ugandan churches plan to thwart homosexuality

By Nthateng Mhlambiso and Musa Ngubane (BTM Reporter and The Link Project Coordinator)

August 21, 2007: The Interfaith Coalition Against Homosexuality led by Ugandan Reverend Martin Sempa is staging a rally against homosexuality at Kyddondo rugby grounds in Kampala today.

Held to vindicate government’s stance in that country on its laws of banning homosexuality, the rally is also aimed at defeating efforts by gays and lesbians in that country for visibility.

According to Sempa, the rally is a direct response to a Press conference held on 16 August by Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) – an umbrella organisation for Ugandan lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people – which is against injustices towards the LGBTI people.

He added that the rally is only the beginning of a series of protests planned to fight homosexuality in Uganda.

“We will be joined by former gays and lesbians, religious and cultural leaders as well as groups of victims who have been molested and sodomised”, Sempa said.

Talking about SMUG’s Press conference, Sempa said it was held by “a group of traumatised people” who want to change the laws to accommodate homosexuality, which he says [about wanting to change the laws] that they infringe that country’s morals.

Themed Let us live in peace, the SMUG’s conference aimed to fight state-sponsored homophobia, and to give face to homosexuals faced with discrimination in Uganda.

The Press conference has attracted much publicity from the media in general.

SMUG further thanked police for recently reinforcing justice in Uganda, and commended parents who continue to support their children despite their homosexual orientation.

LGBTI representatives also highlighted that gay people are denied protection for HIV and Aids because of government’s discriminatory programmes.  

In response to the dilemma in terms of HIV and Aids, Sempa said homosexuals are the ones to be blamed for bringing the disease upon themselves.

“We tell our people all the time that ‘you are at risk of getting HIV and Aids if you are a homosexual, and that sodomy is a crime”, he asserted.

Meanwhile, Chairperson of SMUG, Victor Juliet Mukasa wasn’t bothered by Sempa’s rally.

“The alleged demonstration will not stop us from advocating for the rights of homosexual people in Uganda”, vaunted Mukasa.

She added that SMUG is not intending to prevent the protest.

“Ugandan citizens have a right to share their opinions, and this will not, in anyway, hinder our strategy. The struggle continues”, Mukasa said.