Paths to Personal Peace

Am I hot-headed?

Don't know. Maybe I am, maybe I am not. I know I do have obvious gifts, and constraints. And, I know that anger is one of those double edged swords that I hold by the blade in my arsenal of weapons.

Truth to tell, if it was not for that searing anger, I would not have the courage to do this blog. To write of raw emotion, to spill all of things that are pertinent. At least to me, at that particular moment.

But, with the heights of anger are matched the depths of depression. When, seemingly, I find myself moving against the tide. Fighting, fighting, fighting. Self pity?

Yes, that is a huge quicksand pit just before me. Always.

But, there is always the pride of knowing that, I can do something. And, that I can do it well, and do it mighty well.

I don't know whether it really gets better. But, I believe it does. So, I fight on.

Saw this article about the authorities in Malawi. You know, the country where that couple was arrested, charged, and sentenced to 14 years of hard labour for gay nuptials. Love condemned, punished. The President of the country pardoned them. But, what amazes me is this from the Vice President. And, this is ground breaking. Because, the pardon was definitely under coercion.

Blantyre (Malawi) - Malawian Vice President Joyce Banda, has called for tolerance towards homosexuality, at a meeting hosted by the Inter-Faith AIDS Association (MIAA) held in Blantyre, Malawi, on 29 September this year.

Banda made the call when she officially opened a Religious Leader’s Policy Advocacy Conference in Blantyre, stating that same sex practices are reality in Malawi and that religious leaders need be tolerant on such issues in order to fight HIV and AIDS.

“I am of the opinion that MIAA is strategically positioned to bring faith leaders together to debate how to respond to HIV and AIDS, find ways of repositioning in order to tackle the issue of homosexuality without necessarily compromising the moral integrity of faith institutions”, said Banda.

So, any good news in that? Gift Trapence goes ahead to kind of analyse the statement. It was the international attention that has brought the focus, and the change in mind. It is certainly welcome.

Gift Trapence Director of Centre for the Development of People in Malawi commended Banda’s statement stating that it is an indication that government is willing to engage on issues of homosexuality.

“This is indeed good news to the LGBT community. It sets an example for other countries to take precedent and allow Men having sex with Men (MSM) initiatives in their countries.”

Trapennce suspects that the positive statement was a result of the case of Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga which rocked Malawi and attracted international attention and condemnation.

“Personally I think it could be attributed to the international pressure but nonetheless it is definitely a step forward for the LGBT community”, he said.

And, there is this from an influential former African leader. The former President of Botswana.

Botswana’s former president Festus Mogae yesterday said African governments and leaders must not enact laws that criminalise homosexuality and sex work, warning that such legislation would inhibit the fight against HIV/Aids.

Mr Mogae, who chairs a team dubbed ‘Champions of an HIV-Free Generation’ that comprise prominent African anti-Aids activists, told Zambian President Rupiah Banda at State House in Lusaka that homosexuals and sex workers were part of society and they should not be stigmatised or discriminated.

Mr Mogae said he had written to some African Presidents, without mentioning names, who wanted to pass laws to criminise homosexuality, advising them not to do so.

The former President, who explained that he is heterosexual, said in Botswana homosexuality was illegal but he had been engaging the government to repeal the law that criminalises homosexuality.

Due to his advocacy, Mr Mogae said “nobody has been prosecuted over the last three years” for being homosexual.

Just so that you dont get too exhilarated, at the same place, someone else, the President of Zambia, and churches, were blunter.... or, they spoke the usual.... which of course was not suprising

President Rupiah Banda says donors in Zambia glorify and preach to Zambian children that being gay is a human right.

President Banda was speaking to champions of an HIV-Free Generation, who include senior Africans like Kenneth Kaunda, fomer president of Botswana Festus Mogae and other individuals involved in the fight against AIDS...... 

But President Banda said it was difficult to listen to donors on the issue.

He said when the matter was presented by people like Mogae, ‘then you understand why we should not criminalise them, understand them and at the same time try and sensitize our children, young people.”

Of the donors, president said ‘they actually glorify it, they talk to our young people and making them believe that homosexuality is a human right and that if you appear to speak against it then you are a reactionary and you don’t understand the world etcetera etcetera,” .

But Bishop Joshua Banda, the chairperson of Zambia National AIDS Council (NAC) was very direct and said the Chmpions did not visit Zambia to promote homosexuality.

“We must be very be extremely careful on how we project this because we have not come here to promote that. Except that they are saying, ‘these are the areas where we really need to discuss’. It’s very strong on my side. We must be able to see the side of the church, how the church should respond to this. What the churches have done,”

Now, I get hot and burn, while debating people like Maazi here. But, I also get to acknowledge that we are moving, changing the world, our world and our communities, with our very presence. Us gay Africans. And, any society resists change. In obvious, and tough ways.

[They call us sell-outs. Well, they want to hang us, and expect us to go tamely. No way.]

When I started this post, I wanted to posit that, we gay people will always be hated. Kind of an easy conclusion to get to in a country like Uganda, where our country mates feel it is no big deal to ask for us to be hanged. In public, with not a blush or fear.

But, I did realise that it is the kind of negative thinking which precludes the fact that we are actually changing that. We may never know the kind of acceptance in Uganda that would allow me to come out with my lover as man and man. But, it is better than it was a few years ago. The fear is less, the fight, the focus is more. We are on a battle front, recognised or not. And, with sheer desperation, we are slowly changing our world.

Of course, there shall be, and will be casualties. But, as the video says, 'It gets Better'. Hopefully, even in Uganda, it will.

And, of course there is this silver lining to all the depressing rabid talk.

Cary Alan Johnson of the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission describes the progress of African LGBT movements as astounding:

"Movements are more professionally run, politically smarter, more accountable and transparent, and more diverse. In almost every country, there are emerging organisations and political spaces for queer women, transpeople, those who want to be political, those whose interests are more social. Community centres and safe spaces are emerging continent-wide.

"In the face of much adversity and homophobia, it's actually quite a heady moment."

Here is the beautiful and personal, uplifting story from a Transgender Kenyan Woman.

There is light at the end of the tunnel. Maybe not as soon as I would love it in Uganda. But, I have to believe that, 'It gets better.'

gug

A Gay African’s Worst Nightmare.

Apparently, Chimbalanga and Steven of Malawi, the famous gay couple that got married are having problems.

Steven has broken up with Aunt Tiwo, and he has apparently fallen in love with someone and is vowing to get married to the lady.

Time to ring the bells?

