.

“Except me, all my family members are right handed. That left handedness was discovered when I began to go to school. Right away, a self-righteous teacher made it her mission to set me right from the devilish position of the leftists. She didn’t succeed except leaving in my psyche a lasting negative impression of schools.”
Almost three decades later, I found myself in a concentration camp at the outskirts of Addis Ababa.
“One early morning, I heard someone screaming. When I followed the voice, a habitual offender jailed for the second time for aggravated robbery and another one sentenced to life for murder, was brutally clubbing a fellow inmate in front of a prison guard. When I asked the guard, why he sanctioned the beating, he answered simply “he’s dirty.” Another inmate who noticed my bewilderment told me that the hapless boy is gay.”
Then, he comments on the Public ‘Dialogue’. Well, it is good that my impression of the football hooligan atmosphere was not a figment of my mind. And, I also was impressed by the pseudo-science of Mr Stephen Langa.
”While the panelists from Hon. Bahati down to Prof. Tamale presented their respective position well, the audience, especially, those favouring the bill behaved almost like football hooligans.”
Unfortunately, since the bill itself is intended to feed on peoples age-old prejudices, it’d have been no wonder to witness worst scenarios. Still, thanks to that dialogue that inspired me to do my own little research, I found out that Mr Stephen Langa’s assertion on the possibility of a homosexual being converted has little scientific foundation. From Sigmund Freud down to successive scientists confirmed that conversion for the most part is neither possible nor desirable. Hence, I concluded that despite Langa’s commendable effort to cloak his presentation with pseudo-scientific facts, the scholarship of Prof. Sylvia Tamale and the pragmatism of Major Rubaramira Ruranga carried the day.”

It is a pity the guy is a ‘foreigner’, an Ethiopian. I would have lauded his reasoning. Of course! But, he is at least an African (Sniff!). We are not totally hopeless…!

gug

Denying the Facts

2009-11-23T21:25:00.000+03:00

Have you read the bill?

Pertinent question, because, it comes as a shock when one reads it and sees the wide ranging provisions against the gay Ugandan.

But, it is more astounding that some people are going around denying what is in their bill. Ssempa, the guy who has admitted to being one of the major influences behind the bill is one of the people doing exactly that.

I call such a thing a lie. Yes, even when it is uttered by a pastor. A man of God like Ssempa.

I see no way to go around that fact. I know that I don’t like the guy, but, when he goes around insisting black is white, I am at first incredulous. He is not correct. He knows the truth, because he is one of the architects of the bill, he has been giving it out to other people, and he can read. And, most damning, the Bill has been public for a long time. I mean, drafts of the bill were out there. And, since then, they have become official, being published in the Uganda Gazette. There is no longer a need for the ‘man of god’ to lie.

Like a politician, he shades the truth. When people challenge him about the provision for the ‘death penalty’, this compassionate man of god piously says that it is just making it in par with what is happening to the ‘girl child’ in Uganda. This is no more, no less than the equal provision for the ‘boy child’. Fact, both sexes of children are adequately covered for, with equal language, in the existing law. Sex with minors of both sexes is illegal, and heavily punishable.

In Uganda, lots of people are convinced that this champion of the weak is fighting a gigantic battle. In the dialogue, he went ahead to say that, the gay agenda is very, very strong. That it is fighting very strong people like Obama. Yeah, those were his words. And, the crowd lapped it up. They cheered on their man.

And, this is not the only place where he stretches the truth.

The bill actually deals with under-age sex in a single line. Ssempa wants to give the impression that this is the only thing that it deals with.

The bill is a monster. A huge, gargantuan monster. And, it is the millstone to hang around Ssempa’s neck. To hang him with. He has owned to it, let me make sure that he doesn’t escape its suffocating hold. Not in Uganda. Not outside Uganda.

If you dare believe Ssempa, get a copy of the Bill. Gazzeted in the

Uganda

Gazette. Or, a pirate copy which is, what I have here. It is accurate, I assure you!

But, Ssempa is not the only one trying to run away from his, err, Christian responsibility. Yeah, and, I will use that particular weight to sink him. He is a man of god, who seems insistent on leading his flock way off the beaten path. On paths tread by people like Hitler.

Here is a very interesting investigation into the hidden world of exported ideals. Of course, the good Christians in America are not responsible for the sins of their acolytes. No. Of course not. But, see the connection between Nsaba-Buturo, Bahati, Benson-Obua, and the ‘College of Prayer’. Apparently, our parliamentarians even send copies of bills for ‘vetting’ to their good Christian mentors’ in the US. Those who are not responsible for the bill.

Now, this does make me mad. I actually thought that the report ‘Globalising of Culture Wars’ was, (forgive the sceptic in me), a Conspiracy theory.

No longer. There is too much ‘circumstantial evidence’. Here. The research was not mine, so I will direct you where you will drink it in and judge for yourself.

GayUganda

Monday Morning

2009-11-23T09:57:00.000+03:00

Sun’s out strong, bright.

Beneath the trees, one hears the song of birds. The air is cool, refreshing, touching. Clear, a damp, cool breeze on the skin. A carress.

Woke up late, in his arms. Didn’t want to leave. Very confortable there. I procrastinated, till it he had to leave. Dissapointed, I drifted off into sleep again. Woke again and was tempted outside by the fresh beauty of the morning.

Have been thoughtful. As always…!

Fact is, my world, our world is always beautiful. And, always ugly. It is a struggle to reconcile the beauty with the ugliness. We cannot dwell too much on what is ugly. Yet we cannot forget that it is. Life is the flow of a stream, the course is not smooth, nor predictable.

So, my country is sanctioning a gay genocide.

It is odd that such a terrible statement is true. And yet, the people who are behind it are also adamant that they love gay people. They are just fearful of the spread of the gay disease. Not AIDS. Homosexuality. They fear for themselves. They fear for their children. And, their fear has translated into a fight for life, for people like me. And, we are losing. What horrible things fear can justify! Imagined fears are more portent than those which are not imagined.

The Rev. Gideon B. Byamugisha, the guy who I wrote that he was not afraid of being called a tri-sexual? Well, I should have remembered him. He is one of those heroes of Uganda’s fight against HIV. A bonafide hero. Not a self serving nincompoop like Ssempa. His article was interesting.

It is a small world. Which someone in the US makes abundantly clear. I love this brief, touching, summary. Read the full article here. But here is what I have lifted.

“Take the bad and make it better. But there are no maybes for the gay men of

Uganda

. There is only the prospect of brutal punishment. As long as those sanctions exist, as long as our brothers suffer, we are all Ugandans.”

Yes, we are all Ugandans. It is tempting, too easy to throw off the pain of another people. Because we cannot make common cause with them. Or, they are too far, too different, and we are too busy. Odd, brings me back to the first thought. We cannot dwell too much on what is ugly in our world. It is too depressing, too down pulling. But, we cannot also forget that it is.

I would love to make this day rich and fruitful, like one of our fields; the grass dew touched, the hoe going deep into the soil to turn it over, leaving rich dark earth fresh turned behind me. Knowing, that come harvest season, the ears of maize and beans will be rich and abundant.

Which reminds me, I have not yet tasted an ear of maize fresh from the field. Nor have I had any grasshoppers…. Hey, we eat them here in Uganda. They are a delicacy in season at the moment. Rich, crunchy, absolutely mouthwatering!

Have a great day.

gug

A Lovely Sunday Morning here...

2009-11-22T11:07:00.000+03:00

The day is very beautiful. Very, very beautiful.

A day of soft summer or spring. Sun soft, bright, golden. Light is everywhere, lightening the heart, lifting the soul.

It is Sunday. And, a very beautiful Sunday.

Had a great night out. Came back really drunk. Well, my love was with me, and, he made sure that I came back in one piece. Suprisingly, not much of a hangover.

