Truth and Fiction; The Pastor Wars

Dull but interesting reading. By the way, an old non-friend, the 27th Comrade has a thoughtful comment on what has been happening in Uganda with respect to Ssempa and Co. Here is his comment. It is worth a read, the POV of a bystander...! But here is the Police Report.

'Kayanja is innocent'

Written by THE OBSERVER

Monday, 10 August 2009 07:40

Investigating officers have concluded that the highly publicised sodomy allegations against Pastor Robert Kayanja were fabricated and malicious.

In fact, the officers have recommended prosecution for the pastors who allegedly mobilised six youth to make the allegations. Below is part of the CID report;

The Director of Public Prosecutions, KAMPALA

Alleged sodomy of Mukisa Samson and five others by Pastor Robert Kayanja

Between February 17, 2009, and April 7, 2009, reports were received at Central Police Station, Kampala, and at CID Headquarters, Kibuli, from the under listed persons alleging that they were either sodomised, or attempted to be sodomised by Pastor Robert Kayanja.

The persons who alleged to have been sodomised are:

(i) Mukisa Samson, male adult 19 years old

(ii) Akansima Ivan, male adult 22 years old

Those who alleged attempted sodomy are:

(i) Mukalazi David, male adult 36 years old.

(ii) Mutebi Ronnie, male adult 21 years old.

(iii)Ntwatwa James Brian, male adult 24 years.

The complainants were mobilised to report to the Police by the following people:

(i) Mukisa Samson and Matovu Robson were mobilised by Pastor Kyazze, Pastor Male Moses, Pastor Kayiira, Pastor Sempa and Pastor Semujju.

(ii) Akansima Ivan, Ntwatwa James Brian, Mutebi Ronnie and Mukalazi David were mobilised by Ms. Kyomuhendo Anita Deborah and Mukalazi David.

(iii) Lawyers were organised by the above mentioned pastors for Mukisa Samson and Matovu Robson to swear an affidavit. The pastors also accompanied Mukisa for medical examination.

In the course of investigation, all complainants apart from Mukalazi, claimed the statements they made to the Police alleging sodomy by Pastor Kayanja, were false and that they were made under the influence of Pastor Kyazze, Pastor Male, Pastor Kayiira, Pastor Sempa and Pastor Semujju, for the purpose of tarnishing the name of Pastor Robert Kayanja.

CPS KAMPALA CRB 3967/2009

(i) This case was reported by one Samson Mukisa, a male adult aged 19 years,alleging in an affidavit commissioned by Mr. Ddungu Henry, an advocate with Sekana Associated Advocates, and in a statement he made at CPS Kampala, both dated February 17,2009.

(ii) That he joined Miracle Centre Cathedral Rubaga in the year 2003 following the death of his father, the late Bulega Richard, who was also a member of the church.

[iii] That he stopped attending the church after the death of his father in the year 2004. That his mother had died in the year 2000.

[iv] That in the year 2008 he [re]-joined Miracle Centre Cathedral Rubaga.

[v] That Pastor Robert Kayanja put him under the homeless children programme.

[vi].That he headed music group “A” and during music competition, and when his group won the competition, Pastor Robert Kayanja congratulated him and took him for dinner at a city hotel which he couldn’t recall because they used a tinted car.

[vii] That he was sodomised by Pastor Robert Kayanja from that city hotel on June 25/26, 2008, and that he [Pastor Robert Kayanja] called a medical doctor who stitched up his anus,and that the doctor declared him insane. That immediately after the treatment, he was taken to Kampiringisa Health Centre by Pastor Kayanja’s body guards on the orders of Pastor Robert Kayanja, and that he spent there a month.

[viii] After a month at Kampiringisa, a male doctor examined him and found that he was sane and helped him to get out of Kampiringisa.

[ix] That he went to Omega Healing Centre Namasuba, where he has been staying and where he revealed to Pastor Kyazze Michael, Pastor Felix Semujju and Pastor Bob Kayira how he was sodomised by Pastor Robert Kayanja.

[x] On May 15, 2009, Mukisa Samson reported to CID headquarters and made a statement retracting information in the affidavit and statement he had made at CPS Kampala, both dated February 17, 2009.

[xi] On May 19, 2009, one Mukisa Samson, alias Bulega Robert, alias Musasizi, alleged in a statement that he was put at gun point by Mr. Tumuhimbise B.V, D/ACP, in order to force him alter the information he had made in an affidavit and statement he made at CPS Kampala, both dated February 17, 2009.

[xii] On May 20, 2009, Mukisa Samson, in an extra judicial statement, stated that the information in the affidavit and statement, both dated February 17, 2009, were false, and that it was Pastor Male who told him to make the false claims against Pastor Kayanja.

[xiii] On June 5, 2009, Mukisa further made a statement alleging that the content of statement he made from CPS and the affidavit, both dated February 17, were false.

Findings

Whether the complainant was a member of Miracle centre.

(i) Kiiza Jonathan, in a statement dated May 18, 2009, stated that he joined Miracle Centre in the year 2000 and was accommo-dated by the church under ‘Never Again’ project but has never seen anybody in the names of Mukisa Samson.

