Tuesday, September 30, 2008

A Homosexual Scandal in Uganda.

Uh, another one. But one that strikes to the root of the problem for the gay Ugandan.

Kiwewesi.

He is a pastor of a Pentecostal church. Kansanga Miracle Center Church, one of the ‘new’, non traditional churches. He drew people around him with his charisma, built it from a reed walled structure to a huge, eye catching edifice in the Kansanga rich man’s slum.

He was unmarried for long. All the ladies would have loved to swoon at the feet of this charismatic young man, an up and coming preacher, a mover in the Pentecostal world in Uganda. But he was too busy doing the work of god.

I ‘hear’, as in the ‘grapevine’ that, there came a time and the pressure to get married was a little overwhelming. So, with his parents hot on his case, he gave them the go ahead.

‘I am a bit shy,’ confessed the famous preacher, ‘Dad, can you choose me a woman?’

Daddy was not shy at all. The opposite, in fact.

Quickly, a young woman caught Daddy’s resourceful eye. The family vetted the lady, and were happy about the results. Good family, good people, respectful, saved, etc, etc.

The lady was presented to the young man, who was immediately enamored. Who predictably, immediately fell in love. She could not but fall in love with him. Young, powerful, rich, charismatic, the founder pastor of one of the most powerful Pentecostal churches in Kampala.

The lady was introduced to the church. The church swooned with love for the lady.

Fundraising, and ultimately, the wedding of the year. Was it 2007, or 08? I remember, because, well, the wedding was held in Namboole Stadium, a 40,000 people seater, and was the wedding of the year. The budget was an eye popping 300 Million Uganda shillings. And the couple went off on a honeymoon in California. Or, at least that is what I remember.

Pastor Kiwewesi was wed at last. And one of the most eligible bachelors removed from the scene, in style. Society swooned.

Oh, I have removed many of the attending flares, like the lady pastor who sent the eminent Kiwewesi a message that god had appeared to her in a vision, and told her that Kiwewesi was not supposed to marry than lady, but the one this pastoress had seen in a vision…

Pastor Kiwewesi's house. Inset, the man himself.
They do live well, dont they. Sniff of envy!

And they lived happily thereafter?

Poor Ugandans.

Poor Kiwewesi.

Poor, misguided, blind, ignorant believers.

The man is homosexual. Or, so the media is breaking the news.

Poor Ugandans. We have become so enamoured of the idea that sex is bad, that we assume that our bible tells us all there is about sex. Sex is bad. Sex must happen in marriage. And marriage has to be arranged. Abstain till marriage myth. Poor Ugandans.

To some believers, marriage is arranged by the good pastor.

Kiwewesi could not come out and say that he is homosexual. Why do we, homosexuals, go to god? Why do we homosexuals have this hunger for god that, despite the fact that the church hurts us so much, we feel the need to gravitate towards it?

I did it myself. Lucky that I came to jump out of that pit of ignorance.

Maybe it is just the fact that we are like every other human being. Our spirituality is part of us. Our desire and need to believe is an overwhelming part of us. When we discover that we are gay, immediately we think to believe those who say they can heal us of this 'evil spirit'. No, thanks for small mercies, I was never brave enough to submit to a public exorcism.

For Kiwewesi, all the signs were there, for anyone who wanted to know, to see. Matter of fact, I had heard a rumour or two, from the grapevine. I have never slept with the dude, so, I cannot confirm, or deny. All I know is that on Thursday, the news was broken. On WBS television. On the Luganda programme. Apparently, it was taken up by the Monitor newspaper (funny, I have searched for that online, and I have failed to get it.) And, the red rug, and Bukedde, a Luganda daily has taken up the chase.

Poor Kiwewesi.

His life is destroyed. And for us, we are seeing, again, what can happen to any of us if we are ever exposed.

And poor gay Ugandans.

A former lover is accusing the guy. Apparently, the wedding made him bitter. He thought he had much to get from the guy, but the Pastor succumbed to the pressure of society.

Poor Ugandans. We are caught in the midst of our blind, ignorant attitude towards sexuality and matters of sex. We deny that they are homosexuals, fail to see them when they are, where they are, make their lives hell. And when we discover them, a scandal.

