Uganda's anti-homosexuality bill
A bill to increase penalties for homosexual behavior is being considered in Uganda.
Savitri Hensman writing in The Guardian:
The bill is a particular challenge for Christians because clergy have helped to whip up fear and hatred and undermine respect for human rights. Nicodemus Okille, Dean of the Province of Uganda, in his Christmas sermon in 2007 as Bishop of Bukedi, reportedly condemned advocates of gay rights as having no place in the kingdom of God. "The team of homosexuals is very rich," claimed Archbishop Henry Orombi in 2008. "They have money and will do whatever it takes to make sure that this vice penetrates Africa. We have to stand out and say no to them." However Anglican Bishop Stanley Ntagali of Masindi-Kitara diocese has recently spoken out against the death penalty for homosexuality, while supporting imprisonment.She concludes,
The bill also poses a challenge to those throughout the world with economic, social or political links to Uganda. This includes Christian leaders overseas who have helped to give credibility to homophobic Ugandan bishops and pastors while supposedly proclaiming a message of love and justice for all. Some US evangelists have endorsed Pastor Martin Ssempa, an anti-LGBT crusader. Anglican leaders such as the Archbishop of Canterbury have avoided challenging their Ugandan associates' complicity in anti-LGBT abuses while soundly condemning Anglican provinces moving towards equality for all.Read it all, including links to the bill.
This makes me whole-sick. Looks like Satan had had great success in turning Christian devotion to serve ungodly purposes. It's almost overwhelming to me. My only response is to ask, how can we stand against this, loudly and obviously?
Cheryl A. Mack
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October 28, 2009 11:09 AM
What kind of "bonds of affection" can exist between a province that values human rights and one that does not? This is, in the end, what we're endorsing if we insist on union at any cost.
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October 28, 2009 12:50 PM
HELP! A Call of desperation from LGBT citizens of all religious denominations in UGANDA!
¨Denounce the Anti-Homosexuality Bill in the Paliament of Uganda. Protest at the Uganda Diplomatic Mission in your country.
Dear Partners, Allies and Friends,
As you already know, the "Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2009." was recently tabled before the Parliament of Uganda. The Bill's provisions are draconian and among them are;
• Any person alleged to be homosexual would be at risk of life imprisonment or in some circumstances the death penalty;
• Any parent who does not denounce their lesbian daughter or gay son to the authorities would face fines of $ 2,650.00 or three years in prison;
• Any teacher who does not report a lesbian or gay pupil to the authorities within 24 hours would face the same penalties;
• And any landlord or landlady who happens to give housing to a suspected homosexual would risk 7 years of imprisonment.
• Similarly, the Bill threatens to punish or ruin the reputation of anyone who works with the gay or lesbian population, such as medical doctors working on HIV/AIDS, civil society leaders active in the fields of sexual
and reproductive health, hence further undermining public health efforts
to combat the spread of HIV;
• All of the offences covered by the Bill as drafted can be applied to a Ugandan citizen who allegedly commits them - even outside Uganda!
The existing law has already been employed in an arbitrary way, and the Bill will just exacerbate that effect. There is a continued increase in campaigns of violence and unwarranted arrests of homosexuals. There are
eight ongoing cases in various courts. Four accused persons are unable to meet the harsh bail conditions set against them. As a result, Brian Pande died in Mbale Hospital on 13th September, 2009 as he awaited trial.
Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) calls upon you our partner, ally and/or friend to action. Denounce this bill through a protest at a Ugandan Diplomatic Mission in your country on November 9th 2009, where applicable.
Urge the Government of Uganda to reject this Bill in its entirety.¨
Frank Mugisha
Email:fmugisha@sexualminoritiesuganda.org
Telephone: + 256 772 616 062
Valetine Kalende
Email: vkalende@faruganda.org
Telephone: +256 752 324 249
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October 30, 2009 10:28 AM