(ii) N0.25350 D/CPL Baweemu Rajab, a body guard to Pastor Kayanja, in a statement dated May 18, 2008, stated that he has never seen anybody in the names of Mukisa Samson at Miracle Centre.

(iv) Pastor Robert Kayanja, in his statement dated April 29, 2009, stated that he has never seen, met talked and dealt with Mukisa Samson, and Mukisa is not a member of the church.

Whether the complainant was a leader of music group ‘A’ and if there was a competition in 2008.

(i) Pastor Wampamba, in a statement dated May 18, 2009, stated that he heads the Miracle Centre dance team. That the members of the team don’t reside at the church and they never had any competition in 2008, and there is no member in the names of Mukisa Samson.

Whether the complainant was sodomised from a city hotel by Pastor Robert Kayanja

(i) Medical report by the Police surgeon done on February 18, 2009 however reveals no evidence of sodomy. However, Dr. Jombe Johashaphat of Mulago Hospital, in a statement dated May 18, 2009, stated that when he examined Mukisa on March 24, 2009, “the complainant did not have any definite signs of a recent sodomy but had a partially patulous anus with reduced anal sphincheric tone and sodomy could not be ruled out”.

(ii) Pastor Kayanja, in a statement dated April 29, 2009, stated that he has never seen, met or dealt with Mukisa and on June 26, 2008, the alleged date of the sodomy, he was out of the country. Evidence from the copy of his passport also shows that he had travelled out of the country, and was in the United States of America on the dates on which the sodomy was alleged to have happened.

Whether the complainant was taken to Kampiringisa Health Centre and detained there for a month

(i) N0.25350 D/CPL Baweemu Rajab, a body-guard to Pastor Kayanja, in his statement dated May 18, 2009, stated that he has never been instructed by PastorKayanja to take any orphaned boy to Kampirigisa, not even Mukisa Samson whom he has never seen before.

(ii) Nassuna Sarah, a Nursing Assistant at Kampirigisa Health Centre, in a statement dated May 18, 2009, stated that there is no record to show that Mukisa Samson was once admitted at Kampiringisa.

(iii) Mukasa Andrew, a medical Officer at Kampiringisa Health Centre, in a statement dated May 18, 2009 stated that he has never handled any case of sodomy; not even helping any child to escape from the centre. He also said that he has never heard of a child at the centre called Mukisa Samson.

(iv) Namonye Paul, a senior house master at Kampiringisa, in a statement dated April 17, 2009, stated that he is in charge of the children taken to the centre but the records show that the centre has never had any inmate in the names of Mukisa Samson.

(v) Alule Michael, Principal of Kampiringisa Rehabilitation Centre, in a statement dated May 18, 2009 stated that the centre has never had a doctor. That the centre receives children found guilty by court, children rounded up by City Council and Central Police, but not from individuals. That the centre has never received any child in the names of Mukisa Samson.

(vi) Pastor Kayanja Robert, in a statement dated April 29, 2009, stated that he has never ordered his bodyguards to take any orphaned child to Kampiringisa, and not even Mukisa Samson.

Under what circumstances the complainant was accommodated at Omega Healing Centre (OHC) and the case reported to the Police.

(i) Pastor Ssemuju Felix, Pastor Kayira Bob, Pastor Kyazze and Pastor Male in their statements confirm Mukisa went to OHC and presented his problems as stated in the affidavit.

(ii) Pastor Kyazze Michael, in his statement dated June 2, 2009, stated that he instructed Pastor Kayira to take Mukisa Samson to Pastor Male Moses who is well acquainted with the procedures at the Police, making affidavits and examination of complainants of sodomy. Pastor Kayira confirms in his statement dated May 19, 2009, that he took Mukisa to Pastor Male and to CPS Kampala for a Police statement.

(iii) Pastor Male Moses, in his statement dated May 18, 2009, stated that he took Mukisa Samson to Ms Kaggwa and Company Advocates to swear an affidavit dated February 17, 2009, and the affidavit was commissioned by Mr. Dungu Henry, an advocate with Sekana and Company Advocate.

(iv) Mr. Ddungu Henry, in a statement dated May 19, 2009, stated that he commissioned the affidavit.

(v) Mirondo Fred D/ASP, former Divisional Criminal investigations officer at CPS Kampala, in his statement dated May 20, 2009 stated that on February 17, 2009, he received a complaint from Pastor Male Moses Solomon and Mukisa Samson alleging that Pastor Robert Kayanja had sodomised Mukisa Samson and he instructed D/CPL Outeke John Robert to obtain a statement from Mukisa Samson and issue him with PF 3 for medical examination. That the PF3 was never brought back. That he had also instructed the complainant to come back after medical examination to lead the Police to his witnesses and the scene of crime but he never went back to the Police.

(vi) No. 25241 D/CPL Outeke John Robert in his statement dated May 19, 2009, stated that he recorded Mukisa’s statement dated February 17, 2009. That Mukisa was in the company of Pastor Male and another man.

