Uganda: 100 Babies Dead - NGO Wants U.S. Missionary Prosecuted in Virginia - allAfrica.com

Missionary Renee Bach, who runs a local non-governmental organisation called Serving His Children in eastern Uganda, is being accused of representing herself as a doctor, and treating children in her care. She allegedly took children with malnutrition from local hospitals to "treat" them at her organisation - and some of them died.

Gimbo Zubeda and Kakai Rose from Masese in Jinja District alongside civil society organisation, Women's Probono Initiative, are suing Bach for the actions they allege led to the death of their children while in her care.

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The complainants are asking the Jinja High Court in Uganda to shut down Bach's organisation. They say the actions of Bach led to the death of over 100 children, "violating their right to access adequate treatment, the right to health of the children, the right to life, the right to be free from discrimination on the basis of race and social economic standing and the right to dignity, freedom from torture, inhuman and degrading treatment".

Uganda: 100 Babies Dead - NGO Wants U.S. Missionary Prosecuted in Virginia - allAfrica.com

When White Saviorism Turns Deadly: American missionary played doctor, children died, when will…

When I first visited Uganda in 2010, I was 20-years-old and chalk-full of the white savior complex. I volunteered for 3 months at an orphanage in Jinja, Uganda and I really believed I was making a difference. I fundraised for my trip, raising thousands of dollars from family and friends to fill a role that was absolutely not necessary, even though I believed it was. The Ugandan women who cared for the children in the home were far better equipped to love and care for these children. They knew the culture, language and were a constant in the lives of the at-risk kids who came into care.

One of the hardest but most important lessons I have learned over the last 8 years has been that good intentions are not good enough. No matter how well meaning I have been or continue to be, the impact of my actions on the community I claim to be helping far outweighs my goodwill.

While in Jinja my white savior complex was only reinforced as I met other young, white American women who had moved to this same town. I watched in awe of young women who moved halfway across the world at age 18 with no experience, no college education. They were starting organizations and adopting children. How amazing? If they could do it, why not me? So I did. With only a bachelors degree and little-to-no experience, I co-founded an NGO in the same town as Renee Bach and her project - “Serving His Children.”

When White Saviorism Turns Deadly: American missionary played doctor, children died, when will…:

American Citizen Arrested in Kampala for Assaulting Hotel Employee | Kampala Post

The police in Kampala have arrested an American citizen for assaulting one of the workers of Grand Imperial Hotel.

Footage from security television cameras installed showed a foreigner, identified later as Mr Jimmy .L.Taylor punching and humiliating a hotel employee.

Upon police efforts to effect his arrest Taylor spat on, turned rowdy, uncontrollable and tried to disarm policemen.
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The suspect who claims to be a missionary and an ex US Marine is currently detained at Central Police Station Kampala on charges of assault and malicious damage as investigations are ongoing .

American Citizen Arrested in Kampala for Assaulting Hotel Employee | Kampala Post

Catholic Church linked to child labor in Uganda. | Occupy The Vatican

During his November visit to Africa, the continent which now counts nearly 200m Roman Catholics, Pope Francis said that children were some of the greatest victims of Africa’s historical exploitation by other powers. He also urged young Africans to resist corruption. But should the Vatican be doing more to put its own house in order? A BBC investigation has uncovered evidence that church land in Uganda is being used for child labour.
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Now, aged 32, Mr Turyaritunga’s view on the Catholic Church has changed.

Earlier this year, Mr Turyaritunga made allegations to the BBC about child labour taking place on Church-owned land in Kabale.

He alleged that children as young as 10 were working on a tea plantation on the land, and that the Catholic Church was profiting.

Catholic Church linked to child labor in Uganda. | Occupy The Vatican

Readying U.S. pastor’s trial over anti-gay venom in Uganda | 76 CRIMES

Frank Mugisha, Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), provides an update, the most important surrounding Martin Ssempa.  I personally believe since Ssemp is a US citizen, he should be facing the same charges as Lively but my basis for sucjh is justmy disdain for the entire operation.

In early 2015, it was learned that [anti-gay Uganda Pastor] Martin Ssempa is a U.S. citizen, which means he is subject to the U.S. court’s jurisdiction. In May, SMUG requested that the court issue a subpoena, which is a command by a court for a non-party witness to give testimony and produce documents relevant to the issues in the case.  With this subpoena, SMUG seeks to question Ssempa under oath concerning his work with Lively and his involvement in the persecution of the LGBTI community. It is important to emphasize that Ssempa is not a party to this case. He is not himself being sued; SMUG is only seeking his testimony.
The court granted SMUG’s request and issued the subpoena in early May. Since the court’s order, SMUG’s lawyers have attempted to serve Ssempa with the subpoena in order to question him and recover documents from him, but have been unable to locate him.  He has disappeared from social media as well as his TV show and has not been seen publicly.  According to some reports, Ssempa may have disappeared in an attempt to avoid the subpoena.  For example, see [“Pastor Martin Ssempa Summoned: The Question Is, Where Is He And Should We Be Concerned?” on the Uganda Gospel Life blog.]

