When Uganda makes the world news, it tends to be big. Twenty years ago it was the first to register an AIDS epidemic, which decimated the population in some areas of the country. Related to and coming after this was the ABC campaign of the First Lady, Janet Museveni, with the emphasis clearly on the A (Abstinence). Now it is a bill before Parliament, entitled the Anti-Homosexuality Act (2009), introduced by parliamentarian, David Bahati, a born-again Christian. Bahati said that the family is under threat, and that anyone who says that homosexuality is of minor concern underestimates the damage being done.
Outside Africa, the proposed bill is considered excessively harsh and is being heavily criticized. At the recent Commonwealth Summit, held in Port of Spain, Trinidad, the Canadian government described it as “reprehensible, vile and hateful.” The Anglican Church in Canada has denounced the Bill, as have some Evangelical leaders in the US, and Anglican leaders in Britain. At the same forum, Gordon Brown, British Prime Minister, raised the issue with President Museveni. However, it didn’t get far at the conference since the main interest was in climate change, and the admission of Francophone Rwanda to the Commonwealth. Besides, Uganda would have had the support of the remaining African Commonwealth countries.
Within the country, however, it is hardly an issue, except for one clear point: Ugandans don’t want laws favoring homosexuality or same-sex marriages. The Speaker of Parliament, Edward Ssekandi, told a local newspaper it was necessary to take whatever measures to stop homosexual liaisons in the country. Museveni himself told a group of youth recently that God was not foolish to create man and woman as He did. The Minister of Ethics and Integrity said he views the bill with joy as it will provide leadership for other countries. And a Church of Uganda (Anglican) prelate declared his support, “for the good of our youth, and for Uganda. We are in charge here; we don’t have to listen to Canada and the UK.” The progressive permissiveness of the West could create a backlash, and a tighter clinging to both religious and traditional African values.
The provisions of the bill are: life term in prison for one homosexual act. Option of the death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality”, which includes relations with a minor or a disabled person; repeated homosexual acts; and if the offender (initiator of the act) has HIV, or uses drugs or alcohol to procure sex.
The bill further bans the promotion of homosexuality, and proposes a 3-year prison term for anyone failing to report homosexuals to the police.
The Anglicans, Pentecostals, Evangelicals and Muslims have endorsed the “spirit” of the bill, but some have objected to the death penalty. So far the Catholic hierarchy has said little. It is in a tight spot. The Catechism of the Catholic Church is opposed to the death penalty, and in favor of compassion and understanding for people with homosexual tendencies; this means facilitating pastoral guidance for such people. The tenor and present draft of the Bill don’t make such allowances.
Besides his comment on God’s decision to create man and woman separately, Museveni has not been drawn into the debate yet, but it is well know he is strongly opposed to homosexuality. This is partly because he respects what is written in the Bible; perhaps more because he is a strong supporter of traditional African values, particularly in regard to family, life and marriage, the roles of men and women in the community, and the benefits of a large population. He was one of three African leaders (the others were Gaddafi of Libya and Egypt’s Mubarak) to refuse to sign the Maputo Protocol nearly three years ago, because it opened the way for abortion and reproductive rights.
In Africa life and fertility are sacred; anything that stunts or blocks them, such as sterility or unnatural acts, like homosexuality, are considered a curse. Most Ugandans are Christians, with a minority of Muslims. Both faiths support the value of life and family. End of the story. Ask any Ugandan in the street: university professor, lawyer, building-site worker or the woman sweeping the street. It is non-negotiable.
Pressure has been mounting from outside the continent for the past two years to introduce the same rights for homosexuals as are on the statute books of most Western countries. An international NGO recently reported in the newspaper that there are 500,000 homosexuals in Uganda, in a country of 30 million where half the population is below 15 years of age. Impossible. First, because the figures are excessively high. Second, and more important, no-one would ever admit to having such a tendency, except a tiny handful who have spent time overseas and have come back to fight the campaign in favor.
There is little doubt the Bill will be passed, either in its present form or with adjustments. Uganda’s elections are just over one year away. To not pass strong measures against introducing something so un-African into the country would, among other things, be political suicide.
Martyn Drakard is a writer based in Kenya and Uganda.
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