Findings

i. The complainant’s real name is not Samson Mukisa as alleged in the affidavit. He is Musasizi Robert Kaliba. Both his parents are alive.

ii He has never been a member of Miracle Centre and a leader of music Group ‘A’ at the Miracle Centre Rubaga. Further, there is no Music Group ‘A’ at the Miracle Centre Rubaga.

iii. There was never a music competition at the Miracle Centre in 2008, as alleged in his affidavit.

iv. There is no evidence, medical or otherwise, to show that the complainant was sodomised by Pastor Kayanja. In fact, at the time of medical examination by the Police Surgeon, there was no evidence that Samson Mukisa had ever been sodomised, or even had his anus stitched up as alleged in his affidavit.

v. There is evidence to prove that Pastor Kayanja was out of the country on the dates on which he is alleged to have sodomised the complainant.

vi. There is no evidence on record to indicate that Samson Mukisa was ever taken to Kampiringisa Health Centre by Pastor Kayanja’s bodyguards or anyone else, as alleged in his affidavit.

vii. The complainant has since retracted his earlier allegation of sodomy against Pastor Kayanja and stated that all his earlier accusations against Pastor Kayanja were false, and were masterminded by Pastors Male, Kyaze, Sempa and Kayiira for the purpose of tarnishing Pastor Kayanja’s name.

Conclusions/recommendations

In retracting their statements, the complainants revealed that they had been mobilised to make false accusations against Pastor Robert Kayanja in order to tarnish his name.

I, therefore, recommend that the persons who conspired and mobilised the complainants to make false allegations against Pastor Robert Kayanja be charged with the offence of Conspiracy to Injure the Reputation of Pastor Kayanja, Contrary to Section 392(b) of the Penal Code Act.

I further recommend that the persons who were so mobilised be retained as witnesses in this case.

Compiled by: Akullo Grace D/SP, Ag. Commissioner/ General crimes

The Pastor Wars. Episode XXX…!

Remember Pastor Ssempa’s crusade of naming and shaming rivals as homosexuals? Well, he went and attacked a prominent rival, and then the police investigated. And the president was involved. And, and, and…!

Well, the saga of investigations has wound down. The hysteria and public interest was so much that the newspapers were gagged. For the time being. That shut down the allegations. But now, this increadible story is concluding, or seeming to. A reminder, there were allegations of sodomy, and of rape. There were kidnappings, and then witnesses who suddenly changed their stories. There was talk of huge monies exchanging hands. From the accusing pastors to the sodomy victims. There were whispers and rumours and rumours of whispers. And the country was in uproar, for a good month or so.

Results of the Police investigation. Fabricated charges. The good pastors (Ssempa, Male, Ssemuju, Kayira) who are god’s chosen anti-gay warriors were actually fabricating evidence to bring down a rival. All in the name of .. the Anti-Gay Agenda.

And you know Ssempa’s defence. Outrage. The police are biased, corrupt, corrupted, and fearing the political strength of Pastor Kayanja.

This soap opera is best read, not in my biased words, but in those of the Monitor Newspaper.

Police get Kayanja off the hook; charge pastors

CHRIS OBORE

Kampala

Police have cleared Pastor Robert Kayanja of Miracle Centre Cathedral of sodomy allegations. Instead, the Police have written to the Director of Public Prosecutions urging him to brings charges against four pastors who reportedly assisted some people to allege that Pastor Kayanja had sodomised them.

According to the report entitled Sodomy cases against Pastor Kayanja, a copy of which Sunday Monitor has obtained, there is no evidence to pin Pastor Kayanja.

The police investigators concluded thus: “In each of the complaints of sodomy against Pastor Robert Kayanja, the investigations did not reveal any evidence of such offence(s) committed. Further, following medical examination of the complainants, the Police surgeon did not find any evidence of sodomy.”

The report furthers states that pastors Martin Sempa, Moses Solomon Male, Michael Kyazze, Felix Semujju and Bo Kayiira reportedly influenced Pastor Kayanja’s accusers.

The Police say one of the complainants Samson Mukisa used pseudo names.

“The complainant’s real name is not Samson Mukisa as alleged in the affidavit, he is Musasizi Robert Kaliba. He has never been a member of Miracle Centre and a leader of Music Group ‘A’ and there is no Music Group ‘A’ at Miracle Centre Rubaga,” reads the police report.

The police say all the complainants retracted their earlier statements against Pastor Kayanja saying that they had been incited by the four pastors to wrongly accuse Kayanja.

“In a statement dated 15th and 20th May 2009 Mukisa retracted the allegation indicating he had not been sodomised by Pastor Kayanja but was influenced by Pastors Male, Kayira, Kyazze, Sempa and Semujju as to make the allegations,” reads the report.

“I, therefore, recommend that the persons who conspired and mobilised the complainants to make false allegations against Pastor Robert Kayanja be charged with the offence of conspiracy to injure the reputation of Pastor Kayanja, contrary to Section 392(b) of the Penal Code Act,” reads the report prepared by D/SP Grace Akullo.

Ms Akullo who is the Acting Commissioner for General Crimes also wrote: “I further recommend that the persons who were so mobilised be retained as witnesses in this case.”

