Rambling thoughts

If Christians do take up this bill with the fervour that it is due, I will cease to think so badly of Christianity.

I am afraid, for me, Roman Catholicism is lost. It is not in my nature to be taught what to think. I resent that. Too independent…

But, when a person, a Christian, especially one who is not part of the ‘homosexual agenda’ takes up this.... Well, I stop to listen. Because it is something that makes me believe that the essential ideals of Christianity are truly good.

Not like Rick Warren did. Dissociating himself from Ssempa. That is what a politician is. And, hopefully, a Christian is not at heart a politician. Criticism from an unbeliever! Though, I can of tend to think Warren was a bit embarrassed, as was Ssempa, at how abruptly that relationship ended. Well, that is politics…!

But, not to be distracted, here are some fighting words. Quoted here, with similar nuances, and written here.

"Let me make this clear:

I don’t care how conservative your theological belief system is, killing people or imprisoning them for being gay or lesbian is wrong and should never, ever happen.

Notwithstanding, according to the bill, I, as a straight person, would also be imprisoned if I don’t turn in gays and lesbians to the Ugandan government.

....Please spread the word. No Christian (or person in general) should ever let this happen on our watch."

As for governments criticizing the bill.

Governments are supposed to be servants of the people. Yeah, democracy is great, isn’t it? Except in backwaters like Uganda where it is being used to legally kill a minority. I had forgotten…. Same thing happened in Rwanda. And in Nazi Germany.

Our backwater is not that isolated! At least not in ideaology.

Canada, the government, seems to have joined the US, France, Britain. The Anglican Church of Canada didn’t mince words, demanding that their Ugandan brothers condemn the bill. When they were amongst the most vociferous supporters, before pressure made them become ‘voiceless.’

It has become an issue at the CHOGM meeting. Museveni is chairing the meet. And, Stephen Lewis took umbrage at that. It was taken up by the media. Of course.

Human Rights groups?

They are loud. They are frank. And, they are fearless. Unfortunately, they cry wolf so much that they are not listened too that much. But, they are listened to…!

Now, like any good citizen, I dont think good of the thinking capacity of 'government'. But, one has to pose and wonder, how did this coalition of consensus come to come about?

Ssempa will say, and believe, that it is because of the 'Homosexual Agenda' They are big. They are strong. They are mighty. Let us stamp them out from Uganda.

But, I will beg to differ. I cannot lie to myself about the extent of my strengths. Even enemies like Ssempa say that to rally the unthinking troops.

Why have we been able to?

Because the Bill, the Bahati, Anti-Homosexuality Bill itself is such a monstrosity that no person who reads it will stop themselves from a righteous anger.

Funny, but our strongest recruiting factor is the Bill. Have you read it? Here! No. It is not good reading. So, brace yourself. But, you will find lots of good, Christian, moral intentions.

Sighhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!

gug

Kitchen Sink Politics.

It does work, kitchen sink politics. In a do or die situation, some people will risk all, and throw the sink too. And it does work. Ask Hillary, the new comeback kid in the democratic party nomination race in the US.

Same thing here, in LGBTI politics.

True, there are many of us, with differing views. Some are fired up and ready to go. With lots of thought and planning and strategies, on how to do everything, from charismatic speech to political infighting. Others are more cautious. Some have much to lose, and others less to lose. There are those who seem to think that gay rights are just a fun way of doing everything else.

Had a lively argument yesterday. Me and my mate.

Was about the friend who was outed, and he is shoaling up his closet with his bare hands. When should one stand up and say, enough is enough. I am gay, like it or not, I am gay? Is it the point when one is being forced into marriage? Another friend did get married, and everyone is happy, but he is not. So he is planning to get out of the marriage. With a child on the way.

The world is not perfect, so if we want to force it into perfect lines, we will end up being more hurt, than helped.

Beautiful morning in Kampala. Overcast, but a kind of gentle coolness after the dry heat yesterday. In the morning rush hour, one may be distracted. Too much rushing going around. Everyone focused, inward turned, to office, or school, or the business of the morning. Those who come early to the city, the workers with morning reporting hours, they are the ones on the road. Later on, the shop workers and street hangers on report. Shops in Kampala open about 10-11.

Beautiful Kampala.

The potholes have returned, post-CHOGM. It was expected. They were supposedly repaired ‘temporarily’ to last 2 years, but they have lasted 3 months. So, one has to revise the internal pothole map of Kampala. (Joke; in Kampala, only a drunk drives in a straight line. You have to mind the pots and holes in the road.)

Sunlight is now making a play on the roofs and roads and trees. A beautiful day, full of promise.
Have a nice day.

GayUganda

Uganda and the Ebola outbreak.

