Uganda to Enforce Stronger Antigay Laws

Laws that would boost police investigations against gays in Uganda will be strengthened due to the government's concern over the "mushrooming" of gays and lesbians in the country.

"The state of moral health in our nation is challenging and we are concerned about the mushrooming of lesbianism and homosexuality," Ethics and Integrity Minister James Buturo said at news conference. He added, "Who is going to occupy Uganda 20 years from now if we all become homosexuals? We know that homosexuals don't reproduce."

He also said that globalization is bringing homosexuality to Uganda as an attempt to end civilization, according to Agence France-Presse.

Same-sex intercourse and marriage are outlawed in Uganda, with the criminal punishment being a life sentence in prison. However, there is no record of a fair trial through the Ugandan courts for such an offense, according to the South African Independent. Buturo said the law would change to increase the number of prosecutions.

LGBT activists George "Georgina" Oundo and "Brenda" Kiiza were held in prison for a week in September without a trial or being charged with a crime. They were arrested on September 10 in Kiiza's home, where police accused them of "recruiting homosexuals," according to Human Rights Watch.

Police confiscated LGBT-related magazines and books, and at the police station authorities took Kiiza's and Oundo's cell phones to note the names and numbers found stored in them. Kiiza and Oundo were also interrogated and beaten by police, who demanded names of other gays they knew. They were let go after their lawyer urged their release, but there is still an ongoing police investigation. (Michelle Garcia, The Advocate)

Click here to follow The Advocate on Twitter. Page 1 of 1

READ COMMENTS (3) MORE \ EMAIL PRINT

RECOMMEND

Reader Comments

Back to top
Name: Sharon Dane
Date posted: 10/7/2008 6:25:00 PM
Hometown: Australia

Comment:
Eric, I belive your comment is a bit backward.
Back to top
Name: Eric
Date posted: 10/7/2008 10:22:00 AM
Hometown: Miami, Fl

Comment:
What do you expect? its Africa. The most backwards and superstitious people in the world.
Back to top
Name: anthony newsome
Date posted: 10/7/2008 6:52:00 AM
Hometown: dublin

Comment:
It is all to familar seeing this type of extreme agressive homophobia coming out of african states, if we had religions like the Catholic Church coming out against this hatrid instead of encouraging it things would change for the better, it is a hard thing to try do, but I make it a point never to purchase goods etc from countries which crimanilise homosexuality, perhaps the Advocate can include a perminante page with the names of all countries who outlaw gay rights and you can also check Aministy International, your local elected representitive can also be contacted, anto

PREVIOUS 1 NEXT

More Online Only

Film Awards Shows Gone Gay

From Rob Lowe singing with Snow White to Madonna and Britney swapping spit, Adam Lambert's racy AMA performance reminded us of some of the great gay moments in awards-show history.

DVDs Hot Sheet: Rihanna, New Moon

Whether you spend your time jamming to Rihanna's Chris Brown kiss-off "Russian Roulette," in theaters with those lusty male vampires- or curled up on the couch with Scarlett O'Hara, it's a packed week in entertainment.

Washington D C View From Washington: The DADT Shuffle

A gay White House employee offