Uganda's president Yoweri Museveni has approved a law that will see people convicted of homosexuality in Uganda jailed for life. In these extracts from director Roger Ross Williams' documentary God Loves Uganda, undercover filming by a Boston-based Anglican priest, Kapya Kaoma, shows how anti-gay evangelical campaigners from the United States have been influential in the debate, pushing Uganda to pass measures that would be unthinkable in the US.
The news from St. Mary Kevin Orphanage yesterday had nothing to do with any of this. There were only celebratory emails having to do with the fact that our beloved Senior 4 students performed incredibly well on their national exams - even Willy, Nicky and Sam, boys who had lost their CTT scholarships a year ago because of poor academic performance and questionable behavior. St. Mary Kevin administration had stepped forward last year and assumed responsibility for the boys' schooling (a sacrifice for the Kavulus), switching them from boarders to day students (to save on cost) just to get them through Senior 4, an important benchmark in Ugandan education. All that said, the boys put their noses to the grindstone this past year, determined to make the Kavulus and Change the Truth proud… and determined to get their acts together so they can move ahead with their education and really make something of themselves.
Tonight a chicken will be cooked, a cake will be baked, good food and some bottled sodas will be shared. Melissa and SMK are throwing a party for these boys, Scovia and Yawe Joseph (CTT sponsored students), all of whom buckled down and did their very best (which ended up being absolutely stellar). I wish I could be in Kajjansi to raise a bottle of Orange Fanta and make a toast to these students.
Unfortunately, I'll be on my couch watching Rachel Maddow continue her discussion about Museveni's signing of the anti-gay bill.
Showing posts with label Ugandan anti-gay legislation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ugandan anti-gay legislation. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Friday, January 15, 2010
in the news: uganda urged to scrap anti-gay bill
"GENEVA — UN rights chief Navi Pillay on Friday urged the Ugandan government to scrap an anti-homosexuality bill which is to be put before parliament, saying that it was 'blatantly discriminatory.'
'The bill clearly breaches international human rights standards, as it is blatantly discriminatory,' said Pillay in a statement.
The draft law, which has been harshly condemned by the United States and European Union, would impose the death penalty for 'aggravated homosexuality', applicable in cases of rape of a minor by a person of the same sex, or where one partner carries the AIDS virus.
It would also criminalise public discussion of homosexuality and could penalise an individual who knowingly rents property to a homosexual.
'The bill proposes draconian punishments for people alleged to be lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered,' the High Commissioner for Human Rights said.
'It is extraordinary to find legislation like this being proposed more than 60 years after the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights ... made it clear this type of discrimination is unacceptable,' she added.
Calling on Uganda to 'shelve (the) draconian draft bill,' Pillay warned that the bill could seriously hurt the country's reputation.
'To criminalise people on the basis of colour or gender is now unthinkable in most countries,' she said.
'The same should apply to an individual's sexual orientation. International human rights standards strongly suggest that the state should not dictate the nature of private consensual relations between adults,' she added." - (AFP)
'The bill clearly breaches international human rights standards, as it is blatantly discriminatory,' said Pillay in a statement.
The draft law, which has been harshly condemned by the United States and European Union, would impose the death penalty for 'aggravated homosexuality', applicable in cases of rape of a minor by a person of the same sex, or where one partner carries the AIDS virus.
It would also criminalise public discussion of homosexuality and could penalise an individual who knowingly rents property to a homosexual.
'The bill proposes draconian punishments for people alleged to be lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered,' the High Commissioner for Human Rights said.
'It is extraordinary to find legislation like this being proposed more than 60 years after the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights ... made it clear this type of discrimination is unacceptable,' she added.
Calling on Uganda to 'shelve (the) draconian draft bill,' Pillay warned that the bill could seriously hurt the country's reputation.
'To criminalise people on the basis of colour or gender is now unthinkable in most countries,' she said.