Did Uganda cover up the Ebola outbreak because of the Chogm meeting? Interesting, and maybe more so because it is the letters to newspapers which are raising the question.

Suspicious that editors are allowing the question to be published. Smell of a scandal. And of course the red rug does not shy away from such juicy tid bits. Not that it will get me to buy it.

-----

Explain Ebola silence

The Ministy of Health should explain why it took so long to confirm

that the current hemorragic illness in northwestern Uganda is Ebola.

These cases were first presented in August, 4 months ago!

There was a documented outbreak of Ebola in DR Congo in the middle of

this year. So Ebola must have been high on the list of suspects for

this current outbreak. I hope the official announcement of this

outbreak was not politically delayed so as not to disrupt Chogm.

Concerned citizen

--------

EBOLA Was Kept Secret Because Of CHOGM

Details are emerging which suggest that the deadly Ebola virus that

hit Bundibugyo was identified earlier but was kept secret for fear of

jeopardising the visit of Queen Elizabeth II and the Commonwealth

summit. In the week preceding the summit and the state visit of the

Queen, there were media reports quoting medical authorities talking

about 'a mysterious disease' that...

------

Was it mere coincidence?

EDITOR--Is it purely coincidental that Ebola was finally diagnosed

after raging for almost four months within days of the end of the

Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting? I wonder how many Ugandan

lives might have been saved!

Roger Green

-------

Again it is the medics who are getting sick, though there is some panic in the west.

Guess now that it is known, it will be controlled. But interesting question, was the outbreak covered up?

gug

Post Chogm Kampala

I’m back.

Seems like I have been away. Missing my cyber buddies, all. No, I had not travelled, but was caught up with work details. You know, end of year. That means reports to write, plans to make, and all the other miscellaneous things. I was caught up in that. Lost some weekends’ rest to them, and missed going out. Decided to update with poems.

Interesting. Writing, I like. But it is easier to write a poem. Momentary inspiration. Just stop what you are doing, and pen it down. Spontaneous, yes. Flash of the moment kind of thing. Prose, one sits, and plans, and writes. Even when it is something as easy as what has been happening to me.

Beat a deadline this morning. Afterwards, I, we celebrated. I decided to hit town. Just to go without the cloud of deadlines to beat and look at the city. Post Chogm Kampala.

During Chogm I was occupied with my worries. After Chogm, I found that I had to beat the deadline, and that consumed me. Seems as if I have been walking around eyes open only to my problems.

The city. Kampala.

She has been cleaned, very prettily. And, surprise, surprise, it has lasted to a week post Chogm. The grass is green, the streets downtown are clean, and the workers still come, and the bright yellow City Council dustbins chained to the light posts are still there. Chained.

There are some things which are the same. Traffic. Atrocious, as ever. Correction, as it has been for this year. The weather.

Beautiful Kampala weather. In the morning the sun was out without a wisp of cloud in the blue sky. By noon it was baking hot. The sun high, blistering, grilling. Pulling every drop of sweat from my body. I have taken to walking around with a bottle of water. Like a tourist!!! Apparently some thinks it is cool. Others frown at my breaking the custom not to walk while eating or drinking. But it is very comfortable, being able to take a swig when necessary. Water is lukewarm, but freshening. And I wont mind the odd looks.

By the afternoon, I was tired. To the New Taxi park. As chaotic as ever. Maybe more. Seems it is a no go area around noon. Too many of the mini buses trying to get in, and out of the enclosure. It is worse later in the evening. Commuting is becoming a real pain. Maybe I will take up footing. A lot healthier, doctors say.

By the time I got home, the weather has changed. Wind, from the lake, it has brought up the clouds. There is a threat, a scent, and taste of rain on the wind. In the stirring of the leaves.

I am no longer sure of the seasons, seems it is always beautiful. But these days, we have been receiving more than the usual sun. Less rain. The watercourses have dried up. No more flooding, and, the rivers are lower. Maybe we are in the dry season.

But it still smells like rain is on the way, despite the hot sun that was in the morning.

Beautiful Kampala. As ever. Its weather is the irritating, beautiful mix of the very predictable, and unpredictable. And it is home.

GayUganda

SEXUAL MINORITIES UGANDA (SMUG) Commonswealth Peoples’ Space, Kampala 2007 REPORT

P.O.BOX 70208,CT-KAMPALA

TEL: +256 312 296 858

Email:

info@.sexualminoritiesuganda.org

SEXUAL MINORITIES UGANDA (SMUG)

Commonswealth Peoples’ Space, Kampala 2007 REPORT

In the event of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM 2007 UGANDA) Sexual Minorities Uganda -SMUG lobbied for an opportunity to participate and were invited by British Council to the Commonwealth Peoples’ Space (an event of CHOGM) scheduled for Friday November 24, 2007. SMUG invited representatives from Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya (GALCK) and Horizon Community Association (HOCA) and other LGBTI people to join us in this space.