The police also say Pastor Kayira and Pastor Kyazze had “planned to trespass in the Rubaga based Miracle Centre Cathedral with intent to steal property of the Miracle Centre Rubaga.”

They say Pastor Kayira was arrested from within Miracle Centre Rubaga area in company of a motorcycle rider one Seremba Gadafi whom he had hired from Namasuba.

However, the accused pastors sounded unbothered yesterday. “I have not yet seen the report but it was expected. The investigative machinery of Police is controlled by people who shield criminals,” said Pastor Male.

“The police have actually worked for Kayanja but we will be happy to be in the dock and prove that Police and Kayanja are the same,” he added.

Early this year, Pastor Kayanja paid for the sprucing up of Old Kampala Police Station in a move some people believe was to soften the ground for himself ahead of the homo scandal.

And another pastor, Martin Sempa said yesterday that “we have had low hope in the capacity of Police to be unbiased.”

“This is a travesty of justice. Even before they examined the statement of Kayanja, they had declared him innocent,” said Pastor Sempa.

He said they were shocked that police would stoop so low as to protect a powerful individual and not the victims.

“This case had drama, there were fake kidnaps and the boys were taken through a tortuous process,” he said. Pastor Ssempa however revealed that they had several other sodomy victims whom they will present to court as witnesses. He said they feared to present the victims to police because they had taken sides with Pastor Kayanja.

“Police itself is under investigation; its Police on trial,” he said adding that: “Police buildings were renovated by Robert Kayanja.” The pastors are furious that the police were hindering the fight against sexual abuse in the Church.

They said Good Samaritans were now being prosecuted for helping victims and have also called upon parents and other Church leaders to stand firm in the fight against sodomy which is a criminal offence under Uganda’s laws.

and the same from Ugpulse

Uganda Police have written to the Director of Public Prosecutions requesting him to bring charges against four pastors who reportedly assisted some people to allege that Pastor Kayanja had sodomised them.

The development is contained in the police report entitled Sodomy cases against Pastor Kayanja, a copy of which Ultimate Media has seen. The report says that Police found out no evidence to pin Pastor Kayanja.
The report furthers provides that pastors Martin Sempa, Moses Solomon Male, Michael Kyazze, Felix Semujju and Bo Kayiira reportedly influenced Pastor Kayanja’s accusers.

so the report recommends that the persons who allegedly conspired and mobilized the complainants to make false allegations against Pastor Robert Kayanja be charged with the offence of conspiracy to injure the reputation of Pastor Kayanja, contrary to Section 392(b) of the Penal Code Act

Interesting Country, Kenya

Sex Workers’ Rights in Kenya: "It's Better to Be a Thief Than Gay in Kenya"
Written by Siena Anstis
Thursday, 06 August 2009

John Mathenke was once arrested for being gay but, after failing to pay the customary bribe, was forced to have sex with the policeman. He had an orgy with a priest who publicly excoriates homosexuality, along with five other Masaai boys. And his Arab trader clients curse him during the day, but come back looking for sex at night. Such is the life of a homosexual prostitute in Nairobi, Kenya.
"It's better to be a thief than gay in Kenya," Mathenke says. Both are often punished by death, but being the latter means never revealing yourself to the public and remaining perpetually closeted. It means dealing with homophobes at day and pleasuring them at night.

In Kenya, statutes dating from the colonial period dictate prison sentences of up to 14 years for male homosexuality (there are no laws targeting lesbians). These laws are further influenced by powerful Christian and Muslim religious leaders who publicly condemn homosexuality. In turn, homophobia towards the LGBT community in Kenya is widespread, and as calls to decriminalize homosexuality grow, the backlash is strong. In late April, one woman was hit outside a bar with a bottle for being a lesbian.

Born into a poor household in Kenya's central province, Mathenke never finished primary school. In 2002, after spending several years as a houseboy, he was influenced by other dream-chasers moving to Nairobi, and left to the capital city. He paid a barber $30 to be trained as a haircutter. His perfect English eventually landed him a job selling textbooks in a lavish Westlands shopping center. This was the scene of his first homosexual experience. While, subconsciously, he knew it was a part of him - he says he used to wear long shirts when he was small and tied a rope around his waist to pretend it was a dress - it had yet to be experienced.

A Frenchman would come in, day after day, he says. He would open thick African history books and look at pictures of naked men. He bought many books; some that Mathenke would help him carry to the car. He never thought much of this flirtation, until the man took him out for dinner. Inebriated, they went back to the Frenchman's home and had sex. The man took him home almost every night after that. In the same store, Mathenke encountered the priest with whom he had a five-person orgy.

At this time, Mathenke was discovering his homosexual identity and decide to move to Mombasa, an area rumored friendlier to homosexuals. $700 in his pocket, he put himself up in a hotel. Eventually the money dried out and he was left desperate. He went to Mercury, a local bar, and was offered money for sex with an older European.

"When you've had sex with someone once, they don't want you again," explained Mathenke. Customers became few and far between and he continued to sleep on park benches, washing in the seawater in the morning. He also faced continued stigma: "Arab traders would insult us at day, and come looking for sex at night." A lot of his clients were - and are - popular religious leaders who would curse homosexuals in public and find pleasure in paid homosexual company in private.

