A bill before the Ugandan Parliament
that would increase the penalties for having gay sex enjoys wide
public support in the African nation, but a few brave Ugandans are
speaking out against the proposal.
Bob Kabaziguruka from Kampala, the
nation's largest city and its seat of government, is one of those
people.
In a letter published last week by the
Kampala-based Observer, Kabaziguruka, who is not gay, urged
lawmakers to reject the bill that would outlaw gay sex and includes a
death provision for repeat offenders and people who are
HIV-positive.
“Personally, I believe Parliament is
better off concentrating on issues such as the sorry state of our
hospitals and other decaying institutions in the country rather than
focusing on homosexuality and spreading homophobia,” he wrote.
“The Anti-Homosexuality Bill proposed
by MP David Bahati is ditracting legislators from the issues that are
most pressing for the long suffering Ugandans. According to the MP,
God created man and woman and gay acts are against religious
teachings, as well as African culture.”
“Perhaps this bill should be amended
to include masturbation; it too should be criminalized. Masturbation
is also against all religious teachings, African culture and the
institution of marriage. God created man and woman not man and man,
and certainly not man or woman to pleasure him or herself!”
Kabaziguruka told On Top Magazine
that he wrote the letter, which included his full name, because “I
felt this bill is irresponsible, dangerous and will encourage
vigilantism.”
But the bill would also penalize gay
allies such as Kabaziguruka. It would implore friends and family
members to report a violation of the law within 24 hours. The bill
would make the “promotion of homosexuality” illegal, effectively
banning political organizations, broadcasters and publishers that
advocate on behalf of gay rights.
While admitting that anti-gay sentiment
is rife in Uganda, he said he did not fear a reprisal from the
government.
“Not all media will publish such
opinions though, but whenever possible, I do speak out on injustices
including political issues which are less tolerated. I still believe
that the purpose of this bill is to enhance the MP's popularity and
not to address any assumed 'gay crisis'.”
He added that the silver lining in the
proposed bill was the debate it has spurred.
“At least people are talking about
being gay in Uganda and are openly challenging the guardians of our
morality. This debate although unlikely to change all attitudes can
only be good for the society in general.”
Despite increasing international
pressure to kill the proposal, Bahati, the bill's sponsor, has
refused to withdraw the legislation.