Readying U.S. pastor’s trial over anti-gay venom in Uganda | 76 CRIMES

On Trial for Crime Against Humanity, Homophobe Scott Lively Begs for Cash | Advocate.com

Scott Lively has been a busy little beaver the past month.   According to The Advocate, SMUG has been able to push their case forward.

Antigay Massachusetts pastor Scott Lively is having a hard time — he's currently on trial, facing a lawsuit accusing him of a crime against humanity. Lively is also broke, according to a frantic message he posted on his website last week.

Lively is spending time in a Springfield, Mass. courtroom where a judge is deciding whether to bring a precedent-setting lawsuit to trial. A Ugandan LGBT group called Sexual Minorities Uganda sued Lively over his trips to the nation in the last decade, where, they claim, he convinced local legislators to embrace antigay laws that cost them their freedom, comfort, and privacy.

The Ugandan gay rights group says Lively not only delivered hateful speeches against LGBT people, calling them "brutal," "savage," and harboring a predilection toward pedophilia, he worked with lawmakers to actively take away their rights and put them in harm's way.

In 2009 a bill was introduced in Uganda's Parliament that called for certain consensual gay sex acts to be punishable by death. It never became law; a version calling for life imprisonment did, but it was struck down by the nation's highest court. Still, homosexuality remains illegal in Uganda. Many Ugandan LGBT people live in constant fear of violence, and local gay leaders have been killed. SMUG says Lively is partly to blame for the dangerous environment and should be convicted of a crime against humanity.

SMUG was able to bring the case to court under a statute allowing foreigners to sue Americans in U.S. federal court. Lively is trying to get the case tossed out and denies he's responsible for the horrible conditions that LGBT Ugandans live under.

Where The Advocate only touches on his fundraising, Right Wing Watch goes to town,

Lively bragged that he is being targeted by gay activists because his Abiding Truth Ministries is "one of the most feared and hated pro-family organizations in the world ... because we know more about the history, strategies and tactics of their movement than just about anyone on our side." The downside of being so "feared" is that he is now facing a lawsuit stemming from his anti-gay activism in Uganda, which is why Lively was begging for donations:

My friends, SMUG v Lively is truly a David v Goliath battle. I’m running a one-man office on a shoestring budget of less than $120,000 per year, provided almost entirely by donations of $50 and $100 from average people. Our donor base is small, mostly elderly, and very difficult to expand due to the success of the anti-Lively propaganda. While Liberty Counsel has been funding our legal defense, this lawsuit has nevertheless caused us major financial hardship and seriously threatens our future.

Frankly, I question whether ATM will survive the decade without greater support from the individuals scattered across the society who recognize the danger of the LGBT agenda and are willing to stand with us financially against it. That can only happen if the people who already support us encourage their like-minded friends and allies to donate to us.

In a separate "letter to the international pro-family movement," Lively declared that "the Leaders and Activists of the LGBT movement are malicious deceivers and evil-doers, deliberately subverting civilized society and viciously attacking all opponents to advance their selfish and self-destructive interests" and called for anti-gay activists to focus on preventing the passage of antidiscrimination ordinances that protect sexual orientation in places where they don't already exist and repealing them where they do.

On Trial for Crime Against Humanity, Homophobe Scott Lively Begs for Cash | Advocate.com

Outbreak of anti-LGBTI attacks in Uganda | 76 CRIMES

Here are some brief accounts of the past 5 days [October LGBTQI violence] in Uganda.

• On the 17th October, SMUG’s administrator Diane Bakuraira was attacked at the gate of her home. Her attackers told her to stop dressing like a man, while repeatedly punching her in the face.
• On the same day, Jay Mulucha and Apako Williams — known transgender activists — were attacked in the night at a sports bar called Legends, frequented by rugby players and sports fans. Apako and Jay had bottles flung at them, and group of rugby players repeatedly punched them. The bouncers of the bar joined in. Their bleeding bodies were flung against the metal bars at the back of the police van. Instead of arresting the attackers, these known national rugby players were escorted to their cars by the police.
• Beyonce Karungi was attacked on Sunday night, 18th October at her home. She shares this home with four other trans women. They were all threatened, as the attackers (men) threatened to cut off their testicles. On the 21st October on her way to find a place to stay, Beyonce faced another group of men determined to kill her. She says that while she was being assaulted, the attackers kept saying, “Let’s remove her teeth.”
• On the 20th October 2015, Joseph, a trans woman, was attacked by a known blackmailer. Sometime back, Joseph was being blackmailed by a man known to her. She filed a case at the police station and the file remains open as investigations continue. She faces repeated violence and threats.