Midmorning, and I have been under a tree, looking out, fascinated at the beauty of a day of spring. A day of sun and light and quiet.

Wrote down a few lines. There is so much pain and pus, corruption in the world, that I will consciously shun it. Because, there is so much beauty that the pus can obstruct my view, cloud my perception.

Reading Wilfred Owen. Fragment of verse, ‘I saw his round mouth’s crimson deepen….’ I like his poetry. The life that he put in his verse. The sense of search, the sense of a man caught up in things that he had to live. He had to bear. But, he didn’t glorify the impossible. Just penned it down with his emotion leaking. Freezing a tiny sliver of time in immemorable words. Striking.

Back to life here.

The Anglican church in Canada have written to their brothers and sisters in Uganda, demanding that they do not support the Anti-Homosexual bill. Demanding.

The tone was taken up by a communiqué from the Episcopal church. Here. I don’t know the hierarchy, of the two organizations. But, I know that I have been working towards such a thing.

I am a gay Ugandan, caught in the midst of a storm that I am trying to understand. I am trying to fight, to do something worth my skin. Because, I have to. I try what I can, I stumble, of course. I am in a poor, third world country, with only a few resources. But those resources I can use, with friends out there.

I know, when I cry in the pain of my fear, some laugh. They cant understand me. I stood in the middle of the debate and listened to some very hateful statements. Good Christian people were saying them. And, I couldn’t point out that they were less than Christian.

I cant. Because I am gay. And I am not Christian.

But, I can ask their brothers and sisters to check them. And, they are doing so.

What amuses me is the fact that they are not taking the ‘diplomatic’ way. Not this time. They are actually demanding, unequivocal, and direct. They demand that the Church of Uganda, Anglican, comes out and OPPOSE the bill. No two ways about it. Because the bill IS NOT Christian. And they are.

Kuddos to them.

Does two things for me. Takes back the moral high ground from the Church of Uganda. They are doing the non-Christian thing. The uncharitable thing. Despite them being the Champions of Biblical Christianity, as they have accused their current accusers of appostosizing.

And, because their demand is so clear, unequivocal, it puts pressure on the Church of Uganda.

And, it puts pressure on the others who are silent. Leornado has a good post on those who say they must stay silent. The pressure is growing, because, how can you be the person who passes by the traveler who fell amongst robbers? You look on him and, decide, for a reason or another, that you cannot do anything? Who will be the Good Samaritan?

By the way, another deafening silence is coming from the Catholic Church. Uh! Anyone out there to help put some pressure on Gay Catholics? No, I am not joking. The Catholic Church, in and out of Uganda, has the ability to affect what happens to this bill. And, it is within their twisted thinking that I am not to be killed or imprisoned. Tell these guys to say something. Of course, if it is negative, I will burn them up. In cyber.

I know. We are all human beings.

I don’t make the ideals. I pick and choose those which I live by. But, I do realize that I can use them to make others act.

So, I am not Christian. No. I am not. But, what is to stop me from asking Christians to live up to their ideals? What is to stop me from asking Christians to stop persecuting me… in the name of Christ?

Some may not listen. I hope, a few, enough will listen.

And, let me end with a very Christian article from the Rev. Gideon B Byamugisha. He is not afraid of being called a trisexual. And, he defends the diversity of Ugandans. In Uganda.

An excerpt

Continued destruction
We cannot argue also that we are striving to protect our traditional family and community values by choosing not to love but to destroy fellow citizens.

We have a right as Parliament and as citizens to debate on what is ‘right’ or ‘wrong’, ‘lawful’ or ‘unlawful’, ‘faithful’ and ‘unfaithful’, ‘sinful’ or ‘saintly’ ‘good’ or ‘bad’ ,‘safe’ or ‘unsafe’ in sex, sexuality, and sexual health or any other sector.
But to legislate against individuals because they choose to perform their sexual antics in a way that is different from my own thinking, appreciation, liking or even to traditions is stretching my ‘Godly’ values and morals.

Yes, the monitor has definitely joined the debate. And, is pro-gay. Those are the articles which were not getting published. They will listen, though not the likes of Ssempa. But, those who aren’t too hate incensed will listen, and wonder…!

gug

Advocates to outlaws, and other issues...

2009-11-21T21:26:00.000+03:00

A good summary of what has been happening.

Uganda

's gays: from advocates to outlaws

By Ben Simon (AFP)

KAMPALA — If Uganda?s recently tabled Anti-Homosexuality Bill becomes law, Frank Mugisha and other individuals found campaigning for gay rights will face the choice of going to jail or leaving the country.

Mugisha heads Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), a leading sexual rights advocacy group that could soon be classed a criminal organization.

"I have never really considered moving out of

Uganda

. But if I cannot work within the country, then I will have to leave," said Mugisha.

The bill has baffled legal experts who read it as the product of an over-zealous Evangelical community that is clueless about both

Uganda

?s constitution and international law.

But for the bill?s proponents, chief among them Ethics and Integrity Minister James Nsaba Buturo, who has repeatedly alleged that there exists an organized, western-backed plot to recruit people into homosexuality, the law is necessary to confront a national emergency.

Homosexuality is spreading, Buturo argues, and if people like Mugisha aren?t stopped they will continue to lure impressionable youths into their sinful lifestyle and thereby threaten the perpetuation of the Ugandan people.

"Who is going to occupy

Uganda

in 20 years if we all become homosexuals? We know that homosexuals don?t reproduce," Buturo said last year when announcing plans to table the bill.

[Yes, I know, you are now seriously concerned for Buturo's state of reasoning. He is a PhD mind you, an MP and a minister. Seems doesnt save him from stupid, conspiratory theories? Why cant such an educated man reason?]

But, for statements of questionable intelligence, Ssempa has some. He is actually enjoying the accolade in Uganda. At very long last, his fight against gays in Uganda is on a roll.

Sylvia Tamale of Kampala?s Makerere University Law School told AFP.

For Tamale, the bill?s composition reveals an absence of qualified legal input and an unhealthy amount of input from people like Martin Ssempa, a prominent Evangelical pastor and internationally known anti-gay crusader who has confirmed having contributed to the bill.

"It would be political suicide for any Ugandan politician to vote against this. Leaders will have to ask themselves, do I listen to my own people, or ... to top down orders coming from New York and the UN," he added.

Ssempa seems to relish the criticism hurled at him by western rights groups, but he is concerned the proposal will create a fissure within the Evangelical Church.

"The western church is going to find itself increasingly at odds with the African church and find itself in a situation where there is a split like in the Anglican Church," he said.

Ssempa told AFP he was disappointed by a recent statement by American mega-Pastor Rick Warren, who delivered the convocation at

president Barack Obama?s Inauguration.

Warren did not mention the Anti-Homosexuality Bill specifically, but said he and his wife ended their relationship with Ssempa, "when we learned that his views and actions were in serious conflict with our own".

I seriously believe there is something wrong with the way Ssempa thinks. But then, I am gay.... And he is anti-gay. But, more important is, he is feeling the pressure. And, we hope to puncture more of his ebbulience. Unfortunately, real stupidity has no cure. But, is Ssempa stupid, or just very clever. No, I am not saying stupid as in abuse. Stupid as in an observation of his actions..... Eh, you may not find any difference!

The article continues...

I read this op-ed in the LA Times, and I had to shake my head. No. I am not commenting. Just follow the link

Homophobia and AIDS funding can't coexist

The

U.S.

sends millions of dollars in relief money to

Uganda

, which is considering a draconian law aimed at homosexuals.

Does it help, or hurt? I know, Ssempa and Bahati are very happy with such headlines. But, I also understand a gay man in the US who would put this pressure on. Why send hand outs to a country that thinks your sexuality is so bad, they want to 'eliminate' their own homosexuals?

