A Pact against freedom
on September 8, 2006
Category: LGBTI, Human Rights, Gender Violence
The horrific events taking place in Uganda should be a wakeup call for everyone. People may think that they are safe from harassment and arrest because they are heterosexual. Not so, a witch hunt affects everyone irrespective of their sexuality. Your neighbour takes a disliking to you and before you know it you are being accused of being gay or a lesbian. People may think this is not their problem because they are not Ugandans. Think again, it happened in Cameroon, its happening in Ghana right now and with the new laws in Nigeria it may soon happen there. The fundamental human rights of African citizens are slowly being eroded in Uganda, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and Cameroon as religious extremists and repressive governments join in a pact against freedoms.
Today Red Pepper went ahead with the threat to out Ugandan lesbians.
Give us the name of the lesbian in your neighbourhood and we will shame her:
All over the blogosphere I read the talk, the theories of this that and the other on race, on gender, on sexuality, on feminism. The human rights violations that are taking place in Uganda and elsewhere are not theory but reality. A reality that has today destroyed the lives of men and women in Uganda and in whose name? Religion and Repression - homosexuality is touted as being unAfrican but Chrisitainity, Islam, Repression and Bigotry are?
Some background into the present gay hunt taking place in Uganda.
For close to two years, Human Rights Watch said, officials have regularly threatened and harassed lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Ugandans. In October 2004, the country’s information minister, James Nsaba Buturo, ordered police to investigate and “take appropriate action against” a gay association allegedly organized at Uganda’s Makerere University.
State-owned media have repeatedly called for stronger measures against homosexual conduct. On July 6, 2005, a writer in the government-owned New Vision newspaper urged authorities to crack down on homosexuality, saying, “The police should visit the holes mentioned in the press, spy on the perverts, arrest and prosecute them. Relevant government departments must outlaw or restrict websites, magazines, newspapers and television channels promoting immorality – including homosexuality, lesbianism, pornography, etc.” Later that month, local government officers raided the home of Victor Mukasa, a lesbian activist and Chairperson of Sexual Minorities Uganda. They seized documents and other materials, and arrested another lesbian activist and held her overnight.
On September 29, 2005, President Museveni signed into law a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. The amendment says that “marriage is lawful only if entered into between a man and a woman,” and specifies that “it is unlawful for same-sex couples to marry.” A parliamentary spokesperson said at the time that criminal penalties for engaging in such marriages would be imposed later.
The government has also silenced discussion of gay and lesbian rights and lives. The Broadcasting Council, a board of government censors, fined a radio station 1.8 million shillings (more than US$1000) for hosting a lesbian and two gay men on a talk show, where they protested against discrimination and called for repeal of the sodomy laws. In February 2005, the Media Council – a state censorship board – banned a staging of the play, “The Vagina Monologues,” by the U.S. author Eve Ensler, because it “promotes illegal acts of unnatural sexual acts, homosexuality and prostitution.
Men named in the Red Pepper’s August 8 article have reportedly already been threatened and harassed. Ugandan activists point out that, in a deeply patriarchal society, accusations against alleged lesbians could subject them to violence in the family and community. U.N. statistics in 2000 showed that 41 percent of Ugandan women had suffered domestic violence.
A March 2005 Human Rights Watch report on “abstinence-until-marriage” HIV programs in Uganda found these programs were denying young people accurate information on HIV transmission and on sexual health. These programs also intrinsically discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation. With a legal ban in place against gay or lesbian relationships, the programs promote only permanent abstinence and are uniformly silent about safer sexual practices. Promoting abstinence until heterosexual marriage is the continuation of an outright denial by the Ugandan government that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people exist. In March 2002, while accepting an award for his country’s HIV/AIDS prevention programs, President Museveni said simply, “We don’t have homosexuals in Uganda.”
“Uganda’s once-successful HIV/AIDS prevention programs are already reeling from the impact of silence and bad science,” said Stern. “Driving vulnerable people underground can only hamper those programs further.”