Outbreak of anti-LGBTI attacks in Uganda | 76 CRIMES

Scott Lively, Due On Trial For “Crimes Against Humanity” Early 2016, Will Be Represented By Kim Davis’s Law Firm

But…he takes care of homeless people. And he’s a Family Man. And he is a Pastor.  And he found a way to put his life together — and then some — after 16 years of struggle. And…

He is one of the most dangerous people walking on the face of the earth today.

He’s due to go to trial near the beginning of 2016. Guess who’s representing him?

The case, filed in 2012, is expected to go to trial early next year in a U.S. district court in Massachusetts….

Lively is represented by Liberty Counsel, a Christian law firm that also represents Kim Davis, the Kentucky clerk who was recently jailed for her refusal to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

That’s right. Liberty Counsel — the hate group currently supporting Kim Davis.
And when it comes to Kim Davis herself, according to the Religion News Service, Lively complimented her “courage and commitment.”

Right. You know what takes “courage and commitment”? People who have to be in hiding from the laws Lively allegedly helped pass who, nevertheless, go on national television and speak against them.

I have posted quite a bit about Lively and his anti-gay antics, but not much concerning his upcoming trial (my bad).  Quite frankly his trial falls under an area of law - the Alien Tort Statute (ATS) - I have no knowledge of. According to the Center for Constitutional Rights (CRR):

This is the first ATS case seeking accountability for persecution on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity as a crime against humanity. The United States Supreme Court has affirmed the use of the ATS as a remedy for serious violations of international law that are widely accepted and clearly defined. Persecution is defined in international law as the "intentional and severe deprivation of fundamental rights contrary to international law by reason of the identity of the group or collectivity." Lively – a U.S.-based attorney, author, and self-described world-leading expert on the “gay movement” – has traveled to Uganda and other countries, including Russia, and played a key role in the effort to strip LGBTI people of fundamental rights, including the rights to free expression, association, and assembly.

I am sure with Liberty Counsel now at the helm of his defense, we will be hearing about how Lively is such a martyr for the Christian cause.

Scott Lively, Due On Trial For “Crimes Against Humanity” Early 2016, Will Be Represented By Kim Davis’s Law Firm

Mass. pastor Scott Lively faces possible fine for harsh anti-gay efforts in Uganda - Religion News Service

A lawsuit by Sexual Minorities Uganda, an LGBT advocacy group, alleges that Lively conspired with Ugandan religious and political leaders since 2002 to strip gays of their rights in that country that has resulted in housing and employment discrimination, arrest, torture and the murder of gays and lesbians. The case, filed in 2012, is expected to go to trial early next year in a U.S. district court in Massachusetts. If convicted, Lively could face a fine.

“He’s very clear that you have to silence LGBT people and eradicate them politically,” said Pam Spees, an attorney with the Center for Constitutional Rights, a New York-based nonprofit that is representing the Ugandan advocacy group in the case.
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Sexual Minorities Uganda and the Center for Constitutional Rights contend that Lively’s presentations in workshops in 2009 and 2012 influenced a 2013 Uganda law, which initially called for life in prison for people who engage in same-sex relations. Later the law was revised to also punish individuals or groups that support gays. After international outrage, the constitutional court in Uganda overturned the law in August 2014 on a technicality, but lawmakers have said they will revive the bill.

Critics say another proposed law, which seeks to restrict nonprofits from operating in Uganda, could also be used to outlaw groups working with LGBT people.

“The situation there is very fraught and perilous,” Spees said. “There are so many violations happening in Uganda, and people are suffering. This case is part of a larger effort to keep it from getting worse.”

Mass. pastor Scott Lively faces possible fine for harsh anti-gay efforts in Uganda - Religion News Service

UPDATED::Football manager convicted of sodomy in Uganda | Gay Star News

UPDATE::  As I suspected, there was a bit more to the story.  Although the initial report notes two victims, the line between the two was blurred and I didn't catch it.

Several media outlets missed a key fact in their coverage of the 10-year prison sentence imposed Sept. 18 on Chris Mubiru, a former manager of Uganda’s national football (soccer) team, The Cranes.

The conviction was for non-consensual sodomy. Mubiru was acquitted of a similar charge in a consensual sexual encounter.

Uganda: Missing the point in 10-year sentence for sodomy

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From the sources cited, this incident sounds more like rape - Court was told that Nyanzi was drugged by Mubiru before he was sodomised - than anything else.