I don’t think so. Those guys are under enormous pressure right now. They have gone through the stress of the trial. They have become the national horror show. And, they were in prison. I do live in Uganda, but the kind of pressure that these guys have been living is the very reason I stay lurking in the closet. It is every gay Ugandans, gay Africans’ nightmare.

Tiwo will find it very hard to hide. A transgender at the very least, having identified as a woman, come out and with statements made in the media, Tiwo is really out. As out as any African can be as different. Maybe that might work in her favour. The hullabaloo may go down… or maybe some crazed person may try to convert her or to exorcise the demons, or… whatever. I once wrote about a story from the Daily Monitor of a Transperson in Uganda.

His luck ran out last week when a curious young man tried to touch his ‘breasts’ at a drinking joint, only to get amused when a sponge fell down.

The LC1 Chairperson, Mrs Angella Okello and other women, took him to a separate house to check and ascertain his gender but were shocked to discover that he was a mature man. Drama then ensued as he was stripped and beaten by angry residents who forced him to walk naked for over the 5km stretch to Tororo Central Police Station.

 Yeah. Stripped, searched, marched, arrested. For the crime of being different.

Stephen has the luxury of hiding.

But, is it any easier for him? It is a matter of fact that our communities tend to be very intolerant. His whole world knows what has been happening, and even saying that he will get married to a woman (poor lady…!), that might tone down the pressure. But, will it? In Gulu, in Uganda last year, a woman was burnt to death, for the crime of making a pass at another woman. True, that case is in court.

Remember the anti-gay demos in Uganda that Ssempa led? And those in Kenya that turned violent? Well, here is a report of another demo, this time in Ghana. What is happening in Africa?  The rhetoric is depressingly familiar. Ssempa does have brothers and sisters...!

Ghana stage anti-gay protest

Posted on Monday 7 June 2010 - 11:42

John Afful Jnr, AfricaNews reporter in Accra, Ghana

Over a thousand protesters in Ghana have staged a massive demonstration amidst a heavy downpour in the oil city, Sekondi -Takoradi in the Western region to express their opposition to the growing activities of gay and lesbians in that part of West African country.

The protesters defied to engineer their displeasure as they went through the principal streets of the metropolis wielding placards following an alleged report that close to 60 gays and lesbians from the Eastern, Ashanti and Central regions of that country, have attended a get-together held in Tanokrom and other suburbs of the city.

The Muslim community in Takoradi with support from other religious groups and concerned citizens took to the streets of the Twin city.

The Leader of the demonstrators, Saeed Hamid, told AfricaNews that the demonstration was meant to draw government’s attention to the conduct of the gays and lesbians in the country, particularly in the Western Region.

According to the anti-gay and Lesbians group, even though people had the right to choose various sexual orientations and associate with whatever group they desire, the constitution also frowns on the activities of gays and lesbians.

GROUPS FORMED... ANTIGAY OF COURSE

Hamid said Ghana as a country is mainly occupied by Christians and Muslims, and the practice should not be embraced, saying it could have dire consequences on the country.

"Ghana will suffer more than the experience of Sodom and Gomorrah, should we embrace this practice in this country".

PLAY THE RELIGIOUS CARD. OF COURSE

In a petition presented to the Western Regional Minister Paul Evans Aidoo, the protesters said, the rate at which the youth in the Twin City are putting up the practice is alarming and is much of a concern since most of the young boys involved have health problems and wear pampers.

"How would you feel, if someone puts his penis into your anus?" He queried.

Adding that, the act could jeopardize their future.

HAVE YOU HEARD THESE THINGS SOMEWHERE ELSE? WHY, PRAY, WOULD YOU HAVE SOMEONE PUT A PENIS INTO YOUR ANUS????!!

Hamid mentioned that a lot of expatriates in Tarkwa and Takoradi working in the mining and oil industry were the ones luring the innocent youth into the practice through the influence of money.

BLAME the FOREIGNERS card...

They are therefore calling on the government to clearly state what the law says about homosexuality and possibly criminalize the practice. He was however worried that Takoradi is gradually becoming a hub for gays and lesbians hence their decision to resist the ‘’ungodly act’’.

Receiving the petition on behalf of the President, the Western Regional Minister Paul Evans Aidoo assured the demonstrators that steps would be taken to address their concerns.

The Minster advised the group not to take the law into their own hands by attacking the alleged gays and lesbians in their communities since that would be a breach of the law.

INTERESTING... A GOVT SPOKESPERSON ACTUALLY DEFENDING GAYS?

The group has given indications that it would organize a nationwide protest if no positive response is heard from the government after two months.

The Western Regional Police Commander DCOP Mahama Hamidu, who led his team to offer protection to the demonstrators, described the march as peaceful.

Hey, the capitals are mine. Couldnt help editorializing a little.... Here is the full article. 

But, not all news is bad news in Africa... Here is something else from Zimbabwe and South Africa. I am not gay, ask my wife.And the reporter did go ahead to ask the question! Ahem, I guess gay queries are taking place all over Africa, yes? Oscar Wilde had a quip about this sort of fame…. Better to be talked about, than to rot in our cupboards.

BULAWAYO —Prominent actor and playwright Bhekilizwe Bernard Ndlovu (pictured) has been forced to quell rumours that he is gay after he tackled the controversial subject in his thesis for post-graduate studies.

Ndlovu who was one of the leading actors in the popular soap Amakorokoza and had a high profile marriage with singer, Sandra Ndebele is studying at the University of Witwatersrand, in South Africa.

He said those questioning his sexuality should ask Ndebele who has since had a baby with another man.

“Me gay, of all people, ababuze umaNdebele phela (they must ask Ndebele),” he told this reporter through the social network forum, Facebook.

“Yes my research at Wits was on gay rights. My thesis was about exploring the model that is anti-homophobia for Zimbabweans in South Africa.

“Am proud of my findings and involvement in the kind of work and I must say, I discovered a lot.”

Ndlovu popularly known as AK after his starring role in Amakorokoza could not divulge more details about his findings.

“But I am certainly not gay,” he said. “I actually have to deal with my own homophobia at times (sic), but it is worthwhile.”

Hmmmmm!

Well, life goes on. Me, I am gay. Ask my man.

gug

Greetings!

Hi, to all and sundry!

Absent, totally absent and not communicating. That is what has been happening with me.

My apologies to all friends and well wishers. Sometimes it kind of gets to one, and then one has to hunker down so as not to be consumed by one's own self.....

Best thing is, I am rested.

Masses of emails to go through. No. My world does not stop and wait for me just because I am doing so..... Means that I will have to limp on for some time before I catch up with all and sundry. Bear with me....

Have been feeling the blogging fires steering for sometime now.... but, what tipped the balance was hearing that the two guys in Malawi, the couple that celebrated their wedding, that they have been granted a presidential pardon.