Mathenke eventually returned to Nairobi, where he settled in with a new boyfriend. He continued to see clients from the big hotels: the Hilton, the Serena, the Intercontinental. He would hang out in the gay hot spots with his friends, some who continued to sleep on benches, in Uhuru park for example, near the Hilton. He had yet to use a condom.

Community outreach by Sex Workers Outreach Program (SWOP) in Nairobi eventually led him to his "second-home." Three weeks ago, after being provided with free health services and counseling, he tested positive for HIV/AIDS. So did his partner. He tells me, matter of fact, "Now that we know this, we are talking more and confiding in each other." He has also started using protection with his clients.

In SWOP, he found inspiration and acceptance. Gloria Gakaki, a social worker at SWOP, explains that "it is not the general population that needs to be addressed. It's easier to empower the individual, make them feel as human beings, giving people a safe place."

Supported by the organization, Mathenke has started bringing together groups of young homosexual prostitutes and helping them form a community based organization, Health Option for Young Men on HIV/AIDS. Since he can't register a homosexual organization with the government, he has to use the name as a cover. He is teaching these young men - some only 12 years old - about using condoms and lubricant when having sex with men.

According to the BBC, gay men in Africa have 10 times higher HIV rates because of homophobia. In Kenya, the situation is no different: "People think you have been cursed," Mathenke explains, "It's painful, we wish we had freedom." Being a prostitute and gay is a double negative explains Gakaki, "It is a hidden population."

Since many stigmatized homosexuals in Kenya marry and have children as an identity cover, unless they are reached by HIV/AIDS education, the HIV rate will continue to increase, not only within the homosexual population, but also across Kenya.

While the government has long been reluctant to address the role of homosexuality in increasing HIV/AIDS rates, there have been some positive changes over the years. Gakaki highlights the brave role of Dr. Nicholas Maraguri, Head of the National AIDS and STD Control Program (NASCOP), who is pushing the government to address the link between HIV, homosexuality and homophobia. Maraguri has also been meeting directly with the male sex worker population to get a more in-depth idea of where the problems lie.

For further information on SWOP or to donate to Mathenke's new organization, please contact Gloria Gakaki at Ggakii@csrtkenya.org.

Websites with further information include: the National AIDS and STD Control Program (NASCOP) at http://www.aidskenya.org/ and Behind the Mask at http://www.mask.org.za/index.php?page=Kenya.

An Anti-Gay, HIV Activist

Is that possible? Logically, an HIV activist should not be anti-gay. Or is that not so logical?

I have been reading the Lancet article about HIV and gay men in Africa. Seems as if we gay Africans have been living an alternate reality. An artificial reality forced upon us and perpetuated by ignorance, by hate and by pure, undiluted conceit.

Is it possible to be an HIV activist who is rabidly and frankly anti-gay?

In Africa, it is. In Uganda it is.

Why should it be ‘impossible’? How can a person fight HIV and at the same time fight gay men, historically the most vulnerable group of human beings to HIV infection?

Reading the article, some scientific facts have been glaringly visible. Forgive me, if you are from the west and do not live the reality of an African gay man. These are things which, more than 26 years since the appearance of HIV amongst us human beings, these are facts which are known truths.

These are the facts.

• HIV/AIDS was first identified and diagnosed amongst gay men.
  
  
• Gay men were very quickly identified as a very high risk group to HIV. Highly vulnerable.
  
  
• Extensive (gay men inspired) prevention programmes soon proved that the dreaded disease could be controlled. Even before drugs were available.

And what happened in Africa?

We were, (and still are), invisible.

So, it is possible for an HIV activist to be anti-gay. Who?

Ssempa of course. Pastor Martin Ssempa.

In Uganda, he has been lauded as an HIV activist. He has worn awards. He has campaigned for ‘moral’ HIV prevention. Abstinence. Being Faithful. He has gone to the US and before Congress testified about HIV and prevention in Uganda. He has earned degrees on that basis, including a doctorate (hope am not streatching the truth too much.)

Ok, he has also burnt condoms as bad HIV prevention measures. He is anti-Condom.

And the same individual is anti-gay.

He has won awards for his anti-gay activism. He has started gay witch-hunts in society, in church. His aim is clear, and he has stated it often. To Eliminate Homosexuality from the Country. He is a very (the most) vocal anti-gay activist in the country, if not on the continent. He believes that gay people are the depths of evil. And he believes that gay Africans, gay Ugandans should not have HIV prevention programmes. In his words, having an HIV prevention programme for gay Ugandans would be furthering the homosexual agenda. True, here are the exact words as quoted. “These people are just looking at ways of legitimising their practice, which is illegal and deviant in our society,” said Pastor Ssempa. “Our previous experience showed us that bringing homosexuals into campaigns against HIV only gives them a chance to propagate their illegal and unnatural acts.”

So, Ssempa believes that, it is better for gay Ugandans to get HIV than for the country’s moral purity to be risked by making sure that gay Ugandans get an HIV prevention programme.

Better to have HIV than to have homosexuals.

I know, if you are from the west, you are shaking your head. Is it possible? (Oh, I had forgotten that this illustruous HIV activist did testify to the US Congress. It is in the west...!)