'The same should apply to an individual's sexual orientation. International human rights standards strongly suggest that the state should not dictate the nature of private consensual relations between adults,' she added." - (AFP)
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
death penalty for gays? uganda debates proposal
As promised, I am keeping you updated on the situation in Uganda regarding the anti-gay legislation that is pending in parliament. It's, obviously, very disturbing and frightening.
The following article appeared in our local paper yesterday. It was called to my attention by the director of the MIdwest Center for Holocaust Education, an organization that teaches the history of the Holocaust, applying its lessons to counter indifference, intolerance, and genocide (important lessons always, and particularly in this case.)
By KATHARINE HOURELD and GODFREY OLUKYA
Associated Press Writers
"Proposed legislation would impose the death penalty for some gay Ugandans, and their family and friends could face up to seven years in jail if they fail to report them to authorities. Even landlords could be imprisoned for renting to homosexuals.
Gay rights activists say the bill, which has prompted growing international opposition, promotes hatred and could set back efforts to combat HIV/AIDS. They believe the bill is part of a continentwide backlash because Africa's gay community is becoming more vocal.
'It's a question of visibility,' said David Cato, who became an activist after he was beaten up four times, arrested twice, fired from his teaching job and outed in the press because he is gay. 'When we come out and ask for our rights, they pass laws against us.'
The legislation has drawn global attention from activists across the spectrum of views on gay issues. The measure was proposed in Uganda following a visit by leaders of U.S. conservative Christian ministries that promote therapy for gays to become heterosexual. However, at least one of those leaders has denounced the bill, as have some other conservative and liberal Christians in the United States.
Gay rights activists say the legislation is likely to pass. But the bill is still being debated and could undergo changes before a vote, which has not yet been set.
The Ugandan legislation in its current form would mandate a death sentence for active homosexuals living with HIV or in cases of same-sex rape. 'Serial offenders' also could face capital punishment, but the legislation does not define the term. Anyone convicted of a homosexual act faces life imprisonment.
Anyone who 'aids, abets, counsels or procures another to engage of acts of homosexuality' faces seven years in prison if convicted. Landlords who rent rooms or homes to homosexuals also could get seven years and anyone with 'religious, political, economic or social authority' who fails to report anyone violating the act faces three years.
Gay rights activists abroad are focusing on the legislation. A protest against the bill is planned for Thursday in London; protests were held last month in New York and Washington.
David Bahati, the legislator sponsoring the bill, said he was encouraging 'constructive criticism' to improve the law, but insisted strict measures were necessary to stop homosexuals from "recruiting" schoolchildren.
'The youths in secondary schools copy everything from the Western world and America,' said high school teacher David Kisambira. 'A good number of students have been converted into gays. We hear there are groups of people given money by some gay organizations in developed countries to recruit youth into gay activities.'
Uganda's ethics minister, James Nsaba Buturo, said the death sentence clause would probably be reviewed but maintained the law was necessary to counter foreign influence. He said homosexuality 'is not natural in Uganda,' a view echoed by some Ugandans.
'I feel that the bill is good and necessary, but I don't think gays should be killed. They should be imprisoned for about a year and warned never to do it again. The family is in danger in Uganda because the rate at which vice is spreading is appalling,' said shopkeeper John Muwanguzi.
Uganda is not the only country considering anti-gay laws. Nigeria, where homosexuality is already punishable by imprisonment or death, is considering strengthening penalties for activities deemed to promote it. Burundi just banned same-sex relationships and Rwanda is considering it.
Homophobia is rife even in more tolerant African countries."
The following article appeared in our local paper yesterday. It was called to my attention by the director of the MIdwest Center for Holocaust Education, an organization that teaches the history of the Holocaust, applying its lessons to counter indifference, intolerance, and genocide (important lessons always, and particularly in this case.)
By KATHARINE HOURELD and GODFREY OLUKYA
Associated Press Writers
"Proposed legislation would impose the death penalty for some gay Ugandans, and their family and friends could face up to seven years in jail if they fail to report them to authorities. Even landlords could be imprisoned for renting to homosexuals.
Gay rights activists say the bill, which has prompted growing international opposition, promotes hatred and could set back efforts to combat HIV/AIDS. They believe the bill is part of a continentwide backlash because Africa's gay community is becoming more vocal.
