A SMUG update

The High Court of Uganda at Nakawa , presided by Judge  Faith Mwondha has granted Kalule Sasha Kirumira  court bail of cash 1.000.000 Uganda Shillings ($.500).  Kalule Sasha has been in prison for 180 days.

Kalule was arrested on May, 10th 2009 and charged  of, carnal knowledge of a person against the order of nature he was granted court bail .

When court granted Kalule  bail , the anti gay groups demonstrated in Kampala, and  demanded for his re – arrest , he was re-arrested on fresh charges of aggravated defilement.

Kalule first appeared court in on May 18th, 2009 at The Magistrate court in Entebbe.

Today in court Kalule was represented by SMUG Lawyer  Lad Rwakafuuzi, from Rwakafuuzi and Co. Advocates . Kalule’s trial starts on the 19th of November 2009.

Judge Faith Mwondha is also former Inspector general of government.

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Know why we are following up such cases? Well, we tend to be more merciful than Ssempa. It’s a fact that many people are being accused, and immediately condemned as guilty even when they are not. Due process is necessary, even when one is a homosexual. A gay Ugandan.

I know the Bahati bill will strip this basic human right of anyone who is accused of being a homosexual. That is what it reads like. Soon as you are accused, you are tested for HIV and then remanded. For up to a year. Just because someone has accused you of being a homosexual.

(Imagine where Pastor Kayanja would be now). It kind of puts things into perspective, doesn’t it? I mean, Kayanja was an innocent charged. He had the guts, money and clout to fight the witch hunt Ssempa started. And, his clout was good enough to beat back the charges. The accusations. He never even stepped in jail.

But, once the Bahati Bill is passed, this will no longer be possible. Once Kayanja is accused again….!

But, the poor guy dares not come out to demand that the ‘Anti-Homosexuality Bill’ is wrong. He would be immediately labelled homosexual by Ssempa. Yes he would. So, despite all that he went through at earlier in the year, he just cant!

I can imagine the chaos we would cause if Kayanja is accused again, and we offer to help, to defend him.

Makes me love the irony of being human, fallible.

gug