But this gentleman wrote, and the Monitor has published it. I love it. I am showing it wholly as it appears in the Monitor today 20 Sept 2007.
Kudos to you, Mr Robert Ekyomuhendo of Kasubi.
I refer to the article Homosexuality is where the money is by Mr Gawaya Tegulle (Daily Monitor, September 15). It defies understanding how far we seem to go to justify our prejudices. I’m gay, a homosexual and a Ugandan. But according to Tegulle’s logic, it is impossible for me to be gay and Ugandan.
And if I’m, then it is because of money coming from outside. My struggles are dismissed by a person who touts prejudices without facts. Mr Tegulle, (happily for him) belongs to the 95 per cent of my country mates who disapprove of what I am. But that does not mean that I will become straight. My rights as a human being are trampled upon because I’m gay.
When I protest, people have the freedom of speech to say that I must be funded from outside. I don’t seem to have the corresponding freedom to say no.
Logic and research are put aside. Hatred, a willingness to believe any ill, and to write long epistles justifying these things. We are supposed to move around in nappies, we are abused as not being Ugandan.
We are demented. I’m happy that many countries in the world see my sexual orientation as normal. They accept that I’m a human being. But I’m disappointed that fellow Ugandans are convinced that I’m not.
Robert Ekyomuhendo, Kasubi
8 comments:
Read it in the Monitor and thought it was authored by you. There is a curious similarity in style.
But then I thought, these could actually be two different authors with common struggles. Feeling the same intensity of pain and anger. And anger has a way of colouring our writing styles. Similar anger, similar style.
But back to Gawaya. I thought Tegule was more evolved than that. He used to host TV talk shows and I thought he was capable of reason. And why not do some little research before coming up with such an assertion. I guess Timothy Kalyegira has always been right about Ugandans and Africans in general having limited capacity for curious inquiry and research. But to cut fellow countrymen (the 95%) some slack, it appears homosexuality is as well an ultimate test for men and women’s logical thinking capacity.
@Têtue: Africans have limited thinking capacity? Are you drunk? Maybe you've not met enough of them.
Here's a corollary for you: homosexuals have limited thinking capacity.
@GUG:
Sorry for that flare-up above. Anyway, I think Gawaya Tegulle is generally one of all people in the world who, for supporting something, are capable of throwing all logic to the wind. Basically, the prejudice comes first, then the thinking comes next. By the prejudice existing before, the result of even logical thinking has been skewed out of shape before it even begins.
It's not just about homosexuality. If you read the many (compelling) things supporting, say, slavery in America, segregation, Nazism, et cetera, they are all logical. But they are also very wrong, because they start out with a prejudice (in cryptography, it is called a `nonce').
Plus, until proven wrong, I will insist you wrote that letter. Because the details fit quite well. Not just the writing style, but also other fine points like the fact that you stay in Kasubi.
And, yes, The Monitor (even The New Vision, but especially The Monitor) only publishes the things that sound good to their Party Line. It's sad, because they like to pretend they are for freedom of expression and all. I was about to start an un-edited paper. Everyday, it seems like a better idea.
Now, will you be at the Uganda Bloggers' Happy Hour? You don't have to blow your anonymity, if you don't want to. You could just come and lurk around and tell us you were there, or something. Or tell us `I am He', and break a few negative stereotypes. Promise: I will leave my gun at home - you won't be shot. :o)
Gentlemen, Gentlemen!
Since 27th has already apologised for the outburst, I will leave it at that.
Philosophy is an interesting subject. Too much like religion, but enough logic to show one around. 27th, you seem to love it. Or at least I think you are on the track for it.
The authorship of that letter. I will concede only this, that I am intimately acquainted with the writer.
Is my writing style that personal?
The Happy hour, thanks for the invitation. I cannot confirm that I will be there. Y'know, even if you leave your gun at home, doesnt mean that others will! But I do frequent Mateos.
Tetue, I think, is one of those very well read Africans. Something i picked up from his comments, I guess. Africans are human beings. Homosexuals are also human beings. I have discovered that thinking that a person is special because he or she is in a certain group is too fallacious an argument. None is 'bad' because they are a certain ethnic mix, or a skin color, etc. None is 'good' because they are a certain type.
I once thought that all gays in Uganda think the same as I do! But my lover regularly disabuses me of that notion.
tetue, 27th, you are both good guys. Well, in my book certainly!
oh my... this is getting deep.
don't really read the monitor so hadn't seen the letter and i actually concur with 27th comrade & tetue that it really does seem like you wrote that.
as for tetue's statement that Africans in general have limited capacity for curious inquiry and research, that's like saying all men are dogs, are u? come to think of it...lets leave at that.
Outnumbered! 3 to 1, those odds are a bit steep.
Uggh, beginning to believe it too! You know, the strength of the numbers!
hi GUG,
I'm really curious about why homosexuality is an explosive issue in Uganda. Probabably you've adrressed it somewhere else in your block, is so give me the link...
But here in Kenya, the media has on several occassions tried to highlight this issue, but you will never hear discussions about it anywhere the next day. Its just swept under the carpet and people move on. But ther, Red pepper is all up your business, politicians, mainstream media, police, the list goes on. Whats up with that?
Tetue, couldn't resist, but your remarks about Africans is really offensive. Just because someone has a different viewpoing from yours does not mean they lack curious inquiry. you as well must take the time to investigate and understand where they are coming from.
Sasha, when you ask such good questions, I have to answer them. And at length.
No wonder then that I have already answered it in a post, above, and that it is lengthy, or that it has made me stop everything else that I was doing just to write it up.
Be well.
Post a Comment