BLANTYRE, Malawi – Malawi's president on Saturday pardoned and ordered the release of a gay couple sentenced to 14 years in prison, but warned that homosexuality remains illegal in the conservative southern African nation.

President Bingu wa Mutharika said he would release Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza on "humanitarian grounds only." He made the announcement during a press conference with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in Lilongwe, the capital.

Of course, I would prefer that they were not condemned in the first place. And, they have endured at least 3 months in prison....

But, they are free to go. Ask yourself, in a country as conservative as Malawi, where even the judge refused to bail them for reasons of 'protecting them from the community'..... Where are they free to go to?

But, they are free.

Have you been following the Anti-Homosexuality Bill in Uganda? Ha! Hope you have.... There is a fabulous documentary, a must see by Current TV.
We are the stars... but I bet you most Ugandans will not see it. Neither have I. But, I am told that it is very interesting. Title is 'Missionaries of Hate'.

Be well.

And, thanks again, for the good wishes when I was incommunicado.


gug

Uganda a Democracy? And un-Christ-like Christians

It is ridiculous that some of these things plain cannot be written about. Maybe as a blogger. Maybe.

It is a matter of fact that the President has asidiously decampaigned himself in the hearts and minds of the Baganda in Uganda. Even a child can tell you that the Baganda are certainly not his favourite tribe. And, they have as assiduously reflected back the dislike.

So, the Kasubi Royal Tombs get burnt down.

They are a prized relic of Buganda, the kingdom, which is incidentally 900 good years old. And, of course one would expect as a matter of fact that the Baganda would blame the government. Logical. As logical as believing that the election of a black man to the presidency of the US would energise White Supremacists….

Nice example, isn’t it? I have to camouflage, in a way, the sedition of what I am writing, don’t I? Ridiculous, embarrassing, but, why not speak out on facts as they are, and as they MUST not be articulated?

When the Kasubi tombs were burnt down, my mind boggled when I heard that the President was going there. Gasoline on fire indeed.

He said it was his right. Which of course no one disputed. As president, he also has a right to st*****. But, even I expected violence. Not on the day after the tombs had just been burnt down.

Have you checked out the Monitor pictorial which I put on this blog? It is here. Instructive of what happened.

The President had to be ‘protected’ from his citizens. No wonder 3 were killed. And others injured. By live fire from the Presidential guard into a crowd that was seething at the sacrilege he was committing.

Now, the big news today in Uganda, is one, that the Lukiiko or Parliament of Buganda announced a 7 day mourning period. Starting today. And, Buganda loyalists are marching to the place, putting on the traditional mourning attire.

And, the President yesterday gave a long speech about the fire, incensed that there were rumours that incensed him. For that reason, the media is being carefully monitored. And, anyone caught ‘spreading’ that rumour will be apt to be punished.

By the way, the New Vision paper has a front page story about the media being monitored. Seems as if that story didn’t find its way into the online edition… But, we do expect a little thought on behalf of some people, don’t we?

Have we lost our senses?

No. Of course we haven’t. It is only that logic has taken a back seat, and the illogic of forcing the will of the govt (or, one man) on the populace is what matters. Only that.

And, even those who would caution that, Mr. President, you are respectfully going about this the wrong way… they dare not say anything. Remember Hans Christian Andersen’s ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes’?

And, of course this post is sacrilege! It is seditious. It speaks the unburnished truth, which should not be said out aloud. I am playing the child.

But, I have been to town, and have seen the tense city, with citizens of Kampala cautious. Even the mighty government is not going to stop the mourning period that the Baganda have mandated. No. That would be too much!

But, I expect security operatives everywhere. The kind that held guns to the crowd at Kasubi the last time. And, at Old Kampala Police Post, the riot police is on standby…. Will they dare tear gas the Baganda?

Don’t we have a modicum of logic in our grey cells? [shake of the head]

Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Who ever said that?

-----

Now, why do I write things which are definitely anathema? The courage of a banner man…!

 Did Jesus ever seat to eat with sinners? Did he? Or, didn’t he?

Remember that I talked about some Malawian pastors chasing away gay sinners from their meditations? They would have disrupted the proceedings. The vibes that they had were going to be bad for the meditations. So, they chased them away.

Here, we have an account of what happened. From the point of view of the gay people who were not allowed to eat with the saints of the church. They were suspected of ‘spreading homosexuality’!

Visiting gay Christians speak of harassment at Malawi church meet 

Source: Pana

Three gay Christians, who were invited to attend a consultative meeting on contemporary issues - including homosexuality - organised by the Malawi Council of Churches (MCC), have spoken of their horror at being bad-mouthed by pastors and hounded out of the meeting.

"It was a horrible experience," recalled Victor Mukasa, a Ugandan gay activist also known as "Juliet". "I am saddened that they regarded me as an enemy."

 

Mukasa, an Ugandan gay rights activist, said he expected pastors as men of God to receive him with compassion and understanding but he was disappointed at the church leaders' violent reaction to their presence.

"They literally chased us from the conference despite being invited," he said.

A Zambia openly gay Christian Chivuli Ukwimi and a South African gay pastor, the Reverend Pieter Oberholzer, were also invited to the meeting and were equally hounded away.

Ukwimi described the homophobic pastors as the latter- day "Pharisees" capable of ostracising Jesus for associating with outcasts.MCC, a grouping of protestant churches in Malawi, organised the meeting in the southern resort town of Mangochi "to understand contemporary issues like homosexuality and come up with a common stand as churches," according to MCC Chairman Bishop Joseph Bvumbwe.

But despite being invited, the presence of the three openly gay Christians reviled most of the assembled pastors, with some of them dubbing them "sinners and demons".

Others were, however, more accommodating, pleading with the militant ones to allow the gay guests to state their case for the church leaders to understand homosexuality.

But the majority thought the trio wee persona non grata to the symposium and elected to expel them.

A visibly shattered Ukwimi described the homophobic pastors as the latter- day "Pharisees" capable of ostracising Jesus for associating with outcasts.

"It's sad," he said. Oberholzer said he was born gay and nothing - including shock therapy - could disabuse him of his sexual orientation. He said it was alarming for his life to be compared to prostitution.

Sigh…

Poor Christians!

I am glad that I am not a Christian. But, I will join my hands to Desmond Tutu’s. Hope you have read that speech which IS redeeming of even these un-Christ-like behaviour of Christians.

Hey, we are gay. The modern day Samaritans. Outcasts, sinners, what do we expect from the princes of the church? Hey, icearc?

Have a great day.

gug

A Round Up

Gays are to blame for everything.