Chris Mubiru, the former boss of Sports Club Villa, has been convicted of sodomy in Kampala,

Uganda three years after explicit pictures of him having sex with another man appeared in the country’s press.

According to Uganda’s Daily Monitor, the man was found ‘guilty of having carnal knowledge of his victim’ Emmanuel Nyanzi.

Buganda Road Chief magistrate Flavia Nabakooza added that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

Mubiru was acquitted on a second count of sodomy because his partner, George Oundo, consented.
Murbiru’s sentence has yet to be announced; according to SMSMediaUganda he will be sentenced on September 18.

In July a doctor claimed Mubiru, who also managed Uganda Cranes, was tortured to ‘prove’ he’s not gay, after he was outed by Ugandan tabloid Red Pepper in 2012. He was first arrested in 2009.

Football manager convicted of sodomy in Uganda | Gay Star News

A Heartbreaking Story From One of the World's Most Transphobic Places | Jonny von Wallström

When President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda signed the Anti-Homosexuality Bill into law, he changed the lives of all LGBTI people in Uganda, one of the most dangerous countries for gay and transgender people. For my friend Cleopatra Kambugu, February 24, 2014, was one of the worst days of her life. In the same week, Cleo found her name on the front page of The Red Pepper, a Ugandan newspaper. She lost her job and was abandoned by most of her family. But she wasn't the only one.

With homosexuality illegal in the country, everyone was forced to conform to the norm or hide from the authority and even from their family and friends. Gay and transgender people lost their jobs and were forced to live in isolation to avoid persecution or violence, to live alone away from the people they care about. The Anti-Homosexuality Act encompasses prohibitions for all sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions that are not considered normal. So, while Cleo is not gay, she is still subject to the harsh, inhuman stipulations of the law.
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Nevertheless, the signing of the Anti-Homosexuality Act changed things for Cleo drastically. Four days after the act was signed by the Ugandan President, she found herself on the cover of The Red Pepper. Realizing that the crackdown on them had begun. Fearing for their lives, they went underground.

During this time, I received a heartbreaking letter from Cleo, telling me about the harsh effect the law had on their lives. They had been forced to live behind closed doors for over a month. With Cleo's mother coming in the nights with food and supply. Cleo was trying to get out of the country to Sweden, USA or Norway. Anything would help.

But at this time, countries like Sweden, who is known for supporting LGBTI activists in Uganda. Turned their backs to the activists. Many were refused to attend international conferences because of the fear of them overstaying their visas and that they would use it as an excuse not to go back home.

A Heartbreaking Story From One of the World's Most Transphobic Places | Jonny von Wallström

Where Do the Lies About LGBTIs in Africa Come From? | Michael Ashworth

This is an excellent example of The Religious Right’s 10-Point Playbook For Hijacking Nations: 

Shocking legislative developments have focused Western media attention on the gay rights situation across Africa like never before. Many of the column inches dedicated to Uganda's Anti Homosexuality Act have demonstrated an awareness of the complexity of the social and political landscape for African LGBTIs. The colonial provenance of the penal code provisions which outlaw same-sex intercourse has been explored. The claims that "homosexuality is unAfrican" have been shown to be false, thanks to a wealth of anthropological evidence to the contrary. The incoherence of using a religion imposed on Africa by proselytising European missionaries to decry same-sex attraction as unAfrican has not gone unnoticed. In short: on the issue of LGBTI rights in Africa, analysis has (largely) been surprisingly nuanced.

What is generally lacking from Western media, however, is an understanding of some of the most pernicious lies about LGBTIs in Africa -- and relatively few people have asked the question, 'where do the lies come from?' 

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The migration of the trope from North America to Africa can be explained through the influence of US neoconservative organisations, such as the Institute on Religion and Democracy (IRD). According to a report by the think-tank Political Research Associates, the IRD is "one of the main organizations promoting homophobia in both Africa and the United States over the last decade." The report claims that while mainstream Episcopal church funding in Africa is directed towards visible projects -- and therefore requires accountability on how money is spent -- "conservative funding pays the salaries of archbishops and their staffs," concluding that "archbishops' offices have become mouthpieces of U.S. conservatives."
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While the situation for LGBTIs across Africa is far from uniformly pessimistic, any judicial victories will be diluted by the extreme social hostility fomented by these toxic beliefs and by the American religious fundamentalists who sustain them. What is needed is a brighter spotlight shone on the role that foreigners have had in stoking anti-LGBTI hatred in Africa by co-opting postcolonial politics for their own ends. The notion that money flows from abroad to fund a 'homosexual agenda' needs to be countered forcefully with the indisputable truth that foreign money is flooding from the US to fund an insidious neoconservative agenda. The lies told about LGBTIs in Africa need to be exposed as such.

