Uganda bans 38 agencies it says are promoting gay rights Report By David McKenzie, CNN June 21, 2012 -- - The ban comes in the wake of a police raid on a gay rights activists' meeting
- The ethics minister says the organizations were "pretending to work" in human rights
- Homosexuality is illegal in Uganda, as it is in many other African countries
Nairobi, Kenya (CNN) -- The Ugandan government said Wednesday it will ban at least 38 nongovernmental agencies it says are promoting gay rights and recruiting children into homosexuality. "We have investigated them thoroughly and we have found their sponsors," said Ethics Minister Simon Lokodo. "We will ask them to step aside and stop pretending to work in human rights." "Some NGOs, under the pretext of providing social services, are receiving funds to promote homosexuality," he said. The organizations -- both international and local -- will lose their registrations and no longer be able to operate in Uganda. He did not name the groups on the list. Why is Uganda attacking homosexuality? Uganda gay rights "The sooner they are phased out, the better," he said. Homosexuality is illegal in Uganda, as it is in many African countries, and legislation is pending in parliament that could bring even harsher penalties for gays. At one point the bill included life imprisonment and even the death penalty. That provision was dropped, under intense pressure from donor countries, but several Ugandan politicians still plan to push it through parliament. "We are resolutely opposed to the bill," said U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland on Tuesday. "We think it's inconsistent with Uganda's international human rights obligations, and this just sets a bad, bad precedent in the neighborhood." The announcement of the ban comes in the wake of a police raid Monday that disrupted a gay rights activists' workshop in the Ugandan capital, Kampala. Amnesty International and participating groups called the raid "illegal." The police detained the participants for several hours, Amnesty said, cordoning off the hotel and questioning more than a dozen people. All were later released without charge. "This continued harassment and intimidation of human rights activists must stop and the police need to start adhering to the laws they are supposed to protect and enforce," said Michelle Kagari, Amnesty's deputy director for Africa. A police spokesperson would not comment on the matter.
 Article posted on June 18, 2012 by Colin Stewart in ERASING 76 CRIMES. Colin Stewart, a 40-year journalism veteran, is publisher of the "Erasing 76 Crimes" blog. Police raided an LGBT rights workshop today in Uganda’s capital, Kampala. Amnesty International reported in a press statement that the session, attended by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) activists, was organized by the the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project, which is organizing a series of workshops to improve the local gay community’s ability to report rights abuses. At least five staff members from the rights organization were arrested along with 12 participants, Amnesty International said, according to the Egypt-based Bikya Masr news website. Participants were from Canada, Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. Some reportedly escaped before the police arrived, having been warned by members of the media that police were on their way. Police forced their way into some activists’ hotel rooms, the AFP news service reported. London-based Amnesty International urged police to stop harassing the LGBT community in Uganda. Michelle Kagari, Amnesty International’s deputy director for Africa, said: “This ludicrous and senseless harassment of human rights activists has no basis in law whatsoever and has to stop. “We are seeing a worrying pattern emerging whereby the Ugandan authorities engage in arbitrary activities deliberately designed to intimidate and threaten legitimate human rights work.” “The participants in this workshop had done absolutely nothing wrong and we call on the police to end this outrageous behaviour which makes a mockery of Uganda’s human rights obligations.” In a similar action in February, Ugandan ethics minister Simon Lokodo and police broke up a gay rights workshopin Entebbe that he declared an “illegal assembly.” In March, gay rights activists sued Lokodo. They said Lokodo’s disruption of the workshop violated their constitutionally guaranteed freedom of assembly. More recently, Lokodo threatened legal action against a proposed conference in Uganda at which religious and political leaders would discuss the effects of the country’s laws against homosexuality.