Terrorism... (9/11), Srebrenica, Nazi Germany, the Genocide in Rwanda, earthquakes.... You name it. It can all be thrown at the feet of iniquitous gays, since the times of Sodom and Gomorrah. Of course, we are to blame for the Catholic Church's celibacy policy, and priests abusing children. Who else is there to blame?

Gay is the new Jew? I think that is the saying. And, mate, arent we great Jews! All the Christians blame us, for one thing or another.
--

Zambia is banning same sex marriage in the constitution. The local gay group is outraged. Me, I dont have the energy to waste on outrage. Ha ha ha ha! Politically incorrect speech from this gay Ugandan. Bite me, I am entitled to my opinion.

Let the heteros and gay bashers be focused on their 'protection of marriage', a distinctly American import. I will not amuse them by going up in flames about it. Life, liberty, those are more pressing concerns for this gay man. Marriage? Uhhhhh, let them assume that denying us marriage is the ultimate. Such puny human beings they are.

Still in Southern Africa. Remember what happened in Malawi, when a loving couple decided to celebrate their love? Here are some interesting developments.

Meanwhile, it has been announced that the Blantyre Chief Resident Magistrates Court will not deliver its verdict in the marathon case involving Malawi's first openly gay couple next Monday as previously scheduled.

Instead, a judiciary spokesman said, Chief Resident Magistrate Nyakwawa Usiwa-Usiwa will rule whether Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga has a case to answer or not. 

"If the magistrate rules that they have no case to answer they will be released but if they are found with a case to answer they will be required to enter their defence," he said. 

But, that is not all in Malawi. I did cite a report where the Churches in Malawi refused to be taught about differing sexualities, didnt I? But, these stalwart Men of God are have been in very deep mental gymnastics. And, here is what has caught me of their deliberations.

Bishop Joseph Bvumbwe, said the heads of Malawi's protestant churches had resolved not to allow homosexuality in Malawi.

"It was the considered view of heads of protestant churches in Malawi that homosexuality should not be allowed in Malawi," he said.

A communiqu' issued at the end of the meeting and released Friday, says that the church leaders agreed that homosexual acts are influenced by sin and not sexual orientation.

The, errr, that word, which I dont want to use, but which is so spot on.... the STUPIDITY! Yes, the stupidity is breathtaking.

So, Homosexuality will not be allowed into Malawi? Like it is coming from the dreaded foreigners? Huh! Homosexuality is not allowed in Uganda. And, it is not..... But, why should I seek to enlighten those who will not have any sense get past their skulls?

And, notice the last bit of it? The Bishops have become doctors. Like of old, isnt it? Traditional healers, a reversion. Seems curiously like what happened in Uganda, with the church of Uganda declaring 'Homosexuality is a Sexual Dis-Orientation'.

Icearc here tried to defend the church from its hate. He seems to say, it is a case of a few bad apples. Or mangoes, or beans, whatever.

But even the master and saviour of our faith, Jesus Christ had a Judas in his midst, of the twelve he appointed apostles, one would betray him.Just because Judas became appointed an apostle does not make him righteous (or for that matter Christian) by de facto! In fact I always say that if we can restrict the Judases to one in twelve, then we'd pat ourselves on the back for a job well done! Not everyone that says Lord, Lord..... is from the LORD!

Icearc, I do understand what you are saying. But, from where I am watching, it seems as if it is a lot of bad apples floating around. And, the good ones, the Tutu's, the Byamugishas are precious and few in between.

The Malawian priests claim national sovereignty. That, because they are poor, they shouldnt be pushed around.
Strange thing. When the Bududda mudslides happened, I heard one of the Ministers in Uganda giving an assesment. They thought that to prevent mudslides and things like that, it had been projected that we needed something like 2-20M USD. And, they were asking donors to step in and fill the gap.

When we are begging for the money which our leaders find so endearing to embezzle, we have no shame, no thinking of our 'sovereignty'. When it comes to matters of killing our homosexuals, (and persecuting the opposition, or other heinious acts of dis-civilization), that card is one of the first ones out our deck. Donors should of course give us money. But, they shouldnt look where the money is going.

Because, we are sovereign nations.

But the church leaders have urged donors not to hold Malawi to ransom over the gay issue by threatening aid freeze to force the southern African country to relax its homophobic stand.

"Malawi should not allow the international community to use its financial power to push it to accept homosexuality," reads the communique which also urged the government of President Bingu wa Mutharika not to be cowed by the financial freeze threats.

Bishop Bvumbwe told PANA it was high time poor countries like Malawi were left alone to decide what was good for them.

Government spokesman Leckford Mwanza Thotho maintains that Malawi is a sovereign state with its own laws, values and morals.

"We are a decent, God-fearing nation," he said. "We have our own laws and those currently under trial will be treated fairly under our existing laws." 

If I dare mention that the god they are talking about is a foreign god, brought by colonialists..... Of course I will have committed sacrilege! [shake of the head]

But, before you get buried in this mud, here is a report of one study. Gay couples are good parents. Duh!

But, does the Catholic church accept that? Just have a look at this. That article again shows how far people will go in the name of hate. I call it hate, the justification of things just because they are against homosexuals. [snort]



gug

Just two Stories

The first is, you guessed, about Ssempa.

I know, I am giving him publicity. I have made him a hero on this blog, havent I? The guy fascinates me. With his hatred of all things gay, his lies, and, of course other things.

First of all, I lied.
They will be three stories. Two about Ssempa, and the third about Malawi.

First about Ssempa, he lied here. Which I gleefully point out again. He is a liar, me pointing out his lies is one of my main strengths. Seems as if Bahati is pulling back on the lying bit. But Ssempa, he continues to lie. Here is his press release of a few days ago.
I am picking out these lines of a lie.

Fourthly, we condemn the many media houses which are deliberately obfuscating the facts on the anti homosexuality bill. They say that this bill gives the death sentence to some gays, but don’t mention what they would have done to earn the death sentence, which is specifically homosexual rape and defilement of children and handicapped who are aged 18 and below. We condemn those who put sodomy rights above the rights of children and handicapped. We ask what sentence if any, do these pro homosexual organizations suggest for those who rape and defile these two vulnerable populations? 