Where Do the Lies About LGBTIs in Africa Come From? | Michael Ashworth

"Together We Can Achieve'."

As some of you may recall, I posted about the plight of Baguma Berges Ronnie and his fellow LGBTQ folk in Uganda.  Besides the insidious persecution by governmental elements (encouraged by cretins such as Scott Lively, Rick Warren, and the slags that run World Congress of Families), an issue that is prevalent among the LGBTQ community is homelessness. Over the course of the past two weeks I have been discussing said issue with Baguma and how he and GRAC would like to combat it.

First, GRAC is an underground resistance group committed to reversing the draconian laws put in place by Yoweri Museveni and gaining basic human rights for all Ugandans. It is a LGBTQ "group dedicated to fighting homophobia and transphobia; and bring[ing] together all LGBTQ people irrespective of color, race, creed, religion, political party, etc. We strive to promote the rights of the sex oriented persons in a homophobic environment"  GRAC's online presence began in late 2012 with the goal, "All LGBTQ people around the world unite to fight and defeat homophobia for good!"  What started as a 10 member group currently has over 500 members; locally we dont disclose their identities in the media for security reason.

As I noted in my initial post, "homelessness is a major problem affecting the LGBTQ community and here it's worse due to impoverished communities, high levels of unemployment, etc.."  I think what struck me in our conversations, was not only Baguna's dedication to this cause, but his willingness to put his neck on the line - literally.  I was hesitant in using Baguma's full name in my initial post even though the article associated had.  Our lines crossed but he posted this in response to my query, "Please go ahead and use my name as I am an activist who wants equality for LGBTQ persons and I don't mind [being] a martyr as long as the next generation gain their freedom!"

So with that in mind, Baguma filled me in on, let's call it phase one, what he and GRAC are trying to accomplish.

I do have a few questions, do you definitely have a building in mind touse for a shelter?  I know you mentioned one is available that is in your target purchase/rental,,,

We would like to rent a building in the city suburbs which can accommodate most of the members who are homeless. This idea was brought up today after meeting with the landlord and agreed on the rates per month; though this has to be done with the help of some generous donors out there.

You mention a cost of $350, is that per month and is that amount in US dollars?

That amount is for every 3 months and its in US dollars.

And this building will be used as a shelter like facility?  Are you going to be offering any other type of services - schooling, job training - or is your focus right now just on housing?  

We are going to use the building as a shelter facility. We have a vision of setting up projects like vocational training to equip people with skills for self sustainability, but that is long range.

So, what is being asked of us?  Help in securing the funds necessary and help in spreading GRAC's cause far and wide.

Questions::  ronbaguma07@gmail.com
Donation being accepted via Paypal::Baguma Ronnie c/o. mawa@godfreymawa.com
Western Union and Money Gram are also options

One final question I had for Baguma:  Besides GRAC are there other organizations also working towards the same or similar goals?  And does GRAC have a working relationship with any of them?

Sure they are there and currently we are working with TASO for HIV/AIDS

The AIDS Support Organization (TASO) was founded in Uganda 1987 by people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA), based on common experiences faced when encountering HIV/AIDS at a time of high stigma, ignorance, and discrimination. TASO's activities include HIV/AIDS counselling, medical care, social support, training and capacity building, HIV/AIDS education and community mobilisation, and advocacy and networking.

and Youth on the Rock Foundation!

This is a mess "we" have helped create,

A bunch of conservative Christians from US are bemoaning cultural imperialism in Africa? There's a direct connection between US missionaries working within Uganda and the writing and passing of this draconian legislation. The laws that they support are artifacts of cultural imperialism.

Or do they imagine we've all forgotten that? Or do they believe Scott Lively's work time in Uganda doesn't qualify as imperialism? Out-fucking-rageous!!

It Is also a mess we can help fix!!

Top Jeb Bush Adviser Vin Weber Signs On to Lobby for Anti-Gay Uganda Government

Uganda hired Mercury Public Affairs, Weber’s firm, for a $50,000 per month retainer with Weber as the only registered lobbyist on the account. The contract calls for Mercury to provide general “lobbying services” as well as communication services to promote trade and investment opportunities in Uganda.

Weber joined the Bush campaign effort in February as an outside adviser. According to the Washington Post, Weber has worked behind the scenes to develop ties between Bush and major donors and conservative leaders. He told the Post in June that he intends to “coordinate policy” for the campaign.
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The anti-LGBT laws proposed in Uganda have found support from some religious right figures in the American conservative movement. According to journalist Jeff Sharlet, Ugandan politician David Bahati, the sponsor of Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act, is a member of a conservative Christian organization known as The Family, whose members include Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Ok., Jim DeMint, and Tom Coburn.