 The bizarre of an LGBTQ community in the midst of hilarity that is at cross roads, the ambiance of which is leading to massive death tolls. It is was extremely both shocking and disheartening when life threatening revelations were brought to our attention by our informed sources, that unsuspecting young gay men below the ages of 20 are increasingly becoming pray or vulnerable to the deadly HIV disease, inflicted upon them by unconcerned adults who already know their positive status. Many organizations have done their part in educating Men who have Sex with other Men (MSM) and sex workers on safer sex practices, but this information seems not to have come through to the younger generation, who are vibrantly and increasingly discovering their sexual orientation, as gays. Some are not on social networks, or are in a position to access health services or other information. Their driving force is in the easy acquisition of Money that is dangled in front of their sight. The more money you give to them, the more likable you become and less suspected. And true to the saying, ‘All that glitters is not gold’; these young men find themselves trapped in the reality of getting hooked up with wrong company, the dangers of which cannot be weighed against. While they are drawn and mirrored into the stupor of merriment and amiable fun, their health increasingly becomes at cross roads, with high chances of being infected. Use of protection never becomes a priority in their lifestyles because of lack of proper information. Reliable sources from Mombasa and parts of Nairobi Counties, informed us that it is becoming fashionable for some older HIV infected gay men and or MSM with no regard and respect of others lives and quality health rights, are deliberately luring and infecting young unsuspecting gay men who are still in schools or colleges. Traumatized One saddening story is that of a young gay man who is under the age of 18, came to seek refuge in Nairobi after being denounced and rejected by his parents and relatives, hoping to get security and other helpful services. In his plight older gay men took advantage of him and he contracted HIV/ Aids. He is now traumatized and ostracized. He has even contemplated on committing suicide on various occasions. Other incidences include, some older sex workers taking advantage of younger cute boys and selling them off to brothels for money and also with an offer of a better lifestyle. This young boys drop out of school and eventually lose focus in life. They end up becoming full time sex workers. We believe that as much as sex work is work no one should dare lure another, especially underage gay men into sex work for selfish gains. We want to inform the culprits that it is punishable by law to deliberately infect another or others with HIV. It is also punishable by law to engage or lure a minor into any kind of sexual acts. Sex can only occur between to consenting adults. We therefore ask anyone with any information that will help us track and crack the whip on these culprits, to contact us on [email protected] or any other resident LGBTI organization.
 Dear my fellow comrades,
Happy Father's day!
I am certain that, by the great mercies and favor of the ever-loving and everlasting Father, He will sustain our physical and spiritual well being and unity as one body and one unique community. These we can never be denied off. In fact out of the dark we will end up shinning like the morning star.
I remember the last time I checked, a section of our beloved community, the precious ‘gay brotherhood’ were being lynched crudely, and unfairly, in the guise of cleansing evil deeds, and outing gay people from the community. Another had written in the daily Nation newspaper on the 27th of February in a small comment, that homosexuality and abortion are satanic by all religious standards.
First of all, I want to acknowledge that we are greater than all the hullabaloo and hypocrisy that is eating up into our space. We can never be auctioned or be faced out. I think it is high time that my brothers and sisters from the other side get the hell out of, our meticulous advancement. When will they ever understand that they are just wasting their energy and time trying to change us?
The religious bigotry and societal tirades that have been brought against us are of no use and meaning. They are demeaning and don’t add value or a single strand of hair on our heads, nor does it threaten our existences. It only seeks to deny us of a respectable and humanitarian operational space. I believe in God and I know He loves me the way I am. I also believe in family values, that’s where I was raised. So, what has it to do with my sexual orientation?
We have done both justice and injustice to ourselves, this is in equal measures, using all available resources to seduce and justify our existence to the heterosexual world. They are just slippery people with selfish interests. I don’t believe that, from the onset we should be forced to justify ourselves, because we are, and we shall be, world without end.
We have been mused as scarecrows to the kids, yet we are just exercising the rights of our existence. If I was hetero I would comfortably live and practice heterosexuality without bothering those around me. As a gay person I want the same space accorded to me. I can’t allow myself to be boxed into pseudo-sexuality of sorts of which the repercussions are unbearable.
Members of my brotherhood, the journey seems to be too long but the fruits of a well groomed tree will be eventually tasteful and bearing. Do not despair, just hung in there, for the joy of a successful struggle will last forever more.
I want to bid you a ceaseless bye and wish all of us an eventful and pragmatic period. We are a chosen generation full of transmogrification.
Finally, Martin Luther King Jr said in his quote that; ‘the hope of a secure and livable world lies with disciplined nonconformists who are dedicated to justice, peace and brotherhood.’ And like Abraham Lincoln, I hope to stand firm enough to not go backward and yet not to go forward fast enough to wreck the gay community’s cause.
Yours comrade
On behalf of TREE-K
Peter Wanyama
 The writer Cole Mutahi of TSR, recently did a commendable job of bringing out this saddening story.. . .always thought to be the reserve of human rights activists only.........
You know, at times when epithets and homophobic slurs are hurled at us like Molotov cocktails, it becomes hard to put that convenient heartless bitch shell we always put without feeling irked. So, when Jo-C first called me regarding today’s guest, I had mixed feelings. I’m not an activist or a rights enthusiast but what I know is that I’ve sipped some ‘not-so-cheap’ coffee with a good number of them and also have a valuable category of them on my cellphone. You just never know when or where homophobes may strike. After a series of postponements and avoiding the whole dialogue I'd to make up my mind.
This is a great kid with dreams just like yours truly and in as much as the emphasis may be largely monetary, there is need to look at the social bit of it. How many kids at his age have embraced social evils and practice them as fulltime jobs? I’m sure T.S.R has a wealth of avid readers who have ideas to move us a little bit forward. I’ve also spoken to some of our very own individuals who have a hint of how to go about it. I’m patiently waiting for their respective rejoinders. I thought this could be wholly an interview (the way we do questions and answers) but then during our almost-an-hour phone conversation I’d to let him do all the talking with some moments where he had to collect himself after breaking down so I only asked a few questions for purposes of clarity. The Situation Room introduces to you
Abdul: My name is Abdul*.I’m 20 years old. It was on Friday 20th April, 2012 at 7p.m thereabout. I had a date to grace with this guy I was really getting a hang on. It was our second date. I was at The Soga Plag (sic) on time. We shared a great bonding time before we retreated to a room in a different location. We ran into a member of staff who was known to my partner but he assured me not to worry (I’m not living openly) and affirmed that we were safe. We never locked the door to our room. In the process of our rendezvous, the door slammed open! We attempted to take cover under the sheets but it was too late. The police were here. My friend and I were handcuffed and accompanied to the police station in our boxers. This was about 10p.m. I gathered that the staff member might have seen what we were up to and had called the authorities. There was nothing much the police could do being a weekend. The following day my mother called me to find out where I was since I’d not reported back home the previous day. The police explained to her the peculiar circumstances they had arrested me for and advised her to come on Monday. Monday We are at a room and the police are recording statements from us. My mother arrives and gets further explanation on my arrest. She cries bitterly, she says that I’m a disgrace to the entire family and that I should look for another family! I have been disowned! In the process, I sought some permission to go relieve myself at the washrooms. I escaped by taking advantage of some minor oversight of the station. I went to my best friend’s place. Apparently, the police had already been sent to look for me here earlier and I gather it’s my mother who had directed their search efforts here since he’s well known to my family. He gave me some money and advised I get out of Bujumbura to my sister who lived in a small town out of the capital. I did this the following day. When I got to my sister’s place she was surprised to see me considering it was a school day. She sensed I was hiding something but she never labored to probe further. On Wednesday my mother called her asking my whereabouts, she graciously disclosed to her I was staying at her place. I was within earshot of their phone conversation. She sent me away. I was evil and she couldn’t condone such activities in her abode. I had hit a dead end but was still in communication with my friend who suggested I go to Rwanda to my brothers. I requested him to go to my home and get me some pocket money I’d kept and/or a few personal effects. He had to do this discreetly and pretentiously. He went like a normal friend would and asked my mother whether the police had traced me. He got my bag, a few clothes, Identification and some pocket money I’d kept in my room(He’s well known in my family and can access my room as he pleases, he’s like my second brother). He left without bidding my mother bye who was occupied in the kitchen. When I got to the bus station at Rwanda, I ran into a cousin of mine. He told me I was being looked for. I was convinced my brothers had already been called and briefed of my evil. I got back into the bus which was Kampala bound. I alighted in Kampala. At the Kampala Coach stage I saw buses heading to Kenya. I remembered I had a distant relative I call ‘sister’ in the Northern part of Kenya. I got to Nairobi very late. My ‘sister’ lives and works for gain in Kakuma Refugee Camp. I’d run out of money. I met some lady at the bus station and explained to her my situation. She offered me accommodation at her place for the night. The following day I called Jo-C whom I’ve known for a while since we met online. He was traveling out of jurisdiction on official duty. He was kind enough to lend me some fare to Kakuma. When I got to Kakuma I started asking around. I sought to know the refugees’ section. I found her at the reception where she’s stationed. She was shocked to see me. I saw no need to hide anything from her. I had to come clean. She insulted me and since then she has distanced herself from me. I am still stuck here in the camp. I’d just joined Varsity back at home after finishing my college and that’s my major concern. What I appreciate though about this place is the security I have from the people I fear finding me. I’m at the moment under the weather, been trying to seek medication through the help of a few contacts. What is provided here are just painkillers.
Cole: Have you been in touch with any LGBT organizations back at home?
Abdul: No. As I’d pointed out earlier, my family is deeply religious and I wasn’t living openly at all even before this happened. I can’t go back home because I recollect a while back one of my cousins died in mysterious circumstances after being seen actively participating in affairs of the queer community. The burial was a very complicated affair and revealed the general feeling associated with being queer in my country. I don’t think I’ll be safe there anymore.
Cole: Any new developments in your search back home? Have your parents tried to reach you or anything? Abdul: Well, I’m still in communication with my best friend who helped me flee. He says my parents are still in pursuit of me. They have even reached out through the media. My partner whom we were arrested with is still in police custody. I’ll be grateful if this could really work for me since my major wish is going back to varsity at least to put my life in perspective through the Economics Science Degree I’d commenced. I haven’t achieved the refugee status yet, too much bureaucracy involved here. I have no idea even how to go about the paperwork. All I have now is a ration card (the one you get after the first interview) and some other necessary document to get me going. I’m openly up to my lips in water.
Cole: Okay, I may not promise much but I’m sure my forum has a wealth of readers who may have an idea on how to handle this; I’ll do this story just to see how far we can get. I’ll withhold your name and phone number but only provide it to those who really matter since I don’t want to expose you to any opportunists out here. I’ll let them reach me through my mail…if that’s okay with you. Abdul: I’ll be more than grateful and thanks for your time listening to me Cole.
Cole: No worries, hang in there. T.S.R Thoughts At 20, one is still young, susceptible, got a whole life ahead of them to figure out. My only concern in this story is the part where he says: ‘I’ve reached a dead end.’ When one reaches a dead end, they are capable of anything. Just like parents -affluent or poor- even relatives can fail you when they are the ones who you need the most. I’m aware I may be opening a flood gate to all the unreported situations. I pause here and ponder. This kid is a reflection of what could happen to any of us in this kind of society we live in as queer persons. All I need is ideas here not the pity parties and sad smileys. I think we are technically his only brothers and sisters who won’t judge him.
For his contacts or anything you'll first reach me(I have to shield him from opportunists who are commonplace online) on:
E-mail: [email protected]Twitter: @Cole_MutahiFacebook: Cole MutahiOr contact any resident LGBT Organization and/or individual here in Kenya since I’ll still have to deal with them regarding this. Regards, Cole MutahiAbdul* is a native of Burundi; a burgeoning young man in his prime. He’s currently seeking refuge in Kakuma after being on the run from his homeland. He ably deciphers his mother tongue, Rwandese, French, Swahili (which T.S.R used for purposes of this story) and only some little bit of English. * (Real name withheld for discretion purposes)
Lesbian Held Hostage Commits Suicide; Fourth Suicide. Details Published and Written by Denis Nzioka in Identity Kenya magazine. Denis is the Chief Editor of Identity Kenya and a leading LGBTI activist and defender.
Unconfirmed reports say that a Kenyan lesbian who was being held hostage by her parents after realizing their daughter is gay, has committed suicide. The incident is said to have happened yesterday night.