Hey, do you think that is true? Well, read the bill again. Here is the text.
And, this is what the particular section of the bill says. Aggravated homosexuality leads to the Death Penalty. And, the mention of the child sex is limited. Very. To the clause 1 (a)

(1) A person commits the offense of aggravated homosexuality where the

(a) person against whom the offence is committed is below the age of 18 years;

(b) offender is a person living with HIV;

(c) offender is a parent or guardian of the person against whom the offence is committed;

(d) offender is a person in authority over the person against whom the offence is committed;

(e) victim of the offence is a person with disability;

(f) offender is a serial offender, or

(g) offender applies, administers or causes to be used by any man or woman any drug, matter or thing with intent to stupefy overpower him or her so as to there by  enable any person to have unlawful carnal connection with any person of the same sex,

(2) A person who commits the offence of aggravated homosexuality shall be liable on conviction to suffer death.

(3) Where a person is charged with the offence under this section, that person shall undergo a medical examination to ascertain his or her HIV status.

 So, I, a gay Ugandan in my majority can get the death penalty if and when:-

• When I have sex with a minor
• When I have gay sex and I am HIV positive.
• When my partner is disabled in any way. Doesnt matter if they have reached majority
• When I am arrested a second time and convicted of homosexuality... as a 'serial offender'

Hey, you get the thing. For Mr Ssempa, these other instances seem to slip the mind. He lies. They dont. He lies. Ssempa lies, on and off, continuously. And, even when I point it out, or others, he continues to lie.

That is the first story...! Debunking Ssempa lies.

But, that is not all about Ssempa. Apparently, he is spearheading a boycott of US, UK and Canada. Because they are have reservation about the bill! The man is not really stupid. As an observation. It is just a measure of his charisma that people DO listen to his rants. They do. Here is the story. The motivation, I can only speculate. Of course it is an impossibility. Impossible. Except in his fevered mind. But, I am a gay pervert, how can I speak the truth?

Anti gays in Uganda have resolved to mobilize Ugandans to stop buying goods from United States and the other countries which are threatening to cut aid to Uganda due to the controversial anti gay bill.

The chairman of national task force against sodomy, pastor Martin Sempa said during a press interview in Kampala that it is unfortunate that countries like USA have openly come out to attack Uganda because of the bill and even threatened to remove it from from countries benefitting from AGOA.

Sempa said, "Most Ugandans do not support homosexuality. We are to launch a campaign against consumption of US, UK, and Canada products in Uganda if those countries continue to threaten our country because of the anti gay bill. We will make people stop buying Coca Cola, Pepsi Cola and other products from USA."

 Ugandan observers however claim that while the government might not tolerate Sempa’s declarations due to the high economic stakes, Sempa’s threats, if realised, could prove risky for Ugandans as it could put a high number of people out of work.

 Only a week ago, Uganda’s minister of state for investment, Aston Kajara, expressed regrets over how the proposed bill had already started affecting foreign investment into the country. "Ever since the anti-gay bill was tabled, there has been outcries not only here but from allover the world against it. This is likely to affect the flow of foreign investors into the country," he said.

 Pure theatre. Pure, unadultered theatre.

Last story is about what is happening in Malawi. My heart goes out to these guys.

The traditional engagement ceremony of two men on Dec. 26, 2009 has created a lot of controversy in conservative Malawi. Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza were arrested two days after their engagement and remain in police custody, facing long jail terms.

A traditional engagement in Malawi counts as a civil marriage and is recognised as such throughout the country. Chimbalanga and Monjeza are the first gay couple to declare their sexual orientation in this manner. The couple is facing charges of "gross indecency" and buggery for "having carnal knowledge against the order of nature", offences under Malawi's colonial-era penal code.

But Malawi government officials, including the solicitor general's office, have refused to respond to the condemnations or comment on the matter, saying that it will be sorted out by the courts.

The state has administered several medical tests on the couple to establish that they were having sexual intercourse as well as a mental examination to test if each is mentally stable. These tests have since been described as demeaning by the human rights organisations

And, this is the personal cost of anything like it. One of them is sick, so sick that he cant stand in court. And the other things. The degradation, the humiliation, in public, in private, the lack of support from home. All these things we risk, yet we cannot deny what we are.

Neither Chimbalanga and Monjeza seem to have been fully aware of the laws on homosexuality; Chimbalanga has been working as a domestic servant for the past five years, most recently employed as a waiter at a lodge; while Monjeza is a subsistence farmer.

They told local media after their arrest that they were motivated to come out in the open about their relationship by love. However, many people in the country are arguing that the two are being used by unspecified "rich people" as a test case on gay rights.

The trial has become something of a circus in Malawi. The public has not been kind to Chimbalanga and Monjeza, taunting the couple is at every court appearance.



Chimbalanga does not seem to be moved by the jeers as he walks around the court corridors in feminine clothes, usually a flowery blouse and a wrapper. Monjeza, by contrast, has seemed uncomfortable and reserved.

Neither man enjoys the support of his family. Monjeza's aunt, Zione, accuses her nephew of bringing "disrepute and shame" to his family by marrying a man.

"People no longer respect our family. They regard our family as irresponsible and disorganised. This is a big scandal. We are very embarrassed," she says.

Chimbalanga's uncle, a chief in the southern district of Thyolo, also says he is unhappy with his nephew's behaviour.

"Tiwonge was born a man but he has always shocked us with his feminine behaviour. He walks, talks and dresses like a woman. This has always been embarrassing to us and people have been accusing us of having bewitched him," says Village Headman Chimbalanga.

Chimbalanga was banished from his village seven years ago, according to his uncle: he would have been just 13 at the time.

Their families did not attend the engagement ceremony, held outdoors in the garden of the lodge where Chimbalanga works in Blantyre, Malawi's commercial capital. But hundreds of curious people turned up to witness the union.

"They wore traditional outfits made out of the same material and Chimbalanga was dressed as a woman. The ceremony was colourful but a power black-out messed up the music system; a thing that made Chimbalanga weep," Natasha Golosi, who attended the ceremony told IPS.

Indeed, a love that dares not speak its name. When it does, the consequences are dire.

Pray for those guys in Malawi. Pray.

And be good.

gug

Have you heard?

They are big, they are bad, they are ugly.

Gay Ugandans.

Hey, here is one that identifies him/herself as a Ugandan. Was in a comment on this post here.

I'm Ugandan I hate to see gay and lesbienism brought into our country I fear being raped by a couple of guys. The situation is scarely let's not even think about the west we should just pass this bill as it is, I don't care if Lose the aid money it's nothing any way.

Wow! big, bad, horrible gay Ugandans.

Woweeeeeeeeee! They are on a rape rampage. Oh, oh, oh...!

Pity the weak common Ugandans. Save him/her from the export of 'gayism' from the west. Pass the Bahati Bill?

Eh, the iniquities of gay Ugandans dont stop there. Apparently, these gay people are so rich and powerful, they might have sent some money onto the account of one of the Opposition political parties in Uganda. Yes, you guessed. The money is to make sure that these politicians fight for gay rights (err, wrongs.) Here is the article from the Monitor.