There are different ways people can help and it is important that as many Africans as possible take action. Since time is running out, the most efficient action would be to call directly the editor of Red Pepper in Uganda:
Arinaitwe Rugyendo; Tel: +256 712 973 077, +256 772 760 106, +256 312 279410
The journalist who wrote the article with the list of names is called Denis Sabiiti. You can call him on +256 312 26 1813.
You can also send a protest to the editor’s. Email rugyendo@mail.redpepper.co.ug
Links: Human Rights Watch, Amnesty Internationl, Internatilon
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28 Comments so far
1. johnblaze
September 8th, 2006 at 3:28 pm
Unless I am wrong what this paper is doing is libel of the highest order.What evidence do they have to support their claims.
If the actions of this paper cant be stopped on humane grounds they might as well be stopped on those legal grounds as there is more then one way to skin a cat!
2. Sokari
September 8th, 2006 at 4:10 pm
Agreed - to do that takes money. People do not have the money. they are hoping AI or other similar organsiations will be able to help. Right now there are cases pending but due to lack of funds they are on hold.
3. soul
September 8th, 2006 at 9:07 pm
WTF!
okay it’s official… we are now in th twilight zone!
4. John Powers
September 8th, 2006 at 9:19 pm
Again I thank you so much. A newspaper in the city where I live, “The Pittsburgh Courier” ceaselessly published reports of lynchings in America. Did they make all the difference? I don’t know, but I do know that being a witness made a difference.
It’s ridiculous to paint all Ugandans with a broad brush; Red Pepper doesn’t reflect all of Uganda, indeed is an embarrassment to many. Many in Uganda understand how inciting mob action against gay people is connected to political agendas not directly having anything to do with LBGT rights, but having everything to do with basic human rights. Their basic rights. Witness the trial of Andrew Mwenda which you’ve also helpfully covered.
People all over the world can stand with good Ugandans for human rights. We must.
5. Sokari
September 8th, 2006 at 10:17 pm
John - I believe if you go down to Kampala today as a gay man or lesbian you will find yourself at best shunned and at worst beaten or even killed - definately you will not be able to return to your house or job. Please let us listen to what is being said by those who are experiencing it and not what we would like to imagine. People have gone into hiding and not for the first time. Of course not everyone in Uganda is behind this disgusting campagin. Pastors who have come out in support of LGBT have been ostracised, thrown out, lost their income and become isolated - that is the price they paid. Everyone is affected by this cesspool of bigotry - there is no other word for it.
Twilight Zone it is -
6. brownfemipower
September 9th, 2006 at 12:31 am
twilight zone from hell actually…
7. Women of Color Blog » We shall shame her
September 9th, 2006 at 12:57 am
[…] Posted by brownfemipower on 08 Sep 2006 at 03:57 pm | Tagged as: violence against WoC, actions and organizing via black looks […]
8. Renegade Eye
September 9th, 2006 at 5:39 am
There is still no peace in Uganda.
9. Proud Ugandan
September 9th, 2006 at 10:00 am
When i and Victor appeared on Radio Simba on August 23 in year 2004,We survived a mob which waited almost for three hours outside teh radio station,some GLBTs in response said that we were seeking cheap popularity,many left Uganda now,its now affecting us all. This is a battle that can be driven by all Ugandans no matter if they are straight or homosexuals,let us get more energy to stand for Freedom.
Proud Ugandan
Kampala
10. Brian
September 9th, 2006 at 2:07 pm
I don’t know what the libel laws are like in Uganda, but I do not that in the US, it can not be considered libel if it’s true.
11. mshairi
September 10th, 2006 at 2:37 am
I will try to call and if not, send a e-mail of protest to Red Pepper. We must find a way to stop the disregard of human rights of people whose only crime is their sexual orientation. Thanks for bringing this horrific issue to our attention, Sokari.
12. Blackamazon
September 11th, 2006 at 1:24 am
oh dear god . My letter is sent but sweet life what is this what is gained from this?
Anyone who seeks to paint all of UGanda with this brush is a fool and a bigot
Bles sthese people may they be safe
13. vegankid » Blog Archive » Letter Writing Sunday #17
September 11th, 2006 at 6:32 am
[…] This week’s letter comes via Sokari over at […]
14. Sanaag
September 13th, 2006 at 12:48 pm
It’s certainly a horrible violation of basic human rights. Moreover, forcing people to deny who they are may benefit those who have a double agenda, but it’s certainly a proven recipe to create a self-destroying fake society.
