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 to be little doubt of the truth behind this statement. In a country where the government systematically subjects a minority to unabated harassment and actively encourage their discrimination, it would appear that very little consideration is given to basic human rights. The effectiveness of CSOs is being impeded, leaving an already vulnerable group in an even worse position. The role of civil society in stimulating public debate and offering a platform for all citizens has in this context been silenced. The government has rebuked calls from the international community for a policy change and further antagonize the situation by labelling homosexuality a Western disease and “Un-African”, therefore encouraging nationalistic convictions. Ironically the reality of the anti-homosexual laws and intolerant attitudes are more reminiscent of British colonial rule when homosexuality was defined and outlawed within the legal system, than of a free, independent Africa.
While the future for Uganda’s LGBT community is unclear it is of utmost importance that their struggle is not forgotten or goes unheard. It has been suggested that foreign donors should halt aid in protest, however this would then leave the LGBT community in a more vulnerable position. It seems clear that in Uganda as indeed much of Africa, acceptance and the beginnings of equality for the LGBT community can only be brought about with a general acceptance that sexuality is key to what makes us who we are.