Religious right figures Bryan Fischer and Lou Engle have also provided praised the effort. (Notably, Hillary Clinton is one of a very small group of Democrats to attend private Capitol Hill prayer services organized by The Family.)

Top Jeb Bush Adviser Vin Weber Signs On to Lobby for Anti-Gay Uganda Government

A Chat with an Activist from Uganda - Proud Queer (PQ Monthly - Daily Online)

If you have followed my blog long enough you will know that one issue I follow is the Reich's exportation of hate via Scott Lively and the crew over at NOM.  Although there are many players in this game (Bryan Fischer, Liberty Counsel, Mike Bickle, World Congress of Families [1], and Rick Warren to name a few) these are in my opinion two of the major players, or the ones garnering the most attention with their vile rhetoric.  As you may recall, it began in earnest with Uganda [2], and the "Kill the Gays Bill".  It then jump to Russia and Putin's dalliance with members of the Reich.  Ireland has also been touched by the hate and it looks as if Australia is now in the cross-hairs. [3]

But through all the various postings, one thing has been missing, personal stories and experiences, that is about to change.  Like the author, I "was messaged by a gay male Ugandan who friended me on Facebook,,,[w]e began to talk regularly[4] and I realized that a lot of us don’t understand the real situation happening in Uganda." Although the authors interest in the situation in Uganda appears a bit more personal,

I found out that the president of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni, had a very close advisor that made me remember every excruciating minute of high school when (the failed) Measure 9 was being fought in Oregon. Scott Lively, for those who don’t know, was the second in command of the Oregons Citizen’s Alliance (OCA), a Focus-on-the-Family-type group and he wrote a charming little book titled, The Pink Swastika, Homosexuality and the Nazi Party.

Carroll's interview is enlightening,

The problems in Uganda are complicated and widespread—including extreme poverty (the average Ugandan makes $510 dollars a year, according to WHO, and $600 a year according to my interview subject), limited access to education (half of school age students live 5km from the nearest school and most people are on foot), skyrocketing HIV rates, and an ongoing conflict with Rwanda. Add that to the fact that according to a 2007 Pew Global Attitudes Project poll, 96% of Ugandans say they agree with punishing homosexuality, it makes for a very hostile and dangerous environment for all LGBT Ugandans.
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 PQ: You have an organization, called the Gay Rights Activist Club, what are the goals for the club? What would you like to see? 
Baguma: Concerning goals for the club, GRAC, Gay Rights Activist Club, we are here to promote the rights of gays, fight homophobia, create sustainability, and provide basics like: shelter, food, and medical care for Ugandans.[5]
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PQ Monthly: Is it hard to find employment as a gay person in Kampala?
Baguma: I feel it vital to tell you about gay prostitutes who are mostly found in affluent suburbs of Kampala, and their clients are mostly whites and Asian executives. Places for gays to pick up include; Buziga, Ntinda, Wandegeya, where there are cozy bars.

I'm personally looking forward to information and experiences that Baguma may be able to share.  Not only is he looking for support in attempting to house the homeless , but ideas as well to combat the hatred.

A Chat with an Activist from Uganda - Proud Queer (PQ Monthly - Daily Online)

[1]   World congress of Families as I have discovered recently is a much bigger player than I realized.
[2]   I have not yet seen the full documentary by VICE as I am attempting to obtain a copy.  As noted in my orgianl post David Badash offers a nice summary.  For another perspective to the same, see "World's Worst Place to be Gay?" (2014, BBC).
[3]  Do a bit of digging and you will find that Faust is "sponsored" by none other than Alliance Defending Freedom.
[4]  I have just recently "met" Baguma and our personal dialogue is just beginning.  And it was I that contacted him via a mutual friend who thought I may be interested.
[5]  The existence of GRAC was a point that Baguma noted as well, when in conversation, I mentioned that homelessness withing the LGBTQ community is a world wide problem.

His reply, "Sure homelessness is a major problem affecting the LGBTQ community and here it's worse due to impoverished communities, high levels of unemployment, etc.."

It appears that the plight of the homeless is an issue of concern when he sent the enclosed photo, with the following caption, "Where can you put all that number of persons as you can see."

NOM Chairman Defends Uganda Anti-Gay Law, Suggests Gay 'Recruitment' The Real Human Rights Abuse | Right Wing Watch

Maggie Gallagher, Brian Brown and "now" John Eastman. NOM's hatred of all things LGBTQI is shining brightly as usual.  What started out as a religious organization seeking to influence voters and legislatures to limit the civil rights of others based upon the teachings of the Catholic Church, has now "grown" to an international juggernaut of sadistic evil spouting hate wherever they land.

