News

Some church leaders join battle against Uganda's gay bill

9 February (ENInews)--Following the re-introduction in Uganda of a bill
that would harshly punish homosexuality, gay rights activists, including some
church leaders, are uniting through Twitter and Facebook to oppose it.

The Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2009 was revived on 7 January in parliament by
David Bahati, the legislator who is its architect, prompting fresh
protests worldwide, similar to those that led to its shelving in 2011.

"I am very disappointed with the return of the bill," former Anglican
Bishop Christopher Ssenyonjo of West Buganda told ENInews in a telephone
interview on 8 February from Kampala, Uganda's capital.

A significant change is the removal of the provision for the death
penalty, but the new bill still increases to life imprisonment the punishment for
homosexual activity, which is illegal in Uganda, with many faith leaders
rejecting it as sinful and contrary to Scripture.

But Ssenyonjo criticized politicians for seeking popularity through the
bill. He cautioned that it will not work in the long run. "As you can see, a
lot needs to be done and we have to use all methods such as Twitter and
Facebook," said the bishop who ministers to lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgendered people (LGBTs).

Action against the bill has been mounting on social networks including
Twitter and Facebook. A petition seeking 5,000 signatures to urge President
Yoweri Museveni and Parliament to reject the law is currently being signed by
linking through the networks. It warns Uganda of isolation by the west
over the bill.

In Kenya, Anglican priest Michael Kimindu, the African President of the
Other Sheep, a gay rights group, said he will post tweets against it.

"It is un-African to suggest killing, whether it is because of sexual
orientation or any other reason. We think this bill is very unfair. We are
lobbying for its removal," said Kimindu.

According to Jane Wochaya, communications official at Gay Trust Kenya, the
social networks were being used to unite calls for protection of
homosexual rights in Uganda.

"The bill goes against the U.N. declaration of human rights and against
fundamental basic human rights," she said.

LBGTs will not start new churches or mosques, according to her, but hoped
for acceptance in the existing ones since the faiths stress love,
acceptance and inclusion.

Fredrick Nzwili

Fredrick Nzwili is a journalist and media consultant based in Nairobi, Kenya.

All articles »