integrity uganda challenges mother’s union for neglecting gay issues

By Nthateng Mhlambiso (BTM Senior Reporter)

UGANDA – March 25, 2008: David Kato of Integrity Uganda, a faith based Christian organisation which attempts to clarify that the bible does not condemn same-sex relationships, challenged the Mother’s Union for failing to engage in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people’s affairs in Uganda.

In last month’s letter addressed to the president of the Mother’s Union Debra SSengendo, Kato expressed his dismay towards the union as it seems to neglect LGBTI people regarding families upbringing as its main preaching.

He said such preaching in churches disbands families especially the LGBTI families as parents would neglect their LGBTI children.

He also emphasised that if there’s silence within such families there would always be abuse such as rapes on LGBTI children and dismissals “from schools in the name of religion and they are refused a place in the house of the very God who created them.”

He added that lack of reception and understanding by the Mother’s Union, and excluding gay issues forced LGBTI children to poverty because they are thrown out of homes, workplaces, schools and churches.

He also said that the attitudes towards LGBTI children have been fuelling HIV infections.

According to Kato, the ‘extreme’ conditions of poverty, rejection, hunger and hostility lure children into ‘evils’ such as suicide, terrorist tendencies and extreme hooliganism.

“Such a result is contrary to the transformation that Mother’s Union aims to achieve as per their 2001-2010 commitment to a culture of peace and non-violence for all the children of the world.” He said in the letter.

He requests that the Mother’s Union addresses the needs of LGBTI children by acknowledging their different sexuality and show them love.

When Behind The Mask contacted SSengendo, she said that she had not received the letter. However, Kato said that SSengendo requested Integrity Uganda to first explain what the acronym LGBTI meant and that the organisation had to explain clearly what it wanted the Mothers Union to do for it.

“I asked if she could make an appointment with us and we visit her office for a dialogue which she welcomed, but being too busy she proposed only on a Saturday”, Kato said so also indicating that they still need to meet with the Mothers Union.