Absolutely. And, just to rub some salt into the wounds of your incredulity, let me inform you that the individual is a Christian, who does all this in the name of Jesus, and loving homosexuals. He is an outstanding, upright man, fiery, hell and brimstone preacher and messenger of god.

Anyway, this would all not matter if he stayed at home and did nothing about his pet hate. Truth, if I sat back and didn’t write these articles, these posts, my incredulous examination of Ssempa would remain a personal issue. So it is with him…

Ssempa is a very powerful man, a huge fish in a small pond. Granted, he is not as huge as Kayanja, the pastor that he spitefully accused of homosexuality. But Ssempa is big. He moves in rarefied circles. He hobnobs with the president, was in fact a representative of the First Lady when he testified in the US congress. For years, he has held sway in the HIV prevention programs in the country, pushing an anti-condom, pro-abstinence and pro-faithfullnes programme in the country. His gimmicks and bombastry don’t hide the fact that he is listened to, and influences programmes.

Fact, 25 years after the start of this epidemic, gay Ugandans have just started getting access to information. To know that they are at risk, (oh, they thought they were not. After all, HIV prevention was frankly heterosexual. Why not assume that homosexual sex is risk free?) They have just learnt that oil based lubricants destroy condoms. They are learning that condoms, when used correctly, do protect. And, they are learning that the necessary, life saving, water-based lubricants are not available in the country. Yes, we are learning. Slow, but surely. It is a global village. Knowledge couldn’t be hidden completely, and forever. Let us for a moment remember the thousands of our friends who have died needlessly of HIV, who are living with a virus they could have prevented.

Granted that Ssempa follows ‘moral HIV prevention’, but God help us immoral, useless sinners. HIV prevention for those of us who are homosexual is not moral. So, by that criteria, it is entirely consistent to be an HIV activist who is fiercely anti-homosexual. Anti-gay.

He wants tougher laws, (current laws allow us to talk to other people, and to have sex. Though, if caught, we risk a life time in prison.) He doesn’t want a gay HIV prevention program in Uganda. Oh, he has worked against it, and rails that the homosexual money which comes into the country is for ‘recruitment’ of homosexuals. It is not for HIV prevention, but ‘making youths homosexual’.

Genocide?

This is a question I have asked before. Look up the word, it means the elimination of a group of people defined by a characteristic. Intentional elimination.

I cannot truthfully say that Ssempa DOESN’T know that HIV is a major problem amongst gay men. Does he want gay Ugandans to get HIV? He will say no. He doesn’t. His actions for upward of 25 years have intimated something else. He has the knowledge, but he stands in the way. His actions say he wants gay Ugandans to get HIV. He will deny them knowledge of HIV prevention. He will deny them condoms. He will deny them water based lubricant. He will allow them the ignorance of believing that they are not particularly at risk from HIV. Infection, death by hate and ignorance.

Reminds me of Jesus (read him as a philosopher and you will be surprised at the depth of his insight.) Jesus was railing against Pharisees. They stand in a doorway, and don’t enter. And they refuse every one else from entering.

Apt. Very apt.

An anti-gay HIV activist? In the virtual, un-earthly, reality of Uganda, Pastor Martin Ssempa manages to be exactly that rare, impossible thing.

gug

A Light Moment

Another assignment or two for Clinton.

By William McGuinness
Given former President Bill Clinton’s success in negotiating the release of American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee from North Korea, Advocate.com would like to suggest a few more stops on Clinton's way home.

Currently, seven countries put LGBT people to death for homosexual activity, and many others levy heavy prison sentences or fines on those believed to participate, proven or not.

….
4. Uganda

Government officials have called for the imprisonment of homosexuals since 1999 when Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said they should be “locked up.”

In 2008, officials from Amnesty International called for a stop to the practice with language specifically alluding to the arrests of three HIV/AIDS activists.

Amnesty UK director Kate Allen (pictured), calling for their release, said, “We consider these three to be prisoners of conscience, detained for their peaceful activism,” she said.

In Uganda, no government aid is given to gay people infected with the virus since 1983.

Burundian Homosexuals Suffer Under New Anti-Gay Law

By Alan Boswell

Nairobi

03 August 2009

Homosexuals in Burundi say that their lives have been marked with increased discrimination and fear following the East African country's move to ban homosexual practices. Burundi officially passed the law criminalizing homosexuality in April this year.

The interviews conducted by the advocacy group Human Rights Watch documents the difficulties of being a gay or lesbian in Burundi, including instances of sexual violence, family rejection, police intimidation, and now the daily possibility of imprisonment.

Yves, an HIV-positive gay man who lives in Bujumbura, says that finding work has been a serious challenge for him since the law was passed. He also worries that the new law will discourage those in the gay community from seeking HIV testing and treatment for fear of scrutinization.

Another self-identified gay man from Bujumbura, Théophile, says that he was beginning to see increased tolerance among his friends and family before the issue became politicized. He describes the law as a "step backward."

Burundi received sharp rebukes from much of the international community following the passage of the law. Key donor countries Belgium and The Netherlands have been critical of the move.