Ms Betty Nambooze, DP spokesperson told Saturday Monitor that they want the account blocked until they establish the source of the money.

Suspicious money

“This is one of the issues that were resolved in the illegal NEC meeting that was held last year. They said they are opening a new account yet the party treasurer is not aware of it. Why open a new account when the party already has an account?” she said.
Ms Nambooze said the money on the account could be from the gay community.

Now, for me I am pretty sure that the money on that account is from the Gay Community. Like from me. So, will they return it to me? ASAP! Why not? Gay money is bad money. Even the opposition in Uganda finds it very disturbing to have un anounced gay money on their account.

Just to remind you, the Minister of Ethics and Integrity announced that I was supposed to share, with two others, 20 Million US Dollars. No. I will not repeat it.

Maybe the money on the DP account is supposed to be mine. So, they should return it to my account, which is currently in the red, impatiently waiting for its share of the 20 Million USD.

Someone do tell the DP that the money is gay, please? I am waiting, impatiently....!

Meanwhile, while I expected the whole world to know about the 'Kill the Gay Bill', I found a visitor to Uganda who didnt know about it. Yes. That is a fact. It was Italy's Foreign Minister. Here is the report.

When asked about Italy’s opinion about the controversial anti-gay bill, he said that he is not aware about it.
After being told by Uganda’s foreign minister Sam Kutesa that it is not a government bill but a private members bill to be discussed in parliament, he said Italy will wait for the outcome of the bill’s discussions before making any comments.

Now, after going to all that length to give you all the details, how come one single person doesnt know about the dastardly bill? If you dont know, here is the text. Just click!

I love the way politicians lie. Cool and collected. Without blinking. I dont know about it. It is not mine. Yeah....!

Just cant help to compare with this one. No. this is no comparison.

We are gay. So we are bad. And, so help us the gods when our good African brothers and sisters get us.

A trial involving Malawi’s first married gay couple was adjourned today after one of the accused collapsed in court and was subjected to homophobic abuse from the public gallery.  Tiwonge Chimbalanga, who has spent more than a week in one of the country’s most congested prisons, vomited and stumbled onto the dusty court floor just before the case was due to start.

As he lay on the ground he was jeered by members of the public who had crowded in to watch what has become a cause célèbre and a test case for gay rights in the African nation.

“Auntie Tiwo ali ndi mimba” — or "Auntie Tiwo is pregnant" — people said.

With no one to assist him, Mr Chimbalanga, 20, dressed with a traditional dotted red and yellow striped wrapper around his waist and a red top, finally managed to stand and was allowed to leave to clean himself up.

A few minutes later he re-emerged with a mop and a pail to clean the vomit from the court floor — a chore that women in Africa typically have to perform even when they are sick.

Mr Chimbalanga and his partner Steve Monjeza, 26, have been charged with unnatural practices between men and gross public indecency because they were “married” in a gay civil ceremony.

Nyakwawa Usiwausiwa, chief resident magistrate at the court in Blantyre, ordered that Mr Chimbalanga be taken to hospital for treatment. His lawyers told the packed court that he has severe malaria and needed more time to rest before the case could resume. It was adjourned until January 25.

In the past two weeks there has been growing animosity in Malawi towards the couple. A judge last week denied them bail for their own protection.

We are denied bail, to stay in very congested prisons. And the excuse? 'For our own protection.'

Have a good evening.


gug

Hypocrites

Hey, I had to post this. With my comments.

Remember, I asked whether I was too angry... Long time ago, (it seems), I was spilling bile all over my posts here. I was really feeling bad. Hey, those days, my pain had no outlet but the blog. So, Princess, dear lil sis of mine who never visits these days, took me to task. That, I was whining, and whinging. That things were not as bad as I put them to be, that I was so full of self pity. She was joined by Spiralx [glare]

Hey, maybe I was. Full of self pity that is. [sighhhhhhh], she can be tough, lil sis there.

Anyway, I, errr, moderated. And did find that I didnt have to be that bitter. (Just wonder what would have happened if the bill (text here)had come out at that time! The bile on this blog would have chased away most...!) Anyway, when the bill came out, I told her that the gloves were off. She took back her words. Told me that she had not realised that things were that bad....! Hey, seems that our conversations on this were years ago.

One thing that used to irk me was the hypocrisy of people. Now, I find someone who is actually as incensed as I used to be. From Times on line.

The anti-sex brigade are the worst of hypocrites

Those who want to police the behaviour of women and gays do not really have faith in their traditional vision of sexuality

David Aaronovitch

------

Diligent readers of yesterday’s Times will have come across the report about the imprisonment in Malawi of two men who had just become engaged. Tiwonge Chimbalanga — a transvestite — and Steven Monjeza, both in their early twenties, pledged themselves to each other in front of 500 witnesses, and then were carted off to jail, and may now face a sentence of 14 years.

The fate of the two men may have gained salience from recent events in Uganda. There the parliament has been considering a draft law, drawn up by a David Bahati, MP for West Kabale, entitled the Anti-Homosexuality Act, whose provisions aim to “prohibit any form of sexual relations between persons of the same sex”, with penalties including life imprisonment and — for “aggravated homosexuality” — the death penalty.

One can only marvel at the Bill’s more comprehensive provisions, such as the one defining that a “ ‘sexual act’ ... may include the touching of another’s breast, vagina, penis or anus . . .” and that “ ‘touching’ includes touching — (a) with any part of the body; (b) with anything else; (c) through anything . . .” 

 ---

But I found myself wondering whether “conservatism” really accounted for the sense of hysteria and imagined threat that seems to animate those who describe themselves, in whatever country, as moral traditionalists. Is what they represent an antagonism to harmful change (in which case they would, always, have a point) or something else altogether?

Let’s start this line of inquiry by asking a simple question. Besides Messrs Chimbalanga, Monjeza and perhaps a few of their friends, are there no gays in Malawi or Uganda and have there been none, in any significant sense, throughout African history? Is it just now, as a product of globalisation, that homosexual Malawians and Ugandans have been brought into existence? It seems unlikely. 

Uhhh! Maybe I should have called this 'Debunking Lies'. For, indeed, Messrs Ssempa, Langa, Nsaba-Buturo, etc are very keen to kill us because we are 'importing' a foreign behaviour, and 'corrupting innocent Africans...!

And, of course, I have to confirm that I and my partner are gay, and Ugandan. African. Hey, my dad used to impress me to cram the names of my forefathers, back when I was young. 7 generations of males. And, they were all African men...! I know, I am African... ha ha ha ha! And, I am gay.