Today East African homosexuals came in peace to CHOGM to speak, as citizens of the Commonwealth. Ugandan and Kenyan lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) speakers scheduled to address the public at the CHOGM Peoples’ Space, Speaker’s Corner.

The Peoples’ Space was designed to provide opportunities to share in the diversity and richness of the Commonwealth people and was specifically designated as a space open to all people to interact and influence social change.

Although we were scheduled for Friday, SMUG received another invitation to a film festival from a non-LGBT film organisation in Kampala, Amakula. On Thursday November 23, 2007 we attended the two films addressing homosexual issues and later had a decent and lively discussion/debate between LGBTI people and the public present including two key religious people. The tent was so packed that other interested or curious people peeped over shoulders.

Friday November 24, 2007 16:30 was meant to be thee day for East African sexual minorities. We walked in at 12:45 our speakers clad in black T. Shirt with the words “Sexual Minorities Uganda Embraces CHOGM”. We were this early because we wanted to acquaint ourselves with the space before our presentation. In the crowds were some elements that identified us because of the T-shirts and messages on them. As we walked to claim safe space, we ran into a prominent anti-gay pastor- Martin Ssempa who heads the Inter-Faith Rainbow Coalition against Homosexuality. He said “hello” and hell broke loose. In less than 5 minutes we were surrounded by people who shouted and ridiculed us as cameras flickered and recorders pointed at us. An elderly woman asked; “Would you be here today had your mother been a lesbian…” Pastor Ssempa gave a devilish smile as other twentysomethings of his brigade from Makerere University yelled and shouted; “You don’t deserve to be on earth, not here!! Lesbians, lesbians… Where is security? Police, security take them away and lock them up…”

LGBTI front-liner stands up to Pastor Martin Ssempa

Next thing the manager of the space one Anne pulled the Co-chairperson of SMUG Julian Pepe away and took her to the reception to only receive the bad news from organizers.

“We’re sorry but the programme has changed. You had your time yesterday so you can’t proceed as planned because you’re attracting a lot of attention and you will divert the people from Prince Charles who is coming in at 15:00...” the organizers chorused.

Pepe was shocked and disheartened; “Why didn’t you communicate? How do you expect me to tell my people that we have come for nothing...?” She was given a copy of the programme and our presentation was not there. With a heavy heart she went and pulled Victor out of the mammoth crowd and gave her the bad news. Before we knew it, we were being escorted out by both plain clothed and uniformed security. We felt safe being escorted by them because the same plain clothed security had protected us the day before, until we approached the exit that their tone changed. They gave us 10 minutes to leave the premises of the Peoples’ Space. That’s when we took this space outside and made it ours. There was exchange between the security guards outside and members of SMUG and GALCK. Whoever was identified inside was immediately thrown out. Kasha was literally held by the arms by two guards and thrown out.

While outside, we collectively demanded for the meaning of “Peoples’ Space”.

Victor Juliet Mukasa the former chairperson of SMUG told those who felt they could not handle the waiting and protest, to leave immediately. Those who took the space outside were- Nikki Mawanda, Kasha Jacqueline, Georgina, Pouline Kimani, Leenah Najib, Victor J. Mukasa, Maniriho Emma and Julian Pepe. We made it clear that unless we were let in or given a proper explanation, we were not leaving. Some of us sat down in protest as others made phone calls to allies like Amnesty International, IGLHRC, East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders, etc. Some of our members who stayed inside were; Frank Mugisha co-chairperson SMUG, Sheila, Brian, Naome (HOCA), Gerald, Sandra, Sharifah, Thomas and others were ridiculed. Some members of Amakula were locked out too for speaking to us. Amakula showcases African cinema. It is known for its celebration of African talent, professionalism, human diversity, and creativity. The police continued their aggressive affront.

Pepe was warned by police for taking pictures. In a split second, Victor was pushed to the ground and kicked to get up by one of the uniformed police and Alice Smits the Co-ordinator of Amakula Film Festival was grabbed by the throat for filming us.

“They threw me down,” Victor said bitterly, “Kasha who came back to help me up, faced it rough. She was caned on the back for doing so.” she stood her ground and declared: “I am not moving a single step from this place”.

“6 policemen in uniform came to us saying that they had orders from higher authorities that we should leave the place immediately. I told them they had no right to violate our rights to be in this space.” Agitated Georgina (a member of Queer Youth Uganda) noted.