'It's a question of visibility,' said David Cato, who became an activist after he was beaten up four times, arrested twice, fired from his teaching job and outed in the press because he is gay. 'When we come out and ask for our rights, they pass laws against us.'
The legislation has drawn global attention from activists across the spectrum of views on gay issues. The measure was proposed in Uganda following a visit by leaders of U.S. conservative Christian ministries that promote therapy for gays to become heterosexual. However, at least one of those leaders has denounced the bill, as have some other conservative and liberal Christians in the United States.
Gay rights activists say the legislation is likely to pass. But the bill is still being debated and could undergo changes before a vote, which has not yet been set.
The Ugandan legislation in its current form would mandate a death sentence for active homosexuals living with HIV or in cases of same-sex rape. 'Serial offenders' also could face capital punishment, but the legislation does not define the term. Anyone convicted of a homosexual act faces life imprisonment.
Anyone who 'aids, abets, counsels or procures another to engage of acts of homosexuality' faces seven years in prison if convicted. Landlords who rent rooms or homes to homosexuals also could get seven years and anyone with 'religious, political, economic or social authority' who fails to report anyone violating the act faces three years.
Gay rights activists abroad are focusing on the legislation. A protest against the bill is planned for Thursday in London; protests were held last month in New York and Washington.
David Bahati, the legislator sponsoring the bill, said he was encouraging 'constructive criticism' to improve the law, but insisted strict measures were necessary to stop homosexuals from "recruiting" schoolchildren.
'The youths in secondary schools copy everything from the Western world and America,' said high school teacher David Kisambira. 'A good number of students have been converted into gays. We hear there are groups of people given money by some gay organizations in developed countries to recruit youth into gay activities.'
Uganda's ethics minister, James Nsaba Buturo, said the death sentence clause would probably be reviewed but maintained the law was necessary to counter foreign influence. He said homosexuality 'is not natural in Uganda,' a view echoed by some Ugandans.
'I feel that the bill is good and necessary, but I don't think gays should be killed. They should be imprisoned for about a year and warned never to do it again. The family is in danger in Uganda because the rate at which vice is spreading is appalling,' said shopkeeper John Muwanguzi.
Uganda is not the only country considering anti-gay laws. Nigeria, where homosexuality is already punishable by imprisonment or death, is considering strengthening penalties for activities deemed to promote it. Burundi just banned same-sex relationships and Rwanda is considering it.
Homophobia is rife even in more tolerant African countries."
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
uganda in the news
“When Uganda makes the world news, it tends to be big. Twenty years ago it was the first to register an AIDS epidemic, which decimated the population in some areas of the country. Related to and coming after this was the ABC campaign of the First Lady, Janet Museveni, with the emphasis clearly on the A (Abstinence). Now it is a Bill before Parliament, entitled the Anti-Homosexuality Act (2009), introduced by parliamentarian, David Bahati, a born-again Christian.”
-Martyn Drakard, Spero News
This proposed piece of legislation has been garnering worldwide attention of late. By now most of you have probably read or heard about it. I am in the process of getting as much information as I can, and I will surely learn more about it when I go to Uganda two weeks from now. Some of you have emailed me with questions about this. I, too, have concerns. As founder and president of Change the Truth, a non-profit organization that provides assistance and opportunities to Ugandan children, I know it is important that I stay informed on this issue. I will update you as things unfold.
Read a Reuter's article here and the rest of Drakard's article here.
-Martyn Drakard, Spero News
This proposed piece of legislation has been garnering worldwide attention of late. By now most of you have probably read or heard about it. I am in the process of getting as much information as I can, and I will surely learn more about it when I go to Uganda two weeks from now. Some of you have emailed me with questions about this. I, too, have concerns. As founder and president of Change the Truth, a non-profit organization that provides assistance and opportunities to Ugandan children, I know it is important that I stay informed on this issue. I will update you as things unfold.
Read a Reuter's article here and the rest of Drakard's article here.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)