The lady, identified as Joan Sandy Achieng, hailed from Mbita constituency and was living and working in Nairobi. She is said to have been held hostage by her parents who tried to marry her off to an older man after they discovered she was lesbian.
According to the reports, Joan's sexuality was known after her girlfriend attacked and stabbed her and on further inquiry by her parents, it was discovered the two were lovers.
Joan's close friend reports being stalked by unknown persons after trying to get in touch with her. Joan's parents allegedly cut her off from the world by confiscating her phones. She is also reported to have been held hostage since March in her parent's house.
Her parents are also said to have attacked Joan's friends who visited their home in an attempt to make contact with Joan.
'Her parents found one of her friends within the compound and thoroughly smashed the windows of her car, threatening to take legal action if they found her anywhere near their compound,' said a report.
It is also reported that Joan's father, in a bid to change her, and in collusion with her mother, got an older friend of his who was asked to 'impregnate' her. It is also alleged that the two were 'married off' secretly as part of this plan. Joan is reported to have said she was regularly abused.
It is also reported that Joan made a call to one of her close friends and said 'she had had enough and was ready to take her life and the misery that had become her life. She promised to call again to update her friends on her situation, but sadly, that call never came through.'
According to a source close to the family, Joan was found dead in her parent's house in what appeared to be a suicide. The source said they will provide more information only after the burial.
The case is being followed up by lesbian activists with assistance from Joan's close friends who included the last person she called three days to her death.
This is the fourth lesbian suicide according to activists. The latest case was in Kisumu where a lesbian couple committed suicide. They too had reported harassment.
If today you discovered that someone very close to you is gay or lesbian, what will be your instant reaction? Many will react differently. Some will react negatively out of ignorance. Others will react abusively and dangerously because they never got an exposure to any kind of sex education. Few will respond with caution because of either past experiences, or due to some acquired knowledge and exposure.
Today in a readers dialogue column, in one of the local newspapers a concerned parent from Nairobi voiced her worry as regarding rampant homosexuality in schools. In a one paragraphed statement titled "Lesbianism in schools worrying" she writes as follows:
"I am worried about gay practices in high schools. Is the Ministry of Education doing anything about it? Recently, three girls were arrested after forcing a Form One student to perform lesbian acts. We parents can't be changing our children from one school to another. A school in Karen has suspended over 30 students due to allegations of lesbianism among Form Two students without a chance to defend themselves. can the Ministry intervene? I am thinking of transferring my child."
First, my dear mum you are worried about gay practices in high schools. I think it is fundamentally important to distinguish between sexual identity or orientation and mere sexual practices. I studied in both primary and secondary boarding schools. I am aware of some students who practiced homosexuality innocently leading to a discovery of their actual identity as gay persons. Others just happened to practice it as a normal and passive process.
We were not taught comprehensively about our sexuality. Now, a bigger part of our knowledge distinctively rely on our own instincts, feelings and provoked discoveries. What I am trying to say is that the probability of stopping such practices in schools is minimal.These practices are naturally and instinctively nurtured in us.
Secondly, I don't believe that the Ministry of Education is adequately equipped to deal with this issue. I strongly believe that it is incapacitated to handle this. Refusal or resistance to embrace progressive scientific research work, evidences and knowledge, and failure to integrate it with the already existing educational frame works, is like shooting oneself on the feet. In the past attempts to include sex education in the academic syllabus has been thwarted by a section of a 'religious' society.
Suspensions and expulsions are an excise in futility. A person's sexual identity or orientation does not change by mere punishments or pressure. School heads and teachers who persist in encouraging and perfecting such tactics and acts are an embarrassment and need to be educated.
Mum, changing your child from one school to another will not help either. I can only advice you to choose the root of advocacy. By doing this, we will be able to push policy makers to re-evaluate and strategical make sustainable and informed decisions.
Schools require well trained counselors who are not inclined to religious biases. They must base their services on factual findings. We need also to fight ignorance by introducing educative campaigns on sexuality and sex education in general.It is unfortunately that the young girls were not given an audience and therefore, it would be difficult for them to understand and digest what is happening to them both psychologically and physically.
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