Of this article in the Guardian, I seriously liked the last lines, which I am lifting to here. Because they show the state of mind of the, on the roll, anti-gay group. They fascinate me. The players. I had never met Bahati, and was prepared to hate him when I saw him at the debate. But, I couldnt. I can feel the hate that oozes from Ssempa. I can feel disgust and horror at Langa doing an intellectual justification of a genocide. But, Bahati, he is just a dupe. Sorry, he is THE dupe.

Here are the lines from the Guardian

Uganda

's ethics and integrity minister, James Nsaba Buturo, told IPS that "it is with joy we see that everyone is interested in what

Uganda

is doing, and it is an opportunity for

Uganda

to provide leadership where it matters most".

David Bahati, the MP who introduced the bill, defended it by saying "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".

[I love collecting such statements. They show the real state of mind of the anti-gay group here.

Buturo is seriously happy that Uganda is showing 'international leadership'. You know, you may look at him and wonder whether he is serious. And even doubt his sanity. And, you cant really believe the statement. But he is. Very serious. He is happy and enjoying the roll. God help Uganda]

Now, pick this from somewhere else

The Ugandan government will put to death gay citizens repeatedly caught having sex and throw into jail those who touch each other in a "gay" way, if a new proposed bill becomes law.

A new bill, the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, seeks to legislate against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) people in

Uganda

. And it wants to pave the way for its harsh treatment of them by nullifying any international treaties, conventions or declarations believed to be contrary to it.

Why do I feel the incredulous tone in those opening lines? Yet, this is the absolute truth. Ssempa and group are amazing. They brush these details off, saying they are protecting the 'boy-child'. I am also incredulous, but, these guys are deadly serious. How does one deal with this kind of schizophrenia? It IS madness.

"The bill is so inhumane ... It violates every aspect of a human being. I mean you cannot tell me you will kill me because I'm gay," says Gerald Sentogo, the gay administrator for the organisation Sexual Minorities Uganda.

Dont worry Gerald, we are all in the same boat!

But, the quotes from the other end of the anti-gay spectrum are incredulously funny. They would be anyway. Here are some choice ones.

The International Leadership quote.

But

Uganda

's ethics and integrity minister sees the uproar surrounding the bill as a positive sign that

Uganda

is "providing leadership" to the world. The minister, James Nsaba Buturo, says he is happy the bill is causing a lot of debate globally.

"It is with joy we see that everyone is interested in what

Uganda

is doing, and it is an opportunity for

Uganda

to provide leadership where it matters most. So we are here to see a piece of legislation that will not only define what the country stands for, but actually provide leadership around the world," he says.

Back in the days when the Church of Uganda had an official stand, the spokesperson had said these things.

Religious leaders from the Orthodox Church, Pentecostal Church and Islam, in appearing before the Parliamentary and Presidential Affairs Committee, say the law against homosexuality was timely, but they were opposed to the death penalty.

Reverend Canon Aaron Mwesigye Kafundizeki, the Church of Uganda provincial secretary, says: "It is an important law, but the provision related to the death penalty may prevent this law from being passed, because death should not be accepted as a punishment. Therefore propose another form of punishment instead of death."

Kafundizeki said pushing for extra territorial jurisdiction would be counter-productive.

"The Church of Uganda is saying we need to limit ourselves to the Ugandan territory, instead of extra territorial jurisdiction, because the Ugandan constitution is very clear on protocols and ratifications. Going beyond the borders will be counter-productive," he says.

Yes, the only objections they had were those. All the others are stellar bits of legislation. Fact is, he said that they should 'emphasize life imprisonment' more than the death penalty.

And, you know what happened? Christians from abroad were so horrified that, the Church of Uganda withdrew its official position. And, now has no position on the bill. They are still studying it.

Know which other Church is still studying it? Catholics.... Mum, to date. Not even a whisper of anything.

A Hate campaign? No. Says Bahati.

Bahati denies claims that he is involved in a hate campaign.

"I moved a private Member's bill not because I'm involved in a hate campaign, but because there are enormous threats to the traditional family values as we know them in

Uganda

. We don't believe in our country that for a man to sleep with a man, and for a woman to have sexual intercourse with another woman, is a human right.

"We know that homosexuals are getting money from abroad. They are using that to influence our young people into this behaviour, and we cannot sit back and see this happen," he says.

If I was not so intimately involved in this thing, I would really find this funny. That now, it is the Episcopal Church which is thinking the Church of Uganda amiss, somehow in the head.

No, they have not issued a statement.

But, the pressure is on.

I must say, I dont know the internal politics of the various churches. I try to keep my knowledge to the minimum... So, I dont know how this helps, but, I believe it helps!

"The Episcopal Church, like the Anglican Communion as a whole, is very clear in its support for the human rights of all people, including gay and lesbian persons," said Alexander Baumgarten, director of the Episcopal Church's Office of Government Relations. "For us in the Episcopal Church, that means we oppose all abuses of human rights, whether in our own midst or in other parts of the world, and we seek to make that opposition known through our ministry of advocacy."

The Chicago Consultation on Nov. 20 called on four prominent church leaders to raise their voices in opposition to the bill.

In letters sent to Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, House of Deputies President Bonnie Anderson, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, and Archbishop Henri Orombi of

Uganda

, the consultation called the bill "draconian anti-gay legislation" and urged the leaders to speak out against it.

Baumgarten noted that for the past several weeks, the Episcopal Church "has encouraged Episcopalians who have contacted us on this issue to be in touch with their own elected officials. As of the present moment, we are very encouraged by the engagement of the U.S. State Department, which has called the law a 'significant step backwards for human rights,' and has given public assurances that it is addressing the matter with the Ugandan government. It is our understanding that neither the Ugandan government nor the Church of the Province of Uganda (Anglican) has taken a position on this legislation."

So,

where does all this leave me? With lots of stuff to read. And, little knowledge whether my reading will save the day.

Keep up the pressure. Please.

I am ashamed on behalf of my countrymen. (there are few women doing the anti-gay thing!) But, well, that is the kind of war that it is.

And, it is no less deadly.

Have a good day

Should you Comment, as a 'Foreigner'?

2009-11-21T12:34:00.002+03:00

Someone was commenting about the letter from Exodus. He or she detailed the news, and then came up with this conclusion.

I might oppose such legislation in my home country, but I don't think it is the place of foreigners to tell Ugandans how to run their country. Let Uganda be Uganda.

Of course, me being me, I was not happy at that kind of complacency.

So, me being me, I lashed out. Furiously. I am sorry. I dont actually have the patience for someone to give me empty excuses... We are all residents of this small world.
Here was my comment.

Funny, I am a Ugandan, desperately worried because of this bill in parliament. If it passes, which most likely it will, I and my partner will face life imprisonment, or death, once caught.

Is it suprising that I dont mind anyone, even a 'foreigner' speaking out for me? Especially when I cannot speak out myself in my country about this bill?

I used to like Political correctness until I realised that life does not follow its rules. My country mates plan to kill me, and, you fear to say no, because you dont think you as a foreigner should comment?

Happened in Nazi Germany. For Jews, and homosexuals. Happened in Rwanda as recently as 20 years ago.

When, I pray, do you as a 'foreigner' plan to challenge my murderers that they have gone beyond the pale of humanity? When I am dead?

Do you really think that will help?

Probably, by the time this blogger posts this post, the person would have already deleted the comment.

Un-African Human Rights.

2009-11-20T18:53:00.002+03:00

Just read this article.

Concerns me, of course, and, I felt I needed to share it. I mean, at the moment, my country-mates are busy discussing a bill to become law. That bill would make all people of my sexual orientation prosecutable. And, the penalty they would give me is either life in prison. Or death.

Funny isnt it?