Much of the region has laws which criminalize gay relations, but for Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, these laws were largely remnants of the colonial British rule. Burundi's actions received special attention from human rights organizations because under its Belgian colonization, no law existed against gay behavior.

The new law first passed the National Assembly in November 2008. Amid international pressure, the country's Senate overwhelmingly rejected the criminalization provision.

The Burundi National Assembly, though, refused to accept the Senate's rejection, and the law became final in April.

The action by the Burundi government to formally outlaw homosexual activity came as a small group of gays and lesbians began to bring the issue into the public spotlight and attempt to create national discussions about what had always before been a sensitive subject.

Encouraged by some of the recent gains seen globally by gay activists, the Association for Respect and Rights for Homosexuals was formed five years ago in Bujumbura to mainly serve as a support group for gays and lesbians

Since 2007, though the group began to do radio interviews and more actively make its case for increased homosexual rights to the public.

But the group's limited public exposure seems to have created an intense political backlash, at least for the short term.

According to Human Rights Watch researchers, Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza personally led the charge to get the law passed. Following the Senate's rejection of the clause, his ruling party organized an anti-gay march in Bujumbura, bussing in protesters from rural areas. His office then reportedly phoned legislators individually to lobby for the April passage.

Some observers partly attributed the president's activism on the issue as a move to weaken political rivals within his own party who had made public statements seen as more liberal on the gay rights issue.

Boris Dittrich, head of homosexual rights advocacy at Human Rights Watch, which actively worked against the law's passage, says that his group has not given up its efforts to have the criminalization rescinded.

"After the next elections, there might be the possibility that new politicians will see that criminalization of homosexual conduct is a violation of human rights and it doesn't lead to anything productive. So we will continue trying to persuade politicians in Burundi to change course," Dittrich said.

The group says that it hopes that the international backlash Burundi received for its action will pressure the government to quietly seek to modify the law after the 2010 elections.

Human Rights Group researchers told VOA that, like similar trends seen in elsewhere in the world, there is a growing tolerance among the country's youth for gays and lesbians, while older generations are much more likely to consider it a taboo.

The progress that homosexuals have seen in the country towards acceptance, though, is mostly limited to its capital city, Bujumbura. The vast majority of Burundians live in rural areas.

Many of the those interviewed by the organization shared similar stories of banishment by family members if their sexual identity was discovered.

Seventy-seven countries in the world have laws against homosexuality, many of them in Africa.

Pastor Martin Ssempa

Disclaimer: I don’t like the guy. I dislike him, intensely. You see, I am a gay Ugandan. He is a Ugandan who has made it his life mission to be anti-gay, and use all his skill and gifts to persecute me.

So I am hardly likely to write any good of him.

Yet, in a funny way, I think this is a story to be written, for posterity. For a different view of the man, Martin, check out his website. And he does have a blog... Also, some people positively swoon to praise him. Check this out; the Martin Ssempa News blog. I think that is enough...!

Last night, after listening to this talk show, I was very thoughtful. Whenever Ssempa speaks, I am struck by his character. It is kind of abrasive, and out there. Like a chess player who, after some time knows his opponent, I seem to be able to predict what he will say and do in certain circumstances. So, why not put down my surmises on a sheet of paper? And post it out there? Premise is that, because I dislike what he does, I don’t think I am so off in an analysis of his character.

I am a gay man living and working in Uganda. I got to notice Pastor Ssempa years and years ago, brought to my attention by his virulent anti-gay message. Way before most Ugandans believed that there were gay Ugandans, Ssempa was out there preaching an anti-gay message, albeit it was falling on deaf ears.

Who is Ssempa?

The pastor and founder of Makerere University Community Church,.. or something like that. Church for students at Makerere University. His is a youth church, or targeted at youths. Nationally, he has come to the attention of many because of his (meddling) in HIV prevention. He campaigned for HIV prevention on moral grounds. A back to morals message. So, for youths abstinence till marriage. And being faithful in marriage. Nothing more than that. Condoms were a no no. He preached against them, as imperfect. He burnt them once in church. And, with considerable political skill, he insinuated himself into the confidences of the First Lady, another Abstinence campaigner. And he believes, or at least he says, that it is this message which is credited with the fall in prevalence of HIV in Uganda. Check out his testimony before the US Congress here.

Physically, he is of average height (bah, Ugandans are short!). Light skinned, he is starting to lose his trim build and is getting a confortable, smooth skinned mid-age spread. Good feeding. He is married (to a white woman), and has two or three kids from previous, err, liaisons. He tends to have a variable accent (depending on the audience). He speaks Ugandanese usually, but, when he wants to impress, the accent becomes distinctly American. And with youths, the hip crowd, it is gangsta American.

That is enough of an introduction, isn’t it? This is supposed to be dirty and nasty, don’t know why am going so soft on the man. Too analytic? Well, I know I don’t know too much about him, but from an intense scrutiny of his public profile.

Ssempa is a charismatic preacher. He has this connection with his audience, especially youths and can inspire them to huge dreams. And they do like him. He is a person that our ‘hip’ crowd aspires to be like. When he speaks, they listen. And they listen hard. They believe in him. Yet there is a disconnect.