Kasha; “This is crazy! The word ‘people’ officially lost meaning today. They’re plainly saying we’re not people”

Pouline from GALCK was disgusted; “Police brutality, public discrimination of any individual is unconstitutional. My experience at the people’s space clearly shows the need for our governments to support explicit fundamental human rights for all. Peoples Space should have had the unsaid quote ‘out of bound for African homosexuals’”

Frank Mugisha co-chairperson of SMUG who managed to get in had this to say; “I was in there, but someone came and whispered over my shoulder that I better leave because I’m being looked for. I did just that and joined you out here. Paul and I moved around looking for international press to inform them of what was happening to LGBTI people in this space.” Paul a medic who cares about our issues said he was pointed at and called a lesbian.

“One of the top security officials in plain clothes came and stopped them from beating us up. Those who were violent were immediately taken away and others brought to keep around us” Victor added.

“On Thursday, this same group was part of a discussion about homosexual rights after a film screening about homosexuality and discrimination. Yesterday the debate was heated, but there were no fights. It was really good,” Alice Smits said. “It was the first time a real debate about homosexuality happened in Uganda.”

Naome of HOCA said; “Over the years our society has been subjected to diversity, the greatest of all being the violation of fundamental human rights at CHOGM, even with the presence of numerous heads of States. LGBTI people were denied the right of being with others at the forum that they so-called ‘Peoples’ Space’…”

The most aggressive policeman was identified as Eric Ociti. Those who violated us were immediately taken off the scene. We remained standing outside the gate in quiet protest, waiting to be allowed back in to deliver our speeches. What was supposed to be one of the greatest moments in our struggle became a disappointment. We were there for a total of seven hours, bitterly disappointed and embarrassed. Adding to the discrimination and violence carried out by police at the Peoples’ Space was an affront to basic human rights in Uganda

Both homosexuals and straight Ugandans are increasingly becoming fed up with the violence and discrimination being directed toward people of different sexual orientations and minorities in this country. Heterosexual Ugandans have begun to speak out against such police brutality, stating that they will not tolerate any kind of violence against another human being, regardless of their sexual orientation.

After futile attempts to secure entrance, Pepe went to one of the media houses- The Daily Monitor, Georgina and Victor also did exclusive interviews with The New Vision newspaper to have these violations exposed. But were told that the articles would not be out immediately.

On a lighter note; the term homosexual was not in use this day. Whoever the public suspected to be homosexual was called a lesbian. These people need to be enlightened.

Report prepared by:

Julian Pepe

Co-chairperson

Sexual Minorities Uganda- SMUG

Ugandan Homosexuals Refused Space to Speak at CHOGM Today

Fri Nov 23, 2007 12:35 pm (PST)

For Release to Press

____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ ________

UGANDAN HOMOSEXUALS REFUSED SPACE TO SPEAK AT CHOGM TODAY

Today East African homosexuals came in peace to CHOGM to speak and were met by violent police officers. Ugandan and Kenyan lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) speakers scheduled to give their addresses at the CHOGM Speaker’s Corner in Uganda today left after facing violence from the police and waiting for seven hours to be givenentrance to the People’s Space.

The People’s Space was designed “to provide opportunities to share in the diversity and richness of the Commonwealth people” and was specifically designated as a space open to all people. It was intended to give people “renewed energy to facilitate social changewith a clear sense of building the future together.” The discrimination and violence carried out by police at the People’s Space today is an affront to basic human rights in Uganda.

Amakula, a non-LGBT film organisation in Kampala also faced discrimination for showing a film that discussed homosexuality. Amakula showcases African cinema, “bringing filmmakers together to help create an inspiring and conducive environment for cinema.” The organisation is known for its celebration of African talent, professionalism, human diversity, and creativity. After hosting an LGBT-themed film yesterday at CHOGM that sparked hot debate across the nation, two members of Amakula were thrown out of the People’s Space today.

A non-LGBT related percussion group scheduled to perform at CHOGM has been cancelled because its performance was arranged by Amakula. Discrimination against a person because of any God-given attribute, such as sex, race, or sexual orientation, is both against the law in Uganda and a disgrace to humanity. It is love, not hatred that God commands.

The words of declaration stating this message that were prepared so diligently by the LGBT Ugandan and Kenyan representatives were not able to be heard. Instead, police threw them out of the People’s Space and refused to allow them to enter again.

The Ugandan police displayed embarrassingly inhuman and unprofessional behaviour, attacking the LGBT speakers and breaking sticks from trees in preparation for greater harm to the speakers. The LGBT speakers entered the People’s Space to prepare for the addresses they were scheduled to give according to the programme. Police began forcibly removing them. Victor Juliet Mukasa, a Ugandan LGBT Human Rights Defender stood her ground, declaring, “I am not moving a single step from this place.” The police continued their aggressive affront.