I’ve called a couple of times; they hung up as soon as I mentioned the subject. So I mailed.
For the silent majority in Uganda and elsewhere thinking they’re safe:
First they came for the Communists,
and I didn’t speak up,
because I wasn’t a Communist.
Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn’t speak up,
because I wasn’t a Jew.
Then they came for the Catholics,
and I didn’t speak up,
because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me,
and by that time there was no one
left to speak up for me.
Rev. Martin Niemoller, Germany, 1945
15. Blackamazon
September 13th, 2006 at 7:13 pm
HAs anyone gotten a repsonse?
16. Sokari
September 14th, 2006 at 3:05 am
Human Rights Activists are presenting discussing new strategies to deal with this matter - once decisions are made public I will post here. thanks to everyone for your support on this.
17. Taking Place » Blog Archive » Letter Writing Sunday #17
September 15th, 2006 at 1:12 am
[…] This week’s letter comes via Sokari over at Black Looks. I think Sokari has said it well enough, so here are her words: […]
18. POTASH
September 16th, 2006 at 1:18 pm
I totally agree with you on the issue of witch hunts affecting everyone. It is often times that you hear people volunteering malicious information on others, when this happens the accused person can never clear him/herself of the accusation regardless of whether guilt is proved or not.
More specifically though, freedom of choice is a right as important to the freedom off expression that Red Pepper seems to be enjoying; why cannot those rights meet at a point where human dignity is not sacrificed at the altar of sensational journalism?
19. Sokari
September 17th, 2006 at 9:03 am
Good point - Red Peppers actions which replicated the outings carried out by the Cameroonian press are nothing but vindictive. They enjoy freedom of expression which is a human right but wish to deny freedom of sexual choice to others who are different to them. Double standard.
20. Becky
September 21st, 2006 at 1:56 pm
Hiya
For anybody in London who wishes to protest about this issue there’s a demo taking place in tomorrow in Trafalgar square.
http://hurryupharry.bloghouse.net/archives/2006/09/21/protest_ugandas_persecution_of_gays.php
21. Alas, a blog » Blog Archive » Letter Writing Sunday #17
November 14th, 2006 at 6:31 pm
[…] This week’s letter comes via Sokari over at Black Looks. I think Sokari has said it well enough, so here are her words: […]
22. Brian
January 2nd, 2007 at 3:47 am
Great Page !!!!
23. Mato-john
April 6th, 2007 at 7:58 am
Guys and ladies, if you are enjoying ur stuff under cover, Plz do. Let not anyone discover your sweet enjoyments. They might copy or envy you.
Keep the fire burning.
I do enjoy in silence.
24. kakuru ka tehangwa
April 24th, 2007 at 1:37 pm
ilike all you do
25. denise proud lesbian
November 16th, 2007 at 2:32 am
i am proud to be a lesbian,and to all the asswholes who dont like it fuck off
i dont sleep wit u. and i think that we should be treated with respect because we are human.the people in uganda or wateva should be ashsmed of them self ur all fucker’s.
26. pato
February 6th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
what i request is that if you’re gay yeah its good for you but spread it to the outs
don’t go pending on the generations
juveniles because thats what ugandans are fighting for. they don’t mind any thing about you but mind their kids and cultures
how will the gay group become big without children get me want answers
27. timothy
February 14th, 2008 at 7:24 am
redpepper has created quite a niche for itsself as a tabloid in uganda,,but at what cost if i may ask?icant quite understand their editorial policy but surely homophobia slander and sensationalism might fatten their coffers,but alittle humanity in this quest isnt to much to ask for or is it?
28. timothy
February 14th, 2008 at 7:31 am
what yardstick does redpepper use to determine whos gay and who isnt?and anyway whos business is it if ma neighbour likes it in the ass? i personally know of someone who was labeled gay based on this tabloids public request for people to be labeled as so?my man lost his job makes u feel good mr editor?one .he promiised to kill one of u!!!,how i wish so