Round up, and some Personal musings

Lost a friend on Facebook. Lost like, he decides no longer to be a friend. Is a Ugandan, and, it is not exactly fun to be friends with all out there gayuganda. Not when one is Ugandan. And, made me realise that, though I do have many friends, I do feel the isolation for example, here on the blog. The other Ugandan bloggers? Well, they fear good old gug. Same ostracization as would happen in society here. But what the hell. Life is like that.

These days, seems like I live in my e-mail. To get updated with what is happening. Sometimes, good news. Sometimes, bad. Flamers not so often these days. Ugandans leave me alone. Must only visit surreptiously. I know they do. Some. Someone wrote to me sorrowfully predicting that the current row has painted Uganda in the same light as in the days of Idi Amin the Buffoon. Very true. It is very apparent to me that my countrymates are simply fixated on their 'holier than thou' attitude. That is what matters to them. They want to 'cleanse' Uganda. And, to hell with public opinion. And, it is very clear to me that Ugandans are acting stupidly.

I dont parse words. I know what I am saying. It is actually painful for me to remember that I am making a correct though painful observation. We are playing the buffoon, infront of the whole world. And, this time, it is a collective buffonery.

Hereis one guy,I believe he is actually a supporter of Ssempa who has come once to flame me on the blog. He is Ugandan. And evangelical Christian. For some reasons, he does not support the bill. For biblical, not 'secular' reasons. Funny thing, he has been very silent for a long while! Oh, by the way, he dares to say that many people in the 'diaspora' have not understood the bill. Funny comment, a talking point of Ssempa. Kind of very, very funny, given the fact that the bill is out there circulating. Word for word as  a public document. Well...!

Buturo is very busy fighting graft these days. When he is not fighting Homosexuality, and basking in the new found fame of Uganda. But, this is kind of becoming too clear a diversion. I mean, the 'anti-homosexuality bill.' In the Daily Monitor, someone dares to take them on.

Why govt is concerned with gays and not corruption

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Why does the government and Parliament find the Anti-Homosexual Bill more of a priority than the electoral bills and other governance issues? Already homosexuality is a criminal offence as a “crime against nature” in the Penal Code and marriage is defined in the Constitution as between man and woman. The life and death sentences introduced in the new Bill are to impress an external constituency critical for regime survival.

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Ugandan urgent concerns that should be addressed are elimination of day-light robbery and waste of public resources, poverty, poor service delivery, unemployment of the youth and provision of clean water, quality education, health services and roads. The time spent on virginity, abstinence (by people not known for their continence) and of late, anti-homosexuality, is just diversionary (okugumaaza) to facilitate the continuation of unrestrained gorging on State resources.   

I applaud the writer's analysis, though not when he comforts me that 'sentences are not carried out' No thank you. I will not take that 'comfort'!

Another Ugandan writer examines the Bahati-Museveni connection. It is actually Bahati who is the fall guy. Poor scape goat. But, the real homophobe? His Excellency the President.

Outside the country, here is a pretty good summary and analysis of what has been happening, and what happened before. Some people are really clued in into this. If Uganda Executes Gays, Will American Christians be Complicit? It is still a pretty huge shock for those who come into contact with the bill, and then the homophobia in the country. I guess I am too used to both. The bill, well, it is out there genocidal. And, you have to read it to believe that. But, that is un-ardoned truth. The homophobia? Well, you can check it out on facebook. Or, like this person found out, on those who were following them, on Twitter. Is kind of a weird thing. Really. The unthinking hate Ugandans have for gay people.

But, lets not dwell on that.

Just past half seven at the moment. Hearing a cock crow. Light out there. Planning a lazy day for myself. Be good, all out there.

gug

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Just adding this on,


I saw this article from UNAIDS. I think it is diplo-speech, like Hillary Clinton's. But, UNAIDS is kind of pointing a finger at Uganda, again without mentioning the country. Of course, UNAIDS cannot call my beloved Uganda stupid. That right is reserved for me.


Here is the World AIDS Day Release from UNAIDS

Laws That Criminalize Groups And Behaviours Threaten To Jeopardize Universal Access To HIV Prevention, Treatment, Care And Support

Main Category: HIV / AIDS

Article Date: 02 Dec 2009 - 0:00 PST

On World AIDS Day, as we reflect on universal access and human rights, UNAIDS calls on governments to refrain from passing criminal laws that fuel discrimination, prevent effective national responses to HIV and violate human rights.

2009 has seen some important advances in creating a legal environment conducive for HIV prevention, especially among one of the most affected groups, men who have sex with men, most notably in the Delhi High Court decision to strike down the anti-sodomy law in India.

UNAIDS calls for governments to refrain from laws that criminalize men who have sex with men, lesbians, and transgender people, as well as those that apply criminal penalties for "promotion or recognition" of such behaviour or failing to report such behaviour to the police. These laws, which are in place or are now being considered in some countries, pose a serious threat to human rights and risk to undermine effective responses to the HIV epidemic.

"The gay community has historically been at the forefront of the global AIDS response. As a social movement, the gay community changed AIDS from simply another disease to an issue of justice, dignity, security, and human rights," said Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS. "In my view, any attack on homosexuality is an attack on the all aspects of the AIDS response and a set-back to reaching universal access goals."

In the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS (2001), adopted by all United Nations Member States, Governments committed to address the needs of those at risk of infection based on sexual practices. In the Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS (2006), Governments reiterated their commitment to support the full and active participation of vulnerable groups and to eliminate all forms of discrimination against them while respecting their privacy and confidentiality. All UN Member States also committed to promote a social and legal environment that is supportive of safe and voluntary disclosure of HIV status.

UNAIDS supports countries and communities to achieve these commitments as essential to reach universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support and to achieve Millennium Development Goal 6-to halt and begin to reverse the HIV epidemic by 2015. Achieving these goals will not be possible where discrimination and criminalization continues against people living with HIV, men who have sex with men, lesbians, and transgender people.

The human rights of people living with HIV, men who have sex with men, lesbians and transgender people must be fully respected. Where they have been able to access HIV information, prevention and treatment and avoid discrimination, these populations have become a force for health and community empowerment. Countries which protect men who have sex with men from discrimination tend to have significantly greater access to HIV prevention services than in countries where no such protection exists.

Presently 80 countries penalize homosexuality. UNAIDS calls for all governments to protect their citizens from discrimination, denial of health care, harassment, or violence based on health status or sexual orientation and gender identity.

Source

UNAIDS