Comes from the concept that, people of my sexual orientation cannot be African. People of my race cannot have my sexual orientation. Anyway, I cannot deny being African. And, I cannot deny being gay. Bite me.

PS;
Frequently, I pick and choose and post articles from sites that seem to contradict my stand. What I am. I mean, I know the battle lines are clearly defined between gays, ex gays, anti-gays, etc, for example.
Me, I retain my bloody independence!

Well, I would not like to be shackled by any particular ideal.... I am free, for the time being. If that doesnt continue, so be it. But for now, I will accept no shackles. What I post, the words, they mean exactly what they mean. No imputation about the source....

Here is the article

Gay Debate: Human Rights Concept Not Un-African

Nations from all over the world—including the Mother Land—conceived and signed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948. They understood that all human beings have inherent worth and are deserving of protection by the governments of their respective nations.

However, many Africans believe that some human beings should not be permitted certain inalienable rights. Perhaps foremost among such human beings are Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Trans-gendered persons (LGBTs). Indeed, many Africans maintain that homosexuality is un-African, and therefore, not to be tolerated in African societies.

This raises the question: Does a supposedly static African culture and tradition take precedence over mutually-agreed-upon and universally recognized basic human rights? Put another way: is it acceptable that human rights be sacrificed on the altars of culture, tradition and religion?

Essentialism is always problematic. Do all Africans think alike? More importantly, would that constitute real thinking? A wise man once said, “where everyone thinks alike, no one thinks very much.” What person or group decides which thoughts and practices are authentically African? More importantly, if a practice is deemed un-African, does that mean the law should prohibit it and punish those that embrace it?

Most people do not engage in sexual relations with members of the same sex. However, homosexuality is not only African, but it is human. Further still, according to the June 16, 2009 issue of Trends in Ecology and Evolution, a yearlong study finished at the University of California at Riverside found that same-sex behavior occurs in practically all animal species.

Still, there are those that argue that such behavior is alien to Africa. However, Leo Igwe of the Center for Inquiry/Nigeria wrote an excellent article titled “Tradition of same gender marriage in Igboland” in the June 19, 2009 issue of the Nigerian Tribune (http://www.tribune.com.ng/19062009/opinion.html). Igwe wrote of married women living together and raising families, a practice dating before the Christian era. Certainly, regardless of what one thinks of such an arrangement, no one could argue that these women were brainwashed by the cultural imperialists of the West. Love it or hate it, if Africans have been doing it for centuries, is it not African?

It has been said that “tradition is the dead hand of human progress.” While this is not always the case, it all too often is. Why are so many Africans reluctant to change? Today Blacks are just as likely to engage in kinds of “unnatural,” “perverted,” and “un-African” acts as are Whites. And who’s trying to stop them?

continued....

Does raise questions, doesnt it? Time to think, countrymates, those of my race who are so damned ready to lynch me for what I am.

I am gay. I am Ugandan. I am African

gug

Debate in Uganda

2009-11-20T09:14:00.000+03:00

I think we have, at long last, crossed into the main stream media in Uganda.

Well, it is just that the Daily Monitor has taken the Public Dialogue, and put it on the front page. As the lead story.
The Monitor is an independent. It is generally the first to jump onto any case of abuse of Human rights. Sadly, most Ugandans dont believe that gay rights are human rights. Nor are homosexuals human beings. I am not exaggerating. Look at the abuse on this post.

So, when the debate started, no paper in Uganda was reporting it. Only one television station was diving into the reporting. News hungry, and pushy NTV. It has taken a month, when the world outside Uganda is boiling with outrage. And, it must have taken a lot of internal negotiations. What tipped the balance? I dont know. But, this is a front page story, and, it is the second in two or three days in the Monitor.

Excerpts from it

Homosexuality Bill is extreme- activists

PATIENCE AHIMBISIBWE

kampala

Legal experts and activists have warned government against passing the Anti-Homosexuality Bill currently before parliament arguing that some of the clauses go ‘overboard’.

The experts who held a public dialogue on Wednesday on the bill at Makerere University said that if passed in its current form, the bill would hinder the fight against HIV/AIDS because it criminalises homosexuality.

According to Maj. Rubaramira Ruranga, the Executive Director of the National Guidance and Empowerment Network of people living with HIV/Aids in

Uganda

, who has lived with the HIV virus for over 20 years, said “15 per cent of the HIV/Aids spread is as a result of gay activities.

Maj. Ruranga said: “The best thing is to educate them (homosexuals) because criminalization causes stigma, discrimination and denied knowledge on HIV/Aids and its treatment.”

According to Clause 14 of the Bill, “A person in authority, who being aware of the commission of any offence under this Act, omits to report the offence to the relevant authorities within 24 hours of having first had that knowledge, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding two hundred and fifty currency points or imprisonment not exceeding three years.”

Maj. Ruranga asked the government to do more “analysis on the clauses before the bill is passed into law to avoid bad consequences especially in the fight against HIV/Aids.”

Hey, it is longer. Read the whole of it.

Want to see Dr. Tamale's excellent speech. Check it out here. It is worth reading.

That debate was significant. It really showed how illogical, extreme and out there that this bill is. And, it also showed that the guys who are pushing for it, in the name of Christ, God and Country, are determined to have the bill through. They want it.

Bahati boasted, 'We have the numbers. This bill will become law.' And that 'If I were to have a vote at the end of this forum, I know we (bill proposers) would have won.
Yes. It is true. But, that would have been not a win for logic. But for hate.

Langa, after going on and on about how bad homosexuality is, had the gall to say, 'To all the homosexuals here, I must say that I love you.'

How wonderful that Christian love is! Thanks, but no thanks. For the time being, I will fight his loving embrace. It is like Judas' kiss.
But, these guys are vulnerable. Because, their biggest justification is that they are doing it in the name of religion. So, what happens when other Christians say, no way. Not in the name of our God? Please, keep up the pressure.

Every little thing helps. New York, Washington had protests at the Uganda missions.

Here is the AFP story.

Shame on Uganda. True, it is a shame. But, we are shameless. See, when gay people outside Uganda shame us, we are smug and happy. We are doing the right thing. But, remember we are doing it in the name of God. And, those are evil humans that are abusing us..!

So, will the bill pass? Most likely! More than likely. The government will be overjoyed at the debate. It is diverting attention from a controvertial land bill which they are ramming through parliament....
But, ours are the lives at stake. We will count, and take our blessings, as and when we can.

gug

Round up...

2009-11-19T19:52:00.002+03:00

Seems as if there are always lots of articles on the Bahati Bill and Uganda these days.

The most amusing, and evocative was this one in the Monitor. The point was easy. For the Bahati Bill, Return to the sender is the best action. Read it.

And here is an excerpt

Bahati’s Bill should be returned to sender

DANIEL KALINAKI

Sitting in a cafe in a European capital last week, I was, I admit, a bit surprised when the two gentlemen on the next table fell into a passionate embrace and then kissed, smack on the lips.

I brought my eyes back to my book and coffee in case I was caught staring, but my mind kept going back to the issue of gay rights in Uganda.

If this scene had played out in a cafe in Kampala, and if Ndorwa West MP David Bahati has his way and forces through his Anti-Homosexuality Bill, I would have been required to immediately call the police and report the two ‘criminals’.

Homosexuality is already illegal in Uganda but MP Bahati has written a Bill so strong in its homophobic sentiments and the sanctions it prescribes, a lay reader of the Bill would imagine that this is the greatest challenge facing our country in our lifetime.

Few things evoke as much emotive debate in Uganda as homosexuality. It is labelled evil and foreign, a virus that crazy white people with their crazy white ways are smuggling into the country with the help of local acolytes. A few reformed converts have turned up to talk of money being sent surreptitiously to local networks to ‘recruit’ young people into homosexuality never mind that there is never evidence adduced of who sent how much money to whom and how it was spent.