Poor Kiwewesi.




GayUganda

24 comments:

Leonard said...

"I did it myself. Lucky that I came to jump out of that pit of ignorance" GayUganda

I don't know, desperation does many things...where does one "go" if they don't go to God? Doesn't seem to me the options are many...obviously, there is a "trust" factor...there is a "envy" factor...there is a guilt/shame factor...who likes being demoralized, excluded and abominated? Good intentions are good, it's just that some are laced with self-deceit and insanity...desperation inspires horrible things but often there is no human being that can "fix" people, places and things...sometimes, a miracle is necessary...at least, that's how it's been for me...the biggest part is when the "answers" do come am I willing to take them? Acceptance and willingness count.

Anonymous said...

"Our spirituality is part of us. Our desire and need to believe is an overwhelming part of us. When we discover that we are gay, immediately we think to believe those who say they can heal us of this 'evil spirit'."

The good thing about this that I find, is that I have not allowed anybody (including other Christians and churchgoers) to decide for me what is evil and what is not. I will not let people tell me that I need healing, when all I see in their eyes and hear in their words is a burning hatred. It is they who need to be exorcised.

I discovered that I am gay, but I also know that I am spiritual and I believe that the two can complement each other. Oh, they can criticise me all they want, but I do not go to church to worship them, neither do I pray to them or go to seek their adulation or their approval. I seek approval in the sight of the Divine and that is where my eyes are firmly fixed. Let the criticisers burn in their anger that I dare to revel in the cloak of righteousness. I am proudly gay, but I am also a child of God and in the same sense as any other true child of God.

spiralx said...

What controversial says. Right on, brother.

gayuganda said...

Hmmmmmm!

Now is the time to have the likes of Kimbowa and Nevender here. Good discussion that would be, that is, if you guys are ready to slip into a bit of illogic and blindness!

Me, I will remain on my fence!

Princess said...

GUG, you are most definitely not on the fence. :-)
I'd like to see what the article actually said though...

gayuganda said...

Well,

I am on the fence. Cant help being there. Actually, meant on the fence far as religion is concerned. Forget my attacks at those who attack me in the name of their religion. I have to defend myself, but remain on the fence!

The articles, they would all have been here... But, the ones which I actually saw were in the red rug... Kinda an enemy of mine. Bukedde, is of course Luganda. Follow the links.

Princess said...

The Monitor link doesn't show a thing and I couldn't read Luganda to save my life anyway. :D
That plus the Bukedde link has refused to open...

Anthony Venn-Brown said...

for some of us...our fall from grace is our salvation from self hatred and loathing.....and frees us to become authentic in life and finally live in the light of who we are...and no longer be afraid or ashamed.

For some of us we found that even though our sexual orientation is not a choice our morality is.....and in the end we found a God who loves unconditionally and without judgment.

gayuganda said...

Princess,

To recommend the Red rug is beneath me. You can check out their filthy website. And i will email you their rubbish of the article.

Anthony,

very, very, very well said! And you are welcome here.

Anthony Venn-Brown said...

thanks....as a former high profile pentecostal preacher is now an out and proud gay man I understand I guess.

Anthony Venn-Brown said...

here is some of my story if you are interested

http://gayambassador.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

WELL AM FROM CA,USA I THINK THE BEST WAY SUCH PPLE SHOULD NT BE ALLOWED TO LEAD IN A SOCIETY AND THE UGANDAN GOVT SHOULD ISSUE LICENSE TO CHURCHES BEFORE.ITS LIKE AN AIR BONE DESEASE ONCE ITS THERE AMONG U THATS IT.SO THAT CHURCH SHOULD BE CLOSED. ROBERTS

gayuganda said...

Hi Anthony,

thanks for sharing that with us. It is realy beautiful.

Does make me feel like lashing out at Roberts from Canada!

Roberts, if I ask you to do yourself a favour and read, to the end, that very personal testimony, you will of course not do it.
Yet, if you do read it... Our world is a very strange and wonderful place. Sometimes our minds are opened to understanding, and hate, like pus from a boil, oozes out.

Thanks again, Anthony.

gug

DeTamble said...

...that's a house? For real? You're not just pulling my leg here mate, are ya? That looks like and flippin' hotel!

