Over 100 people attended Uganda's second annual Gay Pride Parade
held on a beach in the southern city of Entebbe on Saturday.
According to Voice
of America, police broke up last year's parade. But activists
said they viewed the overall event as a success.
“The success gave us confidence that we can do it,” gay rights
activist Kelly Mukwano said. “We are getting more confident as
time goes by.”
The march was held about 20 miles from Kampala, the largest city
and capital of Uganda.
“Today, we are here, miles away from Kampala,” said one
marcher. “Baby steps. Soon we shall be on Kampala Road.”
Uganda attracted worldwide condemnation in 2009 with the
introduction of an anti-gay bill which proposed the death penalty
against gay men and lesbians found guilty of “aggravated
homosexuality,” or multiple violations. The controversial bill has
yet to be debated by lawmakers.
Beyondy, a transsexual, said that she relished this year's march
after what happened last year.
“Last year, I was one of the people who were beaten up by the
police,” said Beyondy. “So today I'm happy that we are free. No
one is staring and stopping our marching.”