In a country of thieves, rapists, murderers, adulterers, etc., the one practice many people can confidently condemn publicly without fear of personal contradiction is homosexuality

Continued...

I sincerely believe that a kind of dialogue has actually started. Heavily counter weighed, and emotional. But, much better than it was in the country in the days just after the bill was tabled.

In the international press, dialogue continues. It is not suprising, given the terribleness of the bill as it is, and the failure of those who support it to see how bad it is. I am Ugandan enough to feel irked by what I consider bone headed stupidity. But, that is a matter of fact. Here is one persons opinion on it in the New Statesman.

To me, this is a must read report. Yes it is. It just seems to be too close to the truth for me to doubt it. Maybe I am forming my own Conspiracy Theories. Ones that are fitting to me. A Homophobia agenda!

But, it does still explain too much for me to dismiss it like so. And, I am recomending it to you. To everyone, interested in the global connectedness of Uganda's blood curdling homophobia. Here is the links. To the Full Report. To the Executive Summary. It is appropriately titled "Globalising the Culture Wars: US Conservatives, African Churches, and Homophobia" Listening to Langa and Ssempa, I see the real thing. In flesh and blood. Yes I did. Yesterday.

Christians outside Uganda continue to be amazed, and incredulous. About the Bill. Well, I was calling on Christians to act. And, it is Christians who are putting the pressure on Christians here. For their uncharitable actions.

I was very glad that the Church of Uganda has stopped giving out its incediary statements. Yes, they are under scrutiny. And, I expect they know it. No more hate speech, in the name of Christ. I was waiting for it yesterday.

Here are some fighting words from the Canadian Synod of General Synod on Uganda. Please remember, me, when I call these guys non-Christians for supporting the bill, they disdain what I say. Because I am a homosexual. When Christians, indeed, those 'foreign Christians, who they have constantly deviled show Christian Compassion and call upon them to show restraint, in Christ's name. They listen. of course, they call you 'foreigners'. But, they listen. Despite everything to the contrary, they want to live up to their label of Christian. That is why such a letter says so much, in so little. Fact is, it is worth much more than the many words on this blog.

Amazing. They actually call on the Church of Uganda to oppose the bill! Yeah, you do it! Even non Christian me see it is not Christian at all!

Other Christians are outraged that THEIR churches are not coming up with condemnation. And, they are expressing this outrage. Thanks, fellow human beings. You make me feel human. Even when I am a Ugandan homosexual living and working in Uganda.

Williams of Canterbury is under pressure. I hope Sentamu of York feels it too. I feel, in a way, that it is also an opportunity for him. To come up and point at the Church of Uganda and say, you are doing a non-Christian thing, Brother. In COU rhetoric, Williams has been the wolf in sheeps clothing. Does he really have to be pressured into taking a stand?

Here is another article, addressed to Christians to STAND UP and be counted. Is a good one. I love the title a lot. A very Un-Christian Campaign against Homosexuality in Uganda.

The Exodus letter is a particular foil. Why, even Exodus does not support the Bill! That is a shock, to Steven Langa. An unpleasant one. Because he is using information published by some of the signatories of this letter. He quotes them. And, very embarassing that they dont support his bill! Even his allies see that his action is un-Christian. He also quotes Lively, extensively. Yes, he does. This Lively. To Langa, the true intellectual mind behind the Bahati Bill, Lively is THE prophet of his crusade. And he promotes his books. Repeateldy. Even yesterday. (It was the Pink Swastika)

I will always remember Langa's face when he was challenged that Exodus was not supporting the bill. That they were not supporting him, though he was quoting them. And, it was a fellow pastor, I believe, who challenged him. Could he answer? Ha!

And, of course, human rights activists, and LGBT friends world wide continue the pressure.

Thank you. To all.

Yes, we might have a miniscule chance of getting this horrendous genocidal bill stopped. We can try. With your help. Help, Please!

gug

Recruiting Homophobes

2009-11-19T08:33:00.001+03:00

I dont think the case for 'recruiting homosexuals' in Africa is proven. Yes, despite our Dear Leaders blaming of 'European homosexuals'

I think that is our perenial xenophobia manifest.

But, I think there is a very good case for the export of homophobia. Recruiting Homophobes. Will you forgive me if I strongly hint that it is Christian American homophobes who are recruiting in Africa?

The idea is not mine. No, it is not original. Actually, I lifted it from here. Reality Check; Globalizing the Culture Wars. Some excerpts. But, the whole article is worth studying. Not reading. Studying.

I want no place in some other place's cultural wars. But, I think I may have no choice. Here are some choice quotes.

"according to “Globalizing the Culture Wars”, a new report produced by Political Research Associates and released today, laws like the one in Uganda can be seen as the direct result of a campaign by United States neoconservative religious groups to use Africa as another player in the culture wars they have fomented on American soil for many years.

After a rigorous 16-month research and on-the-ground investigative period, Zambian Anglican priest Kapya Kaoma, author of the PRA report, found that U.S. conservatives are working in collusion with African clerics (specifically, the report focuses on Uganda, Nigeria and Kenya.), in three denominations (The Episcopal Church, The United Methodist Church and The Presbyterian Church), to counter any progress mainline U.S. churches are working towards, around LGBT issues as well as to foment homophobia on the ground in Africa."

"According to the report, American conservatives, by involving African clerics in these three countries, have managed to almost completely halt recognition by these churches of the full equality of LGBT individuals in the U.S. including the ordination of LGBT clergy. But, of course, this crusade by U.S. conservatives is having even more dire consequences on African soil, leading to a growing and increasingly violent homophobia throughout Uganda, Nigeria and Kenya; violence that is typified in the Ugandan bill before Parliament.
"

Read on.

I mean, seems as if we have a more than credible theory of our own to counter 'foreign recruiting homosexuals', the one which is being promoted by Scott Lively.

By the way, this benovelent Christian, who did the introduction of the idea that us homosexuals in Uganda were fronting for homosexuals in other countries to 'recruit' (He does have a publication called 'Recruit proofing your child' or something like that!)
He has some very sage advice on the 'liberalisation' of the Sodomy law. Well, this is part of the advice that he gave to Ugandan parliamentarians. Which has translated into the Bahati Bill

"But Scott Lively, president of Abiding Truth Ministries and a speaker at an ex-gay conference in Uganda last March, said he’s not completely opposed to criminalizing homosexuality. He said that he advised Ugandans to liberalize the law, add the option of treatment, and “make the law more palatable to the international community.” But he adds that he believes Uganda should maintain its law against homosexuality “and that they should use that as a way to basically say, ‘No, you’re not going to be able to promote this behavior because it’s illegal behavior.’
"

How benevolent indeed!

Sigh!!!!!!!! Now, I must make sure that I survive the genocide in the making......

gug

The ‘Dialogue’

2009-11-18T22:46:00.001+03:00

It was this afternoon.

Sure, and I did attend. Kind of funny that I was there, and, of course it was interesting. On my part, to learn what the ‘other’ side thinks. And, of course, to see reason weighed down by the burden of unthinking emotion.

Afterwards, a friend commented that, in a way it was frightening. That, 2-300 years ago, that was how a ‘court’ judged summarily a witch. And, afterwards, they would go ahead and burn her. I didn’t dare point out to my friend that, just last year, in one part of Uganda, three people were accused of being witches by a village court. They were found guilty, and the sentence of death was quickly and immediately carried out. That was in modern day Uganda.

Oh, the sentence was carried out by the Biblical method of ‘beating/stoning’ to death. Here it is.