Yes, yes, poor dude, which country is he going to live in now?

Anthony Venn-Brown said...

to tell you the truth gayugandan.....i never real feel like lashing out at anyone.

The enemy we fight is not people, churches, political parties or governments......the enemy is IGNORANCE......sometimes its easy to get those that mixed up.

If people desire to engage with me in an informed, intelligent and respectful dialogue then I'll do that as that helps further the cause and bring change.....those who have already made up their minds and want to argue.....I just leave them in their ignorance.

I feel called to be a gay ambassador not a gay activist.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Venn-Brown

gayuganda said...

Ummmm!

I am not a very good angel. And it needs an angel to deal with the Ssempa's of this world!

Me, I just feel like deriding them for their ignorance.

See, Ssempa goes to the extent of trying to make a guy lose a job here, just because he is homosexual. Am afraid I am no angel to forgive him for his stupidity, and hate, and ignorance. Life is too hard for me to be that merciful!!!!

gayuganda said...

I have read the Wikipedia article.

Now, you are the heavy weight to tackle the lightweights of Orombi and Ssempa.

But, I am still minded to bash them, instead of pity them, though I have just discovered the luxury of pitying them!!!!

Anonymous said...

U can't use the exit for the entrace. brothers! come back home...We love u so much.Imagine using one's hands for walking, or the the nose for eating!

spiralx said...

Thnak you, Blameless Hanyerere!

All unwitting, you just destoyed your own argument! "Walking on hands" - well, yes, we can, and we do, actually! Not easy, but do-able, certainly! Mostly in circuses, also some handicapped people.

As for "feeding through the nose" - well, that's exactly what you do in hospital sometimes, unpleasant though it may be.

So go find another (weak) excuse to condemn gay people! You certainly won't find a convincing one!

Anthony Venn-Brown said...

Blameless Hanyerere I think your comments re exits and entrances reflects a very poor understanding of the human body and sexuality. Actually ignorance about the topics.

Not all gay men engage in what you speak about but are still gay. Lesbians don't and they are gay. Heterosexuals do it and they are still heterosexual. In fact I'm under the impression that in some parts of Africa Anglican Bishops demand it from their wives as a form of contraception. Some actually have more than one wife....which the western church seems to turn a blind eye to (apparently because its cultural)even though Paul says that elders must be the husband of one wife.

it is sad that you have tried to reduce the complexities of human sexuality down to a single act you obviously know so little about.

To use your rather crass terms of exit and entrance you have overlooked a very simple fact. The vagina and penises are also exit points for waste material.

This is not the place really to discuss human physiology but you could become more informed by reading articles such as.
http://health.discovery.com/centers/sex/sexpedia/analsex.html

Anonymous said...

YOU PEOPLE ARE REALLY IN BONDAGE. IT IS ONLY GOD THAT CAN SAVE YOU. REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED IN SODOM AND GOMORAH, THAT JUDGEMENT IS AWAITING UNREPENTED GAYS AND LESBIANS. IT IS NOT THE WILL OF GOD FOR YOU TO PERISH BUT IF YOU DECIDE TO PERISH IT IS YOUR CHOICE. THE BIBLE SAID IT IS A SIN, YOUR CREATOR SAID IT IS A SIN AND YOU STILL FIND ESCUSE TO COVER YOUR IGNORANCE. PLEASE CHANGE! GOD LOVES YOU BUT HATE YOUR ATTITUDE TOWARDS YOUR SEXUAL LIFE.SHALOM

gayuganda said...

Wow, Anon,

thanks for the sermon.

I am not Christian. Thank the deities. Your god is too harsh, and you are no example...

thanks for your opinions.

Anthony Venn-Brown said...

you are right gayuganda......Anon's comment are not very christian or very enlightened. I'm so glad they are not speaking on behalf of all christians. The gay christian movement is strong and growing as people have come to realise that our morality is a choice but our sexual orientation isn't.

Anonymous said...

helloooooooooooooo all , i got gay and lesbian freinds who are very nice and i dont know what to say here, though am a born again christian, i dont understand them and i tell them openly, which is fine with us but and i mean but i do pray for them to change if there are not sons of the "lost"

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