But let us continue with David Aaronovitch

It seems most likely that there are millions of gay Africans pretending to be something else, or else who are tolerated as shamans, or who themselves persecute overtly gay brothers and sisters the better to escape detection. (Of course, like gayuganda here...!)

We are talking here about sexual hypocrisy. The New York Times yesterday revealed that a recent conference in Uganda that prepared the ground for Mr Bahati’s Bill was addressed by a trio of sexually conservative American evangelicals. According to one of the organisers, their theme was “the gay agenda — that whole hidden and dark agenda”. (Ah, quoting the esteemed Stephen Langa. You tube videos of the same are available!)

The conservative evangelical movement in America is famous for many things, and its many sexual scandals are one of its most celebrated products. Take Pastor Ted, as Colorado Springs preacher and leader of the National Association of Evangelicals, Ted Haggard, was known. For years it was all morality and family with Ted until a rent boy called Mike Jones disclosed Pastor Ted’s taste for gay sex laced with methamphetamine. It wasn’t true, said Ted. Then, yes, the bit about drugs was true, but not the gay sex. And then, finally, the gay stuff was true too.

Hypocrite, I crow...! Hypocrites. What of the Senator something 'I am not gay'? Craig or something...

What else but hypocrisy and denial fuelled the toleration of priestly sexual abuse in the Catholic churches in Ireland and America? And what else could one expect of an institution that demanded (not recommended) celibacy and condemned masturbation as a sin? 

----

When you hear someone say “our women are our jewels” you are almost certainly listening to a liar. 

 I love this kind of rant. Truly!!!!

None of this is unfamilar to any Westerner with a sense of history. St Augustine wrote that “whether it is in a wife or a mother, it is still Eve the temptress that we must beware of in any woman” and St Thomas Aquinas considered woman to be “defective and misbegotten”. Yet both partook. And in a low-key way it still survives, this drive towards the internal lie.

Yes, yes, Remind them!

Back to Africa to pull this together. Mr Buhati’s Bill says that it wants to “protect the cherished culture of the people of Uganda ... [and the] legal, religious, and traditional family values of the people of Uganda” from homosexuals. In other words, the structures and sexual mores that he considers to be so loved and natural are simultaneously so incredibly fragile that they must be protected, on pain of death, from even the example of other ways of having sex. 

Forgive my triple emphasis. Seems necessary. Call the liars what they are. Liars and hypocrites! Of course they will not listen. The log in the eye blinds them to everything but the twig in MY eye. But, what a sense of satisfaction I get!

The sexual conservative’s true hypocrisy is that he doesn’t really believe in his own idealisation. Men will be inflamed by the sight of hair, women will bear other men’s children at the fall of a veil, boys will suddenly cast off the tedious ways of heterosexuality and put on the gaudy garb of gayness. In truth, sexual conservatives wants to make everyone else pay for their own dark thoughts. 

Ahem.

Now, to the grand conclusion, which he made the Title...!

The anti-sex brigade are the worst of hypocrites

Uh, indeed, they are...!

Thanks David!


gug

The Magic of Music

My feelings                             

Yesterday. The 1^st of the year, the first of the decade.

We Ugandans are a party going people. And, it is traditional that the first of the year is spent in a style that celebrates the passing of a year, and the coming of a new year. We don’t celebrate an old year until it is gone. Superstition. If you congratulate one before the stroke of midnight, it might be taken as a wish of bad luck. But, once the clock strikes midnight, then the pent up energy overflows.

Fireworks over the city. Airwaves jammed, both the virtual ones of the phones, all and sundry trying to reach someone dear with new year greetings. And the air, with joy, laughter, crying, hugging. The music crescendos. And the parties go on till the break of day, people strangling home in the early morning, red eyed, boozed up, sleepy, and roaringly happy.

That is what happened yesterday.

But, I am a married man. My man insisted on an early night, and I didn’t join into the festivities. Came break of day, and we welcomed the new year as only a couple can. Well, and truly. It is great to be in love.

My love had prepared new year dinner for some friends. Kuchus. They came, hangover from the New Year Eve excesses. Blessed our house with their presence as the first visitors of the year. We spent the day together.

It was wet, windy, rainy outside. Rain is a blessing, it is said. And, I love that weather, it is home.

Evening, and we went out.

By a trick of magic, my voice was supposed to be on the airwaves. The BBC. From Bush House, London- and, the voice was discussing whether gay marriage is a right too far, for us gay people.

Curious question. Curious topic.

I am fighting for our lives and freedom in my country, Uganda. Why inflame the debate with the sceptre of my desire for marriage? For competition with the ‘traditional family’? that the Rt. Honourable Bahati wrote this genocidal bill to defend against the likes of me, putting me in prison and to death for any of my infringements on it?

Some time past, I would never have done that.

What convinced me was this gay wedding ceremony, in Uganda. And, the one in Malawi.

We, as in we kuchus, homosexuals, we are human beings. We are a diverse, different and separate people. Even as we lust for life, love and the pleasures of sex, we also are deeply in need of self knowledge. Self acceptance. Self realisation.

Strategically, I might say we are not ready for gay marriage in Uganda.

But, others of my mates, kuchus, disagree. They feel the stirrings of love. They want to celebrate their love. They want to celebrate their commitment. They want their love acknowledged by the community that they live in.

And, more importantly, one is only young once. Time goes on. We are not going to reverse time when we can. We can only be happy NOW. Today, not in a blissful, hoped for future.

No. There is no ‘gay agenda’. We are simply human beings that seek to get the small things in life that are.

So, we want to celebrate our union. Not in secret, not in rumours. We go out and get married. Even when we risk life in prison, as will be the case in Uganda. Or, even when one gets 14 years in jail for Gross Indecency line in Malawi. How can an act of love like that be so desperately punished? Why, cant homosexuals be human, like the rest of humanity?

So, gayuganda’s voice did appear on the ‘Have your Say’ programme of BBC. Or, in bits and fits, the voice tried to bounce off the waves in Uganda, Britain, the world. The technology was not that good. [rueful grin].

Hey, I thought I was supposed to be anonymous?

There is a point when hiding and fighting in the shadows is no longer feasible. One may believe that it is logical to reveal the enemy who hides. Yes, maybe. But be careful what you wish for.

Afterwards, we went to our favourite bar on Friday.

True, this was a very special day. The first of the year, 2010.

The crowd was sparse. Everyone is getting over the excesses of New Year’s eve. Even the waiters were bleary eyed.

I was fresh, energised. I felt like dancing. And, that is exactly what I did. Get up and dance. After a few drops of fortifying drink.