Eastman quoted Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni’s insistence that the new law was “provoked by western groups who come to our schools and try to recruit children into homosexuality." Noting that US aid restrictions prevent assistance from going to governments that commit human rights violations, including the failure to take “appropriate and adequate measures” to “protect children from exploitation,” Eastman implied that the real “exploitation” was coming from gay rights advocates recruiting children.

He also suggested that US opposition to laws criminalizing homosexuality hinders efforts to fight HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa. (In fact, experts say that the criminalization of homosexuality hurts the effort to fight the epidemic.)

What is farcical concerning Eastman's statement, consider the following comments from Joe.My.God:

But what struck me the most is how he waxes outrages about how US aid might be cut off to select African nations because of their tendency to commit genocide against gay people. He becomes emotional as he emphasizes how important these aid programs are. But this man cares not a whit about these aid programs. He never once in his entire public career ever uttered a word about them. And his party generally opposes foreign aid and constantly seeks to cut it.
__________
A bunch of conservative Christians from US are bemoaning cultural imperialism in Africa? There's a direct connection between US missionaries working within Uganda and the writing and passing of this draconian legislation. The laws that they support are artifacts of cultural imperialism.

Or do they imagine we've all forgotten that? Or do they believe Scott Lively's work time in Uganda doesn't qualify as imperialism? Out-fucking-rageous.

Both of which ring true specially in regards to the British colonial origins of anti-gay laws and Scott Lively.

NOM Chairman Defends Uganda Anti-Gay Law, Suggests Gay 'Recruitment' The Real Human Rights Abuse | Right Wing Watch

'I Kill Them!': HBO's VICE Goes To Uganda To See What American Anti-Gay Christians Have Created - The New Civil Rights Movement

“We keep on being told that religion, whatever its imperfections, at least instills morality. On every side, there is conclusive evidence that the contrary is the case and that faith causes people to be more mean, more selfish, and perhaps above all, more stupid.”

― Christopher Hitchens

In my previous post concerning Rev. Anthony Musaala's presentation at All Saints Parish LGBT Task Force, Gadoua, in her piece, makes mention of Vice's “A Prayer for Uganda".  The documentary aired last month on HBO highlighting the anti-gay atmosphere present in Uganda.



David Badash at The New Civil Rights Movement summarizes the theme along with the role of US based evangelicals:

In the VICE episode, [Member of Parliament David] Bahati refuses to name any one of his American partners, but [U.S. Senator James] Inhofe is clearly one. Also among Bahati’s supporters and partners are Scott Lively, Pastor Rick Warren, Sharon Slater, and the World Congress of Families. And Bahati makes clear he and his country support the culture these American Christian extremists have brought to Uganda — one that teaches, falsely, that gay people are all pedophiles, homosexuality is a choice, it is evil, and children must be protected from it at all costs. 

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What the clip above does not show, but the VICE episode does, is that American Christians have brought this culture to Uganda. While the nation has never been gay friendly, the country's war on homosexuality is a direct response to the teachings of American Christians.

Remember Lively is facing trial for "crimes against humanity" for his role in Uganda; he is also notorious for exporting his hate to Russia.  As HRC noted last September,

Scott Lively is the head of Abiding Truths Ministry in Springfield, Massachusetts and is known around the world for his notorious work successfully advocating for anti-LGBT laws in Uganda that could send LGBT people to prison for life. In fact, Lively has traveled the world over presenting himself as an expert on LGBT issues, urging lawmakers to crack down on LGBT rights and the right of free expression.

In 2007, Lively wrote in “Letter to the Russian People,” “Homosexuality is a personality disorder that involves various often dangerous sexual addictions and aggressive anti-social impulses.”

'I Kill Them!': HBO's VICE Goes To Uganda To See What American Anti-Gay Christians Have Created - The New Civil Rights Movement

Ugandan Priest Rev. Anthony Musaala: LGBT People Are Fleeing The Country To Escape Violence

This is what Scott Lively and his crew of hate mongers are responsible for:

A growing number of LGBT Ugandans are fleeing to neighboring Kenya to escape violence and persecution, a Ugandan Catholic priest says.

People are beaten, raped, evicted and dismissed from their jobs because of their sexual identity or orientation, the Rev. Anthony Musaala said during a talk at All Saints Catholic Church as part of a monthlong visit to the United States and Canada.

Even associating with or advocating for LGBT people may spur discrimination, he said.

Musaala, who spoke at the invitation of the All Saints Parish LGBT Task Force, estimates 500 gay and lesbian Ugandans are seeking asylum in Kenya. He recently met with U.N. officials, seeking increased financial support and human services for resettling “sexual refugees.”