“They threw me down. Those who came back to help me from the ground faced it tough. One person was caned for doing so.” Both homosexuals and straight Ugandans are increasingly becoming fed up with the violence and discrimination being directed toward people of different sexual orientations. Heterosexual Ugandans have begun to speak out against such police brutality, stating that they will not tolerate any kind of violence against another human being, regardless of their sexual orientation.

The LGBT speakers remained standing outside the gate in quiet protest, waiting to be allowed back in to deliver their speeches. They were there for a total of seven hours. What was supposed to be one of the greatest fora for free speech has become a disappointment and an embarrassing case of discrimination for Uganda.

For more information contact:

Julian Pepe, Co-Chairperson of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG): +256

312 294 859 or info@sexualminoriti esuganda. org

Victor Juliet Mukasa, Ugandan LGBT Human Rights Defender: +256 753 116

034 or julie.mukasa@ gmail.com

Alice, Amakula: amakulakampala@ yahoo.com

I was there.

Apparently gay men were not allowed. Not even gay women, because a police officer came and looked us over and asked one of us who ‘looked’ like a lesbian whether she was. She denied of course. Indignantly.

Now, I am jumping the gun.

I have written about the People’s Space. Organised by the British Council at CHOGM. I also commented about the fact that yesterday, some of us were there. And did talk up when a bishop was going on with some homophobic remarks. That was yesterday, and I was not there. But today I was there, and we kuchus were not supposed to be there.

Started like this, from what I could gather.

The kuchus were there early. Hotel Africana, near the Centenary Park. A very beautiful day. No rain, overcast in the afternoon, meant the sun wasn’t so fierce. But the park is a very nice tree shaded area, it would not have mattered. The area which housed the ‘People’s Space’ was enclosed.

The kuchus entered. They didn’t know that their arch-nemesis in Uganda, Pastor Ssempa, (yesterday he was making noises about a ‘secret British’ plot to give the homosexuals space), had a plan in place. Members of the Interfaith Rainbow Coalition Against Homosexuality were already there. They provoked an argument. Very easy when it is Pastor Ssempa against Julie Victor Mukasa. And it worked. When voices were raised, the police moved in. A little chat, and the ‘lesbians’ were chucked out of the ‘People’s Space’. That was about the time that this gay man entered.

I entered and wandered around. Charming area. Lots of things to see.

Then I got to the area where some of the guys were seated. Where are the others? Gloomy faces only. I was told the story.

I went to see for myself. The kuchus were at the entrance. Drawing eyes, and talking. I determined to go and tell them to use the other entrance. I didn’t want to talk to them within the hearing of the security guard nearby, so I started wandering backwards. There was a (an evil) chuckle from someone.

I turned. The devil incarnate.

I am sorry, but I do not like this guy. Pastor Ssempa. He was talking to a group of other guys, gloating. Literally. Because the kuchus had been forced out of the space. I listened, and needless to say, my dislike skyrocketed. He had engineered the whole thing. They had planned to have the kuchus thrown out. They were now gloating about the fact that they had succeded so stupendously. No kuchus would talk. No one would force them to hear talk about the homosexuals.

I was horrified. And determined that the guys should come back in.

My first thought was to warn the others. It had been a plot, and it had succeded. I warned as many kuchus as I could find. Then I went to mission rescue the kuchus outside. Had for support one of the Co-chairs of Sexual Minorities Uganda. We wanted the press to get in into the act. We informed those that we could. But apparently, with the Prince of Wales soon appearing on the scene, my major concern was a bug, a minor thing. Kuchus had been thrown out, so what.

I decided to go ahead. The area is supposed to be free, and controlled by the British Council. So I looked for someone to help there. Stonewalls. Stonewalled. The bureaucracy could not be worked for avowed homosexuals. They would get in, people told me unsympathetically.

I was frustrated.

They are supposed to present some speeches, I said.

I moved towards the gate, to talk to them. As soon as they saw me, the Kuchus themselves told me not to be seen with them. I took the hint, and observed from the side. There was a fracas. Some of the Police Constables trying to chase them away. The girls shouted at them. Stood their ground. They said they were gay, yes, but they also had a right to get into the People’s Space. That they also wanted to talk.

Not in plan for the officiating officials. They decided to manhandle them away. Shouts. Raised voices.

The guys inside the enclosure suddenly rushed towards the fence. They were egging the policemen on. Let them beat the lesbians. Let them chuck them out. The nerve.