The music flowed. The air pulsed, and, my body felt young and vigorous. I danced.

My partner, he was not into the music. Sad, that.

But, there was a trans friend who had come in. Dressed to kill. Flamboyant. Drawing glances which would slide off him, embarrassed for themselves. Too flamboyant, too gay, too kuchu.

He would try to dance with a guy, and they would slide away from him. Not wanting an obviously gay guy to hit on them. Even if they were gay…!

My feelings. I remembered one of the discussants on the BBC programme having issues with what I said. Apparently, my reasons were too weak. Based on feelings. My emotions, my ‘love’ is not really love, the lady from Spain seemed to say.

I also remembered Pastor Martin Ssempa rubbishing my writing as based on my ‘feelings’. Feelings in quotes.

Why, are my feelings not valid? I do not have the reading, the excessive knowledge to know the full biology of my sexuality. I don’t know what the experts say, and the studies which prove one thing over another. I am a poor Ugandan, in a backward backwater in Central Africa. Why should I need to have that to debate my sexuality, my right to life and freedom? Why cant I know myself? Why do others, others who admittedly hate me, need to validate what I am?

Why arent MY feelings valid?

I was dancing, swaying and twisting to the very loud music as these thoughts went through my alcohol dazed brain. I thought, I will write about this. The title will be ‘My Feelings’. And, I looked at the trans guy, and I decided that, even if dancing with him outs me fully, his feelings do matter.

He wants to dress, flamboyant, flashy in Uganda. That is an expression of what he is, of what he feels. He might not fully understand himself. He might know less about what he is than I do know. Life is a journey, and he is still discovering what it is. In a place and hostile to gender role crossing like Uganda, his is a difficult journey. A very lonely journey even when he seems to be so confident and bright, a kingfisher bird amongst weaver birds.

I didn’t take pity on him.

I understood what he felt. And, I understood what I felt. And, we danced. Right there on the floor, with other guys around us, looking on.

The music flowed, life pulsed, the lights throbbed. And, we were in heaven.

I truly felt I could have continued to the break of day.

My partner is less blasse about me outing myself. He intervened… Dragged me off to bed. Or, he might just have been jealousy of me dancing with another guy…. Sadly, my reputation follows me into the new year.

But, I loved it. I loved the freedom within the oppression. I loved being myself, dancing to the music, feeling freedom and, defiant.

No. It is not a kuchu bar where I was dancing, with my friend. It is a straight bar. But, there are no kuchu bars in Uganda.

I loved it.

Just hope the music continues through the year, and, we all find that much more satisfaction. Happiness, contentment, one can have even in one’s worst nightmares. Life for a gay person in Uganda is tough. It is much worse for trans men. But, the strength and bulwark of their feelings make them surmount that mountain.

Have a wonderful new year.

gug

Gay marriage

Why do gay people want to get married?

Because we are human beings. Because we do fall in love. Because it is not just about sex, though [sex is good]. It is about our humanness.
No, we dont want to upset the people who sincerely believe that we are a threat to them. We dont want to make them unhappy. Indeed, for most of us, we cannot fathom how a commitment to love one another, between two consenting adult human beings is so upsetting that we need to be arrested because we did so. Get married, that is.

I reported on the gay wedding ceremony in Uganda here. It was not the first. Indeed, less than 2 months ago, there was another one. We are human beings, and we crave recognition by our communities that we fall in love. Imagine, those guys in Uganda, they risked all and had their ceremony. And, if the Anti-Homosexuality bill becomes law, they would be risking life imprisonment.

A couple in Malawi made the news. From what I gather, they had an engagement ceremony of sorts. A dignified promise to each other that they would be partners. And, their community has arrested them. For 'Gross Indencency'

Malawi gay couple to face justice after engagement

Homosexuality is punishable by 14 years in jail in Malawi

Two gay men arrested in Malawi after getting engaged are to be charged with gross public indecency, police say.

"We arrested them because they committed an offence; homosexuality in Malawi is illegal," police spokesman Davie Chingwalu told the BBC.

Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza held a traditional engagement ceremony over the weekend - believed to be the first gay couple in Malawi to do so.

Homosexuality carries a maximum prison sentence of 14 years in Malawi.

The pair are being held in separate cells in Blantyre until their case is heard, Mr Chingwalu told the BBC's Network Africa programme.

They are due to appear in court on Wednesday.

The BBC's southern Africa correspondent Karen Allen says Malawi is a deeply conservative society.

But some voices in government have started to call for more openness about homosexuality as the authorities try to tackle high rates of HIV/Aids, she says.

 I am pretty certain that most likely, this couple is just two people in love. That, to me is the simplest explanation of what they did. I know, other people will be incensed. Tradition has been broken, and this indencecy has been made public. They should be punished. That will be the excited cry of many. Why punished? I will speculate.

But, I dont need too.

I have been with my partner almost nine years now. Gosh, yes, it is almost nine. [Problem with Christmas and New Years is that our anniversary is always too near those holidays! Guess what that does to the pocket!] I bravely promised that on our tenth anniversary, we would make it a proper wedding. Err, a proper celebration, since we cannot be wed in Uganda...! Constitutionally impossible, it is only the Bahati Bill (text here) which would add on life imprisonment to that prohibition.

When we had the wedding ceremony, my partner and I were flabbagasted. Couldnt imagine doing that sort of thing at this particular time of the year. Matter of fact, most leaders in the kuchu community were invited, without having an inkling that they were going to a kuchu introductory ceremony. It was as simple at that. Maybe it was better that way, because, if I had been asked my opinion, I would have counselled NO. Very vigorously.

But, we are human beings. And, I laud the couple in Malawi, as I lauded the couple in Uganda.

May you pass through the current troubles. May you have a good, a great life together.

gug

PS; In other news, Some presumed gay men in Senegal were arrested on Christmas eve. Most likely spent the holiday in jail. Poor homosexuals in Africa.

And, the Daily Monitor in Uganda had out an editorial calling for calm amidst the homosexual debate. There are two things which strike me... One is the fact that those who are saying they are being threatened are actually the ones who are threatening. I mean, it is quite funny if a person starts debating with me on whether or not me and my partner should go to prison, or be put to death. That, like the BBC, 'Should homosexuals be put to death', that is not a debate at all. That is pure madness. And, I do understand a person who losses his cool. A gay Ugandan who loses his cool on that kind of debate.

But, another thing that makes me sceptical is the fact that, I have personally been accused of plotting to kill some of the principles. That was news to me. Which I quickly debunked. Since it is a curious false accusation, I am tempted to believe that, the people who are saying these things are actually trying to get sympathy, and paint us big bad homos as evil...! Of course it is.