The dialogue had the atmosphere of a kangaroo court. True, and, the issue had already been judged. The judges came in well aware of what the judgement was to be. Sadly, for them, the sentence was not to be carried out. Because this was a dialogue. Not a debate. A ‘kimeeza’ in the local parlace.

Time check 1300 hours. That is when the debate was supposed to begin. There was only a handful of people inside. Mainly people from outside the campus….! And, of course the debate was not supposed to start at that time.

Time check 1345 hours. That is when the dialogue was supposed to start. Auditorium was about half to two thirds full.

Time check 1400 hours. The ‘moderator’ comes and gives us the oldest African excuse. We are tardy. We don’t know time. So, because the moderators wanted the debate to start at around 1400, and knowing the time keeping habits of their audience, they had put the ‘official’ time forward by a fantastic hour. A full hour….!

But, even then, the discussants were not yet in.

Time check 1430 hours. Dr Tamale has been seated for a while at the front bench. So has Major Rubaramila. The room is now overflowing. Standing room at the doors. We are beginning to murmur that they should have chosen a bigger venue.

But, of Mr. Bahati, there was no sign. We were told, some ten minutes ago, that he was some two-three minutes away. (I call them 3 African minutes…, bite me, I am African, and I do know how elastic time is here.)

Time check 1440 hours. MP Bahati in the house. And, the crowd settles down, for what is to happen.

NB. The fourth ‘discussant’ was found not to be the Provincial Secretary of the Church of Uganda, as had been put in the billing. It was Stephen Langa. The organizer of the 3 day anti-gay seminar. Earlier on this year.

Why the change? I don’t know. We were not told. Of course, I am able to speculate freely. The Church of Uganda is still seriously studying the bill, and has no ‘official’ position.

And, the Church of Uganda cannot have the official Church spokesperson giving the as yet unmade church position as he has done more than three, four times ago.

Sad. I was really waiting to see what the good Reverend was going to say! More nails in the coffin.

MP Bahati gave the first presentation. On why the Bill is necessary.

He is a young man. Said he has one kid, who he is very fearful that he can be ‘recruited’ into being a homosexual. He is an accountant by profession. A chartered accountant, I think that is the word? And he is of course also an MP. Of the ruling party. And the public face of the ‘Anti-Homosexuality Bill’

He gave the usual reasons. Why the bill is necessary. You know them. Homosexuality un-natural, abnormal, un-African. The threat from outside the country. The imposition of ‘outside values’, etc, etc. They have been well laid out in the bill.

And, he goes on about the threats that he has been receiving. Didn’t say from where.

He is a politician. And dull, as a speaker. Didn’t impress me with his intelligence. I mean, he just seems to be the guy who decided to be the ‘fall guy’. Anyway, he was what he is.

Anyway, then came Stephen Langa. Odd, he is an Electrical Engineer, from the University of Nairobi.

Then followed the most hopelessly illogical and inconsistent reasoning that I have ever listened to. No, I am not a stellar logician. But, I am a person who knows the consistency of logic when a person is presenting it.

Langa presented a conspiration theory. The ‘Gay Agenda’. The support from outside. The ‘recruitment’ (maybe it was him whispering into the Presidential ear? You know, recruiting European Homosexuals). A conspiracy theory which begins by trying to upset the opposition point of view. Listen well, they are going to lie, they are going to cry, they are going to say they are human. It was sad. And scaring.

The audience lapped it up. It was his. Yeah, he is also a Pastor, I am told. Yes, a pastor, in the Ugandan, evangelical sense. He talked of science, but showing the most unscientific evidence. Gosh, it was so bad. Morality taught as a science. Dr Tamale had to jab at him that, he was, as a pastor, had a right to believe and talk as he was talking. But, he was not supposed to make us believe that what he was saying was right.

Fear mongering. I have heard of the term. Never really seen someone do it, so effectively. And, he was quoting The Pink Swastika. By none other than Scott Lively. It is a matter of fact that we are going to feel the after effects of his preaching for long afterwards. God bless you, dear Lively

In the middle of the Langa presentation, Pastor Martin Ssempa made a grand entrance. The audience clapped, drowning out the speaker. He swaggered up the auditorium, to where the most noise was being made. His brown shirts were all seated together. It was his place, his crowd. And they showed it.

Oh, this will be too long.

And I don’t need to say much more, do I?

The Major is a well intentioned individual who is fighting a war without knowing the crowd. But, he is a soldier. He scored his points.

Last came Associate Prof. Sylvia Tamale.

Well, the lady did it. Taking the bill apart in a few concise words. She gave the same arguments as she wrote in the article. But this time had the time to open up on what she meant. And, the lady is damned good.

End of it all, her recommendation to the Honourable MP? He should either withdraw the bill as an embarrassment to the Country Uganda. Or, it should be let to die quietly in committee.

I will post her speech. Well, I will get it. It was fantastic. Don’t have it now, but will.

Then came the mess of the Q&A.

I was embarrassed. This is supposed to be the premier university of Uganda. Most of the people present, and peeping in through the windows, were students. Yes they were.

But, the clear logic of Tamale had not been any impression. They commented. And commented, and showed their ignorance.

I am a Ugandan. Yes, of course I am gay. But, I was acutely embarrassed at the reasoning capacity, the logic behind what people were commenting. Because it was too illogical.

These university students were ready to take in the ‘here is the information, believe it’ preaching of the preachers. Logic was left behind. And, it was extremely, well, village meetingish.

A University dialogue in the Faculty of Law was no more than a village meeting. I am Ugandan enough to be acutely displeased. And worried.

Yes, there is a big problem, if those we call our bright future are no more than ‘believers’ in some illogic.

Maybe I was an Egyptian in a long gone life…! Hey, I have to blow my own horn, (trumpet for you.)

I was complaining about that and someone told me, smugly, that I am gay. That means that I am logical, and, I come from a long line of super inventors. I claim the sexuality of Leornardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Alan Turing, and many others. Hey, I am gay, and have to look at the brighter side of life!

Anyway, the dialogue ended at well past five. As scheduled!

And I made my way out. Cause I had to congratulate the people of the minority opinion. MP Bahati was very encouraged by the positive crowd. And, he was having all these people congratulating him and giving him hugs. To them, he had definitely won the day.

Well, my opinion was different. But then, I am gay, aint I?

Someone, Kaybie, has surprised me by having made a comment about the dialogue. He or she was there, and their impressions are here. They are interesting. Do check them out here.

Dialogue? No, it certainly wasn’t a dialogue. It was a kangaroo court. But, I was impressed by the logic, and illogic, of the sides. Very interesting. Maybe the fact that I am gay, and Ugandan, makes me more susceptible to being critical?

gug

Hate of Gays, Ugandan style.

2009-11-18T18:15:00.001+03:00

Truth Wins Out takes on the two Facebook gay hate groups.

Check out the post. And, they have kind of picked out some of the most offensive posts and shown them to the world.
Poor Ugandan haters. They believe that, in the name of Christ, they can hate like that right out there in the world.

Well, on my part, I am really glad that these guys are coming out and speaking the facts as they see them. They are my countrymates. For too long we gay people have been bashed by these hate mongers... It is good that they come out and be shamed for what they are! Each of those groups has more than 1000 fans, if I remember well.

And, by the way, I joined both groups, and vigorously defended myself as a gay Ugandan... But, I was thrown out. Twice, until they figured how to make me stay out..... But, I had done a bit of self cleansing.... No, of course, not abuse.

Just for your info, let me post here some of the posts that are on these facebook groups.... Those things which are posted on Truth Wins out

“going against God’s laws is sinful, against man’s is criminal. Against nature i dnt even have a term for that.

“Gays shouldnt be treated as normal coz they aint. & no one is born gay its a learnt mannerism.”

“Homosexuality should not be allowed publicly in our society. I saw the Norwegian Ambassador trying to justify it using the human rights line but sorry, it won’t work here. Lets fight it and all evil guys!”