I listened in horror. Realised that all these guys were actually members of Ssempa’s church. They had come with the express intention of preventing homosexuals from accessing the space. By hook or crook, and they succeded. They had some who seemed to be their leaders. They ordered some of the others back, that everything was under control.

The policemen started man handling the guys and gals. This of course drew the press. Where my pleas for a breaking news chance were ignored so utterly, the fracas drew them. And that is when I realised that anyone talking to them was being denied entrance. One mzungu woman, (a reporter?) was pulled and she was very loud in her indignation. How could the police do that!

That was about the time that the police realised that they had turned it into a spectacle and the press was recording. Cameras were rolling. They stopped trying to manhandle the kuchus out. They were allowed to sit, near the entrance. The eggers on realised that the police would not force these outcasts out of here. Not as they wanted. Some of their leaders ordered them back. And the press went ahead to listen to the Kuchus’s story.

I went back to sit down, in the tent where the other guys had been forced out. A friend went about 30 minutes later to check on the situation. Told us that we were safer inside than out. That Pastor Ssempa’s goons and the police were around our Kuchu friends.

Pastor Ssempa’s goons. Hitler’s Brown shirts. So much hate and venom from ‘professional Christians’.

We sat on.

It was then that a police officer, a police woman came to check us over. Wondered who of us was a lesbian. It was written on none of our faces. She saw a likely candidate, and called her out. The lady was indignant of course.

The police woman went away. We immediately asked for the details, which were nicely relayed. Someone commented that it seemed the lesbians were the most feared of all of us kuchus.

Prince Charles came. Yeah, saw the guy. Heard the ‘few remarks’ and we all did not even stand to greet him. I asked the others whether this was a sit-down strike. They were still glum.

You know, it is galling. The injustice of it when you are considered so evil that even the police will work in concert with those who illegally work against you. Deny you rights to free speech, to meeting, and are louded because they do so under the guise of religion and morality.

When we left, we talked to Kuchus outside. They were still angry, giving interviews to all and sundry. They were hoping to embarrass the police more into allowing them inside. They did not, apparently.

Did Pastor Ssempa and his goons win? No. I was there. I am gay. I am a kuchu. And we are alive another day.

GayUganda

The Rainbow Coalition Against Homosexuality

I can believe this. It is very believable, of the character of the person, and the country in which it was uttered, and the place.
Chogm is a very weird space. Some countries are being expelled from the Commonwealth because they are not democratic. Uganda is demonstrating her democratic credentials.
Homosexuals have been allowed to talk. So also the anti-gay brigade. The Inter-Faith Rainbow Coalition Against Homosexuality. Pastor Martin Ssempa. Reputedly an AIDS activist. They are protesting that the Kuchus have been given a space to talk. Everyone in Uganda has rights. Except Gay Ugandans.

Check out what he thinks by following the link.

Pastor Martin Ssempa, an anti-gay activist said: “If Uganda is leading in the fight against HIV/AIDS, it should do the same to fight homosexuality.”
He accused the organisers of the Commonwealth People’s Space at Hotel Africana, for secretly creating a platform for homosexual groups.

The guy is a very good politician. Sooner, rather than later, god is going to ask him to follow political er, orders. I have prophesied.

GayUganda

Ready for CHOGM

It has sneaked up on me. Chogm.
It’s funny how the world moves even when we are still. I have been very concerned with ‘Kuchu’ affairs. What is happening, what we plan to happen, what the campaign has been doing. I have taken off time to write in the blog my frustrations, desires and hopes. At the periphery of my consciousness has been the awareness that Chogm was coming. The roads in the city have been ripped up and mended. The buildings have been repainted. The few times that I have taken the time to notice what has been happening outside of me, I have noticed. But it seems not enough.
Chogm is the Commonwealth Head of Government Meeting. It happens once in two years. It is political. It is a social occasion. Our president had this vision that it should happen in Uganda, and he has poured his energy into it. And it is happening. The Queen, as head of the Commonwealth, has landed, and Ugandans are ready.
I took a walk in the city, just to look at what has been done.
It is a lot. Yes, I am usually critical of the lack of planning that happens consistently. A lot of money has been poured into this meeting. And it has been poured into Kampala, the capital. It is ridiculous thing that little has happened of government programs outside the capital for months. The Treasury is effectively bankrupt, till the next financial year.
But Kampala has been prettied up. And it shows.
We are ready for Chogm. That was the rallying call. To get ready for Chogm. And the populace, at least in Kampala, have taken note of it. Today most decided to stay safely at home. The traffic in the last few days has been horrible. But today, it has been light. Very light.
The streets are clean. That is amazing for this city. The roads are shining with the newly installed lights. Ugandans love window dressing. We have a huge problem with an insufficiency of electric power. We have scheduled blackouts, regularly. But not during Chogm. And we have added onto the grid a lot of new street lights, into every nook and corner. It looks beautiful, I must say.
Yet it is wasteful. This is going to cause more strain on the electric grid. Means more scheduled power cuts, after Chogm.
People are happy. 3 holidays declared in the middle of a working week. (Apparently so that we can sit back at home and watch the festivities on TV. Actually to rid the city of cars that had gridlocked roads the last few days.) And down town looks prettier than I have ever seen it in my life. A flower in bloom, well tended, and it is during the next few days that it is going to be at its most alluring.
We have planned a lot for it. Freedom is when we can take it. And who is going to abuse us when we talk about our sexuality at the People’s Forum? So, we shall.
And we have published books, to give to the Delegates. ‘Homosexuality; Perspectives from Uganda’ edited by Dr Sylvia Tamale. Feminist, human rights activist, and of course, by her detractors, the leading proponent of homosexuality in Uganda.
And we used the cover of this meeting to blow our own closet wide open.
Has it been worth it?
I must say, for the LGBTI community in Uganda, we have been ready for CHOGM. We have challenged the status quo, and despite the deafening roar from the rest of the community for us to shut the hell up, we have managed to have our voice heard.
Viva to all the Kuchus in Uganda.
And I hope you attend the People’s forum at Hotel Africana.