He supports a worldwide refugee program for people affected by anti-gay policies and violence.
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Musaala now works with Ark Communes, which creates safe housing communities for LGBT people in Kenya, and he used his talk as an occasion to ask for donations for the organization.

Ugandan political and religious leaders say Westerners brought homosexuality to the country. But Musaala criticizes American evangelicals who “parachuted into Uganda and started spreading their message of hate.”

Should it be any surprise that THE Church took action against his work,

In March 2013, Musaala wrote a paper challenging priestly celibacy and criticizing African priests who abuse minors or father children and abandon them. His archbishop, Cyprian Lwanga, said the paper “damages the good morals of the Catholic believers and faults the church’s teaching.” He suspended Musaala indefinitely from priestly duties, which means the priest cannot celebrate the sacraments.

Ugandan Priest Rev. Anthony Musaala: LGBT People Are Fleeing The Country To Escape Violence

Uganda President Sent Book on Homosexuality in Animals as Christmas Gift - SexualDiversity.Org

This lovely little bombshell was dropped in my lap thanks to Vegan.eu (@Veganeu) on Twitter. I find it absolutely priceless,,,

Uganda's President Receives a Book on Homosexuality in Animals as a Christmas Present...

The German online dating company Gleichklang.de (http://www.gleichklang.de) has sent a book on homosexuality in animals to the president of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni.

"Biological Exuberance - Animal Homosexuality and Natural Diversity" was written by the Canadian biologist Bruce Bagemihl.

The book documents homosexual behavior in more than 450 animal species.

Uganda President Sent Book on Homosexuality in Animals as Christmas Gift - SexualDiversity.Org

Witch doctor cut me up at age 10 to cure me of being a lesbian | Gay Star News

I have been watching this story as it become know, wondering how one goes about "proving" one's self as being a lesbian,,,

At the age of 10, a tomboy-ish Ugandan girl was escorted by her grandmother to a witch doctor to 'cure' her of being a lesbian.

With razors, they sliced deep on her joints to force the 'demons' in her blood out. She would then be forced to sleep in a 'house of spirits'. This went on once a week, twice a week, sometimes daily for a year.

This is what happeneed to Judith Twikirize, now 23 and living in the UK. She faces deportation back to Uganda on Monday (8 December).

Terrified and suicidal, she is dreading going back fearing imprisonment and attacks. This is where she says she was tortured, abandoned by friends and family, and her girlfriend was poisoned.

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They believed they had spirits in me. They cut all my joints with razors, very deep, the blood which has spirits in - if it goes out then new blood will come in. That's how thought I would be healed.'

She said it was very painful, and she would spend weeks unable to walk because they squeezed the cuts so hard. The house of spirits where she spent the night was 'terrifying', leaving her unable to sleep at night at all.

Finally, her grandmother told her why the teachers and her thought she had demons in her head - she was a tomboy. They were afraid she would grow up to be a lesbian. That's when she realised she would act feminine, ready to do anything to stop the cutting.

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When she faced a judge, the UK government rejected that she was a lesbian as her ex-British partner did not provide evidence. When Twikirize said they broke up on bad terms, the Home Office said this was not a satisfactory explanation.

Her activism was rejected as she has only been doing it for a year.

When it was put forward that Twikirize was put on Red Pepper's February list of 'top homos', meaning she will very likely be the target of violence when she returns, this was also rejected.

The judge reportedly said that when Twikirize came to the UK, she did not seek out the help of gay women, so she could not be a lesbian. Twikirize said since her mother abandoned her, she finds it very difficult to open up to women and it is easier to talk to men.

While the UK government have appeared to have made their decision, some new information could change their minds.

Witch doctor cut me up at age 10 to cure me of being a lesbian | Gay Star News

UPDATE::  UK gives Uganda lesbian, victim of torture and exorcism, reprieve from being deported

But thanks to a judicial review lodged by her solicitor, hours before the plane left the airport, she's been given a small chance. Twikirize is now in a detention centre waiting for a decision to be made.

UPDATE #2:: UK will not deport Uganda lesbian, victim of torture and exorcism, for now

A Ugandan lesbian who was tortured to 'cure' her will not be deported from the UK - for now.

Judith Twikirize, 23, is walking free after a sudden decision to release her from Yarl's Wood detention centre last night (18 December).

While she has not been granted asylum, the UK government has agreed to look at new evidence before they make their next decision.

Twikirize has told GSN she feels like the 'fear of death' is no longer on her back.

Independent doctors at Medical Justice, as well as those at the detention centre, have determined the scars she bears are the same as those who suffer a horrific form of 'gay cure' therapy in Uganda.