“Lets not give them a chance cos if we do so homosexuality will spread like wildfire.”

“where have u heard of pple counselling pervets and lunatics in this world. They are just gross and dnt deserve to be counselled but isolated and hanged, end of the story.”

“AM all for this cause, guys we cant keep letting This vice dehumanize the sanctity of God almighty’s Original Plan!!! ……………AND FOR THE 100000000000000th time, …….God created ADAM & EVE, NOT Adam AND STEVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(No Offense to all real Steves out there, you guys are straight)”

“The law is law is long over dew”

“last night a watched a program with a transsexual selling ”her” property and donating money …… he was all changed and dressed like a woman; all made up and i just imagine lots of stuff!!! I imagine whether those guys have the word ‘God’ in their vocabulary!!!! They shouldn’t be arrested either becoz i think that would promote the practice.”

“thoz chaps are idiots i mean even a goat can tell wats female or male…but such humans cant…freaks…they should burnt alive”

“Chaps should be castrated, we don’t want / need them.”

“its long over due. Let them be hanged for sure”

“I have no nice words for them(homos)……….i just hate them with a passion. i wish they could be rounded up and thrown in luzira for life, the better i think.”

“Those dirty perverts deserve no second chance, i completely want them totally banned,. How do those skanks think they came into being human, do they understand the virtues of pro and co-creation…burn dem ciciman…”

“am going to help capturing people! the homos…….”

“I think that is agood idea….it should be considered.”

“the minimum for such idiots cud be life in prison and the most be hanged to death!Thats why Obama disgraces me siding with gays.”

“These are the best words ever spoken about gays. I even fear to say the word. It should be totally abolished in Uganda because God wont even forgive us for one minute if we dare go for its legalisation.
Why were gays born and how they think? Do they ever think of their childhood? Jesus for Christ sake are they people with a think ability?”

“its abt time they kem out wit laws against this practice coz its takin us behind! we cant hav these guys runnin round jus like dat!”

“Those suckers need death penalty”

“tis abt tym”

“Actually we need our own “Guatanamo Bay” once we arrest any of such….perverts!!!”

-------

Hey, now that you have read those comments, written by Ugandans, about Ugandans... gay Ugandans. Some of the writers are Christians who take pride in being Christians.

Do you wonder

Why I am so convinced a non- Christian?
How come a country in this day and age can write and present in parliament this kind of Genocidal bill?
Why I am so convinced that that bill will pass?

And, remember, this is just the tip of the iceberg. About only 4% of my countrymates are connected to the internet. And, they tend to be those who are most well read. Most educated.

Fact is, over the last ten years or so, the Ugandan public have become convinced of the clear and present danger from the 'homosexual international'. And, they are all good, upright Christians. [psss, ask yourself, what has been happening in the world in the last ten years or so?]

Do you wonder why I actually have to FEAR for my life?

No, of course not. For the people above are complete believers in the things that they wrote. They want me hanged, castrated, imprisoned, and will go ahead and inform on me. All in the name of a holy Uganda!

Action point? Go to Truth Wins Out, they are suggesting something to do about this virulency.

gug

Recruiting European Homosexuals

2009-11-18T11:15:00.002+03:00

Whats it with European homosexuals? Why are they recruiting in Uganda?

Well, as opposed to American homosexuals!

Surprise, surprise, I personally prefer Ugandan homosexuals. Maybe that is why I love my infuriating little country.

I am mad, of course. Figures. Since I am gay, and Ugandan!

Was just thinking of Museveni’s statement, on the recruiting European homosexuals. We blame them for colonialism nowadays. Something which, of course, is no longer politically correct. Once upon a time, our tribes were colonialists and expansionist. Just get an hour and ask Museveni about the colonialist Buganda.

But, I am digressing. Why are European homosexuals recruiting in Africa? How come I don’t know anything about this? What do you do when you recruit? When recruited? Earn lots of money? Get super duper children? But, they recruit homosexuals, don’t they?

Or, they make them homosexuals? I think that is the point.

I have never really been to Europe. Are all people there homosexuals? I have heard that in Sweden, the churches even bless homosexual marriages. That country must have all people homosexual. It is a must. How can that not be? I mean, all of them must have been recruited already. That is why we are having them come to Africa, to recruit our youths. And Minister Buturo is always holding it over our heads like the proverbial sword of Damocles. [as in, where will Uganda be when homosexuals takeover?]

Well, they deny it. Of course. They are homosexuals. Liars. Who would expect them to tell the truth? Even in the face of incontrovertible evidence. And Uganda has solid proof of this neo-colonial plot. They think we are stupid, implying that we are stupid and we dont know.

And,

Uganda

’s head of state has to inform some youthful achievers of the danger of the European Homosexuals.

Sorry, didn’t know, but they are recruiting in Africa! Not only Uganda. That is why in South Africa, they have legal gay marriage. Note, Ssempa blamed that legal position for the high rates of HIV…. Not a new thing. Of course gay marriage leads to high HIV rates. A source of the infection, the noted Ugandan HIV activist, Pastor Martin Ssempa said.

Anyway, the President’s statement was very very crucial. You see, there is this ‘Anti-Homosexuality Bill’ in Parliament. The parliament has to pass it, and then the President assents to it before it becomes law of the land.

Of course the President can say no. And the bill will never become law, that is, until a two thirds of parliamentarians overturn his veto.

But, but, but…. Well, the president is the president. And he is Ugandan. And why would he not protect Ugandan youths from the depredation of European homosexuals? Of course he will. And, in any case, if our Brilliant Leader refuses to sign the bill, why, the Parliament will, with great fervour, for the first time in his 27? years as President, they will overturn his veto.

[Rubber stamp parliament!]

It would be funny that the first time that the parliament would have overturned the presidential veto would have been on the moral issue of homosexuality. Very, very funny.

It would be funny if my life was not somewhere hanging in balance, anyway.

A question to the recruiting European homosexuals, do you plan to re-populate Europe with African homosexuals? Will that solve the problem of Europe’s shrinking population, (which you of course caused by letting the homosexual agenda have free reign.)

I thought it would be better for you to repopulate with magnificent African breeders, er, heterosexuals,… but then, my logic is a bit off. I am a mad gay Ugandan, you see. But, let us continue that thought.

See, when the President signs that law, which aims to rid Uganda of homosexuals, and be an example to the whole world, then, the only place where a Ugandan homosexual will be is in a Ugandan prison, or on death row.

Yeah, they will not be safe, even in Europe…!?

So, we shall have to emigrate. A grand, homosexual Exodus from Uganda and Africa, to repopulate Europe. Maybe that was the island that the Mufti was thinking of. Very cool logic that, isn’t it?

But, I hear it is very cold in Europe, some parts of the year, not so? Definitely not the place to be. Not for this poor, mad, gay Ugandan. Imagine, having to leave Uganda!

Errr, I believe it was since Amin, [Conqueror of the British Empire] that we Ugandans wrote a clause into the constitution for a minimum education level for the Head of State? But, it is true that education is no foil to willful ignorance. Afterall, the Honourable Nsaba-Buturo is (like ?Thabo Mbeki, HIV denialist), a PhD in Economics…!

Hey, I have just remembered. Buturo got the PhD from Britain. That is an island in the bigger island of Europe, isn’t it? So, he must have first hand experience of these recruiting European homosexuals, (that is, if Britons are Europeans, are they?)

I think Buturo is the whisper in the Presidential ear, the one about recruiting European homosexuals…. Or, is it the President’s experience from his years of exile in Sweden? No, the president said that he has been (reliably) informed that European homosexuals have recruiting agencies established in Uganda.

Funny, the President is the chief ‘driver’ of the drive for ‘investors’ especially from Europe, etc. Are some of them, gods forbid, the recruiters? A business venture?