GayUganda

CHOGM days

Man’s life’s a punny detail,
in the huge grand plan;
a drop of water in the ocean,
a breeze to stir a leaf in a gale.


My world, Kampala is convulsed in Chogm. The meeting has started.
Correction. The meeting is starting today. But for most people in Kampala, it started a few days ago, when they realised that it would be almost impossible to come into town easily when the meeting was ongoing.
So, the roads have been clear of traffic. A couple of public holidays were declared, and embraced by those who could. Curiously, the president decided that the people who he controls least, the business people, should open their shops. While the civil servants and buying public relaxed at home and out of the city.
My world, I said, but it seems that I have been otherwise employed. It is like a dream that I am passing through. Knowing that it is, that the whole of my world is deep in the worship of that almost deity, the fabled Queen of England, alive and walking in the flesh the soil of Uganda.
We have a deep seated reverence of royalty. The Kabaka of Buganda had a demi-god status. Literally, to greet him, his loyal subjects lay down on the ground so that he stepped on them. If he so willed. He had the power of life and death, at the blink of his royal eye.
The other kings were not much worse. The Iguru of Bunyoro is still very much a god in the eyes of his people. So is the Kyabazinga of Busoga. A fracas was caused when his photo was put on one of the Chogm billboards. The guy had possed for the pic, but his people were horrified at the act of lesse majeste. It is curious. The Queen of England has her face plastered on the streets of Kampala. But the Kabaka of Buganda, the Royal Majesty in whose kingdom she is at the moment, cannot have his august face so defamed. It would be deeply insulting to Buganda royalists!
A very interesting world that I live in.


GayUganda

Kampala Nov 2007

Why do I write? I don't know. Maybe it is because there is so much happening. Much that we consider incosequential. When I saw the small birds eating grass seed on my lawn, I just felt like writing that down. A poem. Not realy a celebration of the excellence of language. But a trial, an attempt, to take a snap shot of that which is and remember it. To freeze it.
My lover complained that the lawn was too bushy. So it was trimmed. But I am afraid my little birds will not return. The table has been removed, the dishes packed away clean.

I have been walking through Kampala. I must say I was sceptical of all these preparations for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting (Chogm), but they seem to have transformed the city a bit.

As I entered my place of work, I thought I must write down something to remember this.
Not great poetry. Forgive me. But it is a reflection of the imperfect perception of my very human eyes and mind.



Kampala is prim and primed,
-ready for Chogm;
the roads are washed clean,
(though the rains remain heavy),
the windows are dressed,
the fires are lit,
and the streets match with light.


A bride, Kampala is-
a bride plumped and ready;
the smile flashy blinding,
the face chisel fashioned,
mascara running in place.


But the groom in waiting-
is a strange one this groom.
Ago she ruled here,
of now, only in name;
ago, of her grandma,
when grandma empress was,
the god-man (kabaka) ruler,
sent grandma empress a letter;


(they say it was for hand of empress;
that was lost in translation),
invitation to visit,
visitor turned protector,
till 45 years gone-
the land was left returned.


Grandchild comes back in fancy-
turned to empress without lands;
though empire still now stands,
and Uganda is but a far flung jewel.


The pearl’s already shining,
the luster burnished and braised,
all the light reflecting,
in blinding smile of pride.


