confusion as smug doesn't understand why the police are being

By Musa Ngubane

July 25, 2005: Kampala - As SMUG officials report to a Kampala police station in accord with the recent police orders handed over to them, they are perplexed that the police reception towards the group has been ironically cordial. But they fear that the worst is to come still.

With the help of International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) representative who was in Uganda at the time of the raids and lawyers, the victims of the raid view with scepticism the relative peace and civil treatment given by the police.

"We are still in hiding but our most worry now is that the police are befriending us and that is making us suspicious. Because the police still have the documentary evidence with them. And another mystery to us is that the Human Rights Commission has referred us to another organisation all together and we have no clue what that means".

At the time of the raid, the Human Rights Commission had expressed eagerness to help the harassed activists. At the time of going online with the story, the group - although it has reported to the police station as required - had not yet been formally charged and it remains to be seen what the purpose of information acquired through various documentation seized by the police at the chairperson's house last week was.

With international lobbying looming amidst frantic around the clock strategising, including BtM network of activists on the continent, SMUG officials are on alert mode as they acknowledge that this may be a pacifying tactic to soften them up. "Please don't expect us to talk to you in public or hold meetings as the press is constantly on our case, rather email or call us," said one activist in reaction to this courteous police treatment.