Older people seem not to warm to him.

I believe this is because he is a conman, and it is easy to see through him. Too easily, and that limits his charisma. Talk to any older person, and they see a self serving, populist and political stuntsman. And, the funny thing is that he is all of these things. Some of the things which define him include these. (Remember, my perception of the man is not likely to endear me to him. Bite me, I don’t intend to be blind to my own limitations.)

He is intensely anti-homosexual.

Why is this? I don’t know. He is obsessed with homosexuality. The fascination and drive to do something about homosexuality defines his life like no other thing. Long before it was an issue in Uganda, Ssempa was preaching an anti-gay message. He has repeatedly sought to make it the driving, core message of the church as a whole. His passion, his obsession is anti-homosexuality. Anyone who opposes this message, who dares to ask for moderation, is against him. Anyone who listens, should support him. The feeling, and faith is irrational, and intense. He sees no problem calling himself an anti-gay HIV activist, who advocates no prevention program for homosexuals. Sometimes I wonder, why does he hate us so much? I don’t know the answer to that question, but it may be a key to a lot of what he is.

In his belief system, there is absolutely nothing that a gay human being is good for. And there is no war, or crusade more important than the fight against homosexuality. And it is important that ALL the church recognizes and follows this crusade. It is bigger than the church, it is a national, an International problem. He tells lies about homosexuals, in the name of the cause. He advocates violence against homosexuals. Yes, he does. I stood near him as he egged members of his church on while police threatened to beat up gay activists at the People’s Space during CHOGM. He has spun conspiracy theories which I doubt he believes, but he preaches as truth.

He is shallow.

Fact. I have said that the guy is stupid. Maybe it is a strong word, too strong. But he doesn’t seem to be well acquinted with logic. Simple, believable logic. I know he is supposed to have an MSc, and a PhD. But I have a suspicion they are the kind Notredame awarded and UNM refused to award to Obama. Honorary. And, yes, they are from American Universities. In anyway, he isn’t a stellar example of any university…! Ok, if you don’t believe me, remember this. Despite the many things that he brought back from America where he was from some time (including the accent), this guy had the hypocrisy to blast Ugandans in the diaspora who came back with changed perceptions of their world. Yes, here it is. And there are innumerable examples of his selective perception and logic.

Ssempa is a populist.

And a politician. The charisma, the out-spokenness, the militancy. When South Africa legalized gay marriage, he led a demo of his church youths to their embassy. And threatened a boycott of South African goods. He is connected to the First lady- the Abstinence campaigns. When he talks, campaigns, etc, one gets the sense of a politician on the move. A Lukyamuzi... Rather than a church man. But that is not an absolute difference, is it? A churchman can be a politician.

Does Ssempa believe in the Christian god?

I am sorry, of course that comes off too strong. He is a Pentecostal movement pastor, so of course he must believe? But I was once a believer. And I did believe. Fact is, Ssempa seems to be more into his moral ideals and programmes than into preaching the ‘Word of God’. When he talks, like with most evangelizing Christians, the issue is accepting their point of view. But there is a big difference with Ssempa. Most other evangelizing Christians want you to accept and believe in their version of god. Listen to Ssempa talk, and you will understand that the most important thing is not that you believe in Christ. No. The most important thing that you believe how bad homosexuals are. The most important thing is that you believe that Abstinence and being faithful are the way forward in HIV prevention. In the background is Ssempa the man. And, lip service is given to ‘loving homosexuals’. And Christ comes off a distant nth place.

Case in point, is the Kayanja saga. The gay witch-hunt in the Pentecostal churches in Uganda. Any Ugandan will scratch their heads on learning that Ssempa is making an anti-homosexual coalition WITH Moslem leaders in the country. Traditionally, in Uganda, these groups have hated each other, are always in a state of civil war. Especially with the militant Tabliq sect. But Ssempa makes war with his own, and treats with the Moslems… in the name of the anti-gay agenda. So, does he realy believe in Christ? Personally, I don’t know. And of course I am biased.

Ssempa is positively combative.

He goes out of his way to look for 'enemies'. Definition, anyone who believes differently from him. I was suprised, and not suprised by his personal attack on Major Rubaramira. Surely, surely, a person who is not HIV positive would not attack another one who is like that? But that is the man, Ssempa. He glories in taking on 'heavy weights'. No, homosexuals tend to be minors, which begs the question why we came to be so much in his gun sights. But from Pastor Kayanja through attacking USAID and PSI for marketing condoms, his is a fundamentalist view. There is no middle ground. Either you are with him, or you are not. And if you are not, then beware. You are apostate. A homosexual, or a homosexual sympathiser. One of his beefs about Kayanja was that he had never gone to Ssempa's demonstrations against homosexuality. Sometimes I wonder why this need for outrageous statements....! Another Lukyamuzi characteristic.

So, why have I written this?

Sometimes, life’s a chess game. I am bearding the lion, in his den. I can guess what he would try to do in the face of my epistle. Thing is, will he do it? Oh, I know he is petty and vindictive. His question to Major Rubaramira was full of that core spite.

gug