I assure you, all this is poor speculation. I am mad. Certifiable. A gay Ugandan.

Now, all this is treasonous material. Despite my evident madness. Seditious stuff, all. But I am mad, and that is a defence, isn’t it? Or maybe not in Uganda…!

Recruiting European Homosexuals! REH.

ha ha ha ha ha ha!

gug

PS. I sincerely hope that I dont soon have to post about Recruiting American Homosexuals. Dear American friends, cease and desist. This is Uganda, in Africa. Thank you very much.

Got to the President.

2009-11-17T18:55:00.001+03:00

I think we did. Get to him that is. I dont think these remarks were random. Though Museveni tends to wander in remarks.

“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.

European Homosexuals? No, I dont think that Museveni would mistake all the 'outside' for Europe. So, why European homosexuals, and not American homosexuals?
But, the subtext is clear. It is not from Africa. And, the 'recruitment' drive is something that is happening. Even the head of state believes that nonsense! It is a foreign thing. And, of course it 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.”
So says President Museveni. He is a history buff. History written as he desires it to be. So, maybe I should not be suprised.

My history, (and Ssempa concurs) says that homosexuality was accepted at the Buganda Court before Christianity was accepted. Oh, I have remembered, Museveni at the moment does not like the 'Mengo establishment'....!

We used to have very few homosexuals traditionally? Why, seems the impression from His Excellency is that the recruitment drive has been hugely succesful! So, homosexuals in Uganda are 'increasing'. As his Minister for Ethics says, Uganda is 'under attack'. And, we need to be defensive about it?

And, they were not persecuted....! I wonder whether his government is going to try and reverse that historical oversight.
Yet it is true. Homosexuality in Africa was more than benignly accepted. Why, because nobody seemed to think it any threat to anything. Why would it be a threat, to any rightly thinking person? Actually, many people argue that homophobia, which came with Christianity, was the actual western import. Not homosexuality.

At least, Museveni at last accepts that homosexuality is not 'un-African'. Sigh, the myths that we have to debunk are kind of myriad.
If I was not so convinced of my Africannnes, and my Ugandanness, I would surely believe that my black skin is white. And that I am not what I am. Why does everyone around me believe in myths about me? Sincerely, it is a bit puzzling, not just galling!

But, is this enough?

Please note, very carefully, that His Excellency came out strongly and firmly as a gay basher.

“You should discourage your colleagues [involved in homosexuality] because God was not foolish to do the way he arranged,” said Mr Museveni, adding, “Mr and Mrs, but now you have to say Mr and Mr? What is that now?”

International protest and revulsion over the bill has been a lot. At least 3 western governments have expressed 'concern' overtly and diplomatically. Even from Nsaba-Buturo's statements, others are expressing their reservations in private. 'Diplomatically'

Christian organisations, and Christians, are coming out with strong statements. The very defense that the bill is a pro-christian thing is indefensible. Which makes proponents unconfortable. So much so that, the anglican Church of Uganda has found itself to have no 'official position'.... Funny diplomatese... from churchmen.
Others like the Catholic Church are actually damned by their very silence. The Ssempas do not need much rope to hang themselves, in their zeal for their god. And, they are furiously wrapping it round their bloody necks.

Human rights groups were the first and most prominent to come out against this bill. Which, incidentally, was tabled almost exactly one month ago. But the Nsaba-Buturo snear is the best answer to what Ugandans officially think of pressure from that point. 'Anal sex has no rights'. Period.

So, is it working?

Speaking from outside, it would seem as if there is no way that this bill could pass.

Speaking from inside Uganda, I think there is no way that it can be stopped. Why? Because, Ugandans believe they are in a position of 'leadership' of the world. With this law their stamp of authority! Maybe they were wavering, under the build up of international pressure.

But, that small speech from the President shows where the winds are blowing. He knew that this bill was coming. He is a homophobe. Rumour is, the international pressure was expected, and the government, for 'deniability' wanted the bill as a private members bill. It was all part of the strategy. How many times over the year has Nsaba-Buturo been coming out with threats about the new bill? It was becoming so common for him to mention it that some actually thought it was a joke. All bark and no bite.

Well, the fangs were revealed.

The president has taken note. And, he wants to stiffen the resolve of the front line troops. That is how I am taking that statement.

Matter of fact, homosexuality is below the radar in the list of sins of Ugandans that are 'seen' by gods. Corruption is much bigger, actually threatening the omniscient ruling party. That is why we are more visible, defenseless us. That is why we are being demonised, and, that is why the 'moral leadership' of Uganda needs to be emphasized.

Sigh, this happens only in novels I thought! Works of fantasy, not real life.

So, is it so hopeless that we should stop?

No. It is our lives. It is a question of OUR lives, and we simply cannot stop. That has always been the strength behind the gay movement. The perceived threat by the majority is a myth which most people cannot actually believe. They may, when preachers like Ssempa are at the pulpit. But they dont, not with their day to day experiences of life.
But for us gay people, that transient hostility to a minority is a life threatening stumbling block. It is our lives on line. That I know, more now than ever. And I will not close my eyes to it.

No. We will not give up. Because we cannot give up. Unless we are ready to go to the concentration camps. Literally.

gug

Exodus Comes Out

2009-11-17T06:26:00.000+03:00

Ahh,

Sorry for the play on language. They were in, then they came out, then.... They identify as former homosexuals.

I am a current homosexual... the kind that deserves the life imprisonment if I am ever caught once, death as a 'serial offender' if they catch me again in Uganda. (would have to be in prison, not so?)

Exodus are big, and they are ex-gay, and they are Christian. And, they kind of are famous, since one of the ex-gay preachers from America came brandishing their teaching. Or part of their teaching.

Ok, serious. They come out against the bill. Part of the reason I think Ssempa over-reached.

While we do not believe that homosexual behavior is what God intended for individuals, we believe that deprivation of life and liberty is not an appropriate or helpful response to this issue. Furthermore, the Christian church must be a safe, compassionate place for gay-identified people as well as those who are confused about and conflicted by their sexuality. If homosexual behavior and knowledge of such behavior is criminalized and prosecuted, as proposed in this bill, church and ministry leaders will be unable to assist hurting men, women and youth who might otherwise seek help in addressing this personal issue. The Christian church .... must be permitted to extend the love and compassion of Christ to all. We believe that this legislation would make this mission a difficult if not impossible task to carry out.

Here is the full letter.

Interesting how I can find common cause with Exodus!

Desperate times, my friend. Desperate times.

But seriously, the kind of genocidal preaching the Christians in Uganda are preaching as Biblical and the only part of Christianity is, errr, radicalising my countrymates to the extent that I have learnt that I am not immune. Not at all. And, I cannot stand on the side. Not when this bill is actually tabled in the country's parliament.

It is immoral that we are even discussing it. But, WE ARE DISCUSSING IT. And the outcome concerns me personally.

Do I think it will pass? Yes, I do. That bill, in one form or another, will most likely become law in Uganda.

Do I think the Exodus statement helps?

Yes. Though of course, our dear President might consider these the 'European Homosexuals' who are recruiting. You saw the article, didnt you? Museveni is a homophobe. But, he also prides himself in being a stellar Christian. Janet Museveni believes fundamentally in the Bible. As most Ugandans do, but she also believes that these ancient texts have the cure for the modern day plague HIV. Whether I like it or not, Christians influence Christians. As opposed to gug trumpeting his lack of faith!

So, I am sending this to Ssempa. And, I am sending it to Bahati, and Benson.

And, so help me the deities, I plan to make this a grim nail in their coffin as Christians who support a genocide.
As Nsaba-Buturo would say, derisively, gay genocide is no genocide. Anal sex has no human rights, after all.

gug

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