 of these has become a key item on the agenda of many NGOs. Indeed as is often the case in a fledgling democracy, the Ugandan government has been criticised for trying to enforce their influence onto civil society. One particular area that has captured international attention has been government backed attacks on the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) groups. Inherited from colonial rule, the practise of homosexual acts is a criminal offence in Uganda and is punishable with up to life imprisonment. Despite international condemnation, an anti-homosexuality bill which was submitted in parliament in 2009 and then passed (pending approval) in December 2013 extends this by penalising those seen to support or promote an LGBT agenda. The bill, which has received widespread international condemnation, suggests harsher penalties for “sexual touching” between same sex-couples and punishes parents who do not report their gay and lesbian children to the authorities as well as landlords who provide housing to suspected homosexuals. The bill has a very loose framework that leaves many sections open to multiple interpretations. In theory this could mean that anyone associating with gays or lesbians could face condemnation – a doctor treating a gay man could be charged for doing so and an article such as this would be seen as “gay propaganda”.
In Uganda there is a strong anti-gay sentiment rooted in society which has resulted in an extremely marginalised LGBT community. Such is the shame of being homosexual, that abandonment by families, dismissal from work and refusal of basic medical services are not uncommon. Many have pointed to the government’s unabated hostility and harassment of homosexuals as a populist method of gaining public support at the cost of an already very vulnerable section of society. A feeling of discomfort towards a “different” group has manifested into a paranoia and obsessional hatred among the general public. Claims linking homosexuality to the spread of HIV/AIDS as well as defining them as paedophiles looking to “recruit” children contribute to the overall demonisation of gays and lesbians. In a deeply Christian country where Church and State work closely together this issue has been further exacerbated by an influx of evangelical (anti gay) forms of Christianity from the USA looking to spread their influence and “protect” the moral fabric of society. Homosexuality is a common theme in church services in which pastors use their platform to preach anti-gay rhetoric and encourage disgust and outrage among their congregations.
Commentators have described homophobic attitudes in Uganda as a virulent hatred, with homosexuality considered by many a sin greater than rape or murder. Those people who choose to live an openly homosexual lifestyle do so at great personal risk. Curative rape to “treat” lesbianism, gay bashing and even public outings by the tabloid press are bitter realities faced by the Ugandan LGBT community. Civil rights groups and NGOs working with sexual minorities face harassment and many have been forced to withdraw their support from the country. The murder of prominent advocate for sexual minorities David Kato brought worldwide condemnation. Kato became a publicly known figure in Uganda after he successfully sued the tabloid Rolling Stone for defamation after the newspaper had published Kato’s picture, name and address in an article which called for the execution of these homosexuals who are named and shamed. Unperturbed, Kato continued his work for the NGO Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) however the frequency of harassment and homophobic threats towards Kato increased dramatically. It is widely believed that his murder was attributed to his court case and his advocacy of gay rights.
The recent case of the Briton, Bernard Randell, arrested in Uganda on grounds of possessing gay pornography on his personal computer has once again highlighted the desperate situation on an international platform. Uganda has been dubbed by foreign media as “the worst place to be gay”. There seems t