Never before has she shone so,
maybe this bride will shine again;
but of now, she shines, Kampala shines,
though the valleys hide her muddy hems,
she smiles, smiles the bride Kampala,
awaiting the groom empress,
In all her glittering fancy and joyful pride,
Kampala’s ready for Chogm.



(c) GayUganda

Absurdities

Uganda.

A land of interesting absurdities. Sometimes I cannot believe that I can zoom from an internet age to a pre-historic age, all in the same country. It is my country. I would not change it for any other, but I cannot close my eyes to what is!

We have a madman called Kony who for 20 years or so has been leading an armed resistance in the northern part of the country. He wants to establish a society that is based on the Ten Commandments. He calls it the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). For that reason he has waged a war of fear, and naked terror. Cutting off the noses and lips of people, if he does not kill them outright. His own people. Abducting children, to turn them into child soldiers to swell his ranks. Others for his sex slaves. He has established a virtual kingdom where he is the absolute ruler.

We have been having an absurdly stupid peace process going on. Absurd because it has been on and off for more than a year. Yet good because in that year, for the first time in more than ten years, there has been a relative peace in the north of the country. Children have been able to go back to school. Those who were displaced in the camps have returned home. Children no longer trek to Gulu to sleep, fearing abduction if they stay at home.

In the last week we learnt that he apparently had some differences with his second in command, and third in command, maybe. The two underlings seemed not to have survived the clash with the master. He has appointed others. What does it mean for the peace process?

Sometimes it bothers me how cheap life, our lives seem. Relative to the whole large world out there.

In Kampala, we are preparing for that Commonwealth meeting. CHOGM. I am heartily sick of the preparations.

Yet I cannot help but think of the different priorities which we all have, though in the same country. I want the war in the north to end, conclusively, permanently. So do most Ugandans. But at the moment, we are preparing for a party, and we cannot but be distracted by the coming festivities. The whole country is involved.

And the situation in the Kony Camps just on the other side of the border is (maybe) bad.

We human beings are an absurd lot. Very illogical. The things which concern us differ, and they concern us for a very short time. Short attention span!

I am more concerned by the traffic jams, the problems getting home after work, by how bad the city will be disrupted during the 3 days of the meeting. The Kony thing is at the periphery of my thoughts. I know the madman is really mad, but since he is so far away, I would rather be concerned by the more immediate problems of food in my stomach!

GayUganda

In-law; Preparations

Even I could feel the note of panic in my last post. I was. Panicked.

I know, I shouldn’t be. But I just cannot help it.

Monday I woke up early. I do have too much time on my hands, now. So I have to plan it. Don’t want to waste all this beautiful free time.

First, reading some poetry. Getting lost in the world of language, and expression, and beauty. Then I had promised myself to do some reading for something that I have to push myself to do. I did. Adequately, I think.

Then I was supposed to do that which has been on my mind. Preparations. For the in-law. I rolled up my sleeves, changed clothes first, and then got down to it. Scrubbing, cleaning, dusting, wiping. You know the expression ‘nooks and crannies’? You do not have to take out a dictionary. Crannies, that is the word I want. I know it, from experience. They are the deepest, darkest, dirtiest holes that have not seen a wipe since… since… , the closest reference I can get is CHOGM. That comes once in 50 years, not so? Well, what I was doing was not spring cleaning. That is too often. And I searched them out, and dusted them. The crannies.

I think I feel for house help. They earn all their money, and more. And I have got some sympathy for M7, preparing for you know what. Imagine all those potholes which have been repaired, and dug and remodelled and… turned into crater lakes in the middle of Kampala’s roads? At least he can blame the transport minister, who can blame someone else, down the ladder of responsibility. There are 64 ministers. The chain will soon find a suitable underling.

But I cannot. Pass the blame that is. Not onto my in-law’s beautiful son. He will be the blameless one, not so?

While I was still searching for them (crannies), they arrived. The son and the in-law.

I remembered 27^th advice. I was supposed to put my best foot forward. Not into my mouth; but that is what happened. Poor me.

You see, my tribe puts a lot of emphasis on that initial greeting. The host is supposed to be settled down, ready. I was caught in the middle of chogm preparations. Unprepared. I excused myself, to finish what I was doing. Then the son came and demanded why I had not greeted his mom. I could have kicked him in the b…. They turn, change. No longer is it the person who loves me. A stranger now.

I answered that I had not finished something. I was fierce. He laughed, told me gently that in his tribe, the host greets the visitor immediately.

As I was still looking at him in anger, at his carefree laugh and lack of concern, a cock crowed.

Yes. Not a chicken. A cock crowed in the sitting room, where my mum-in-law was seated.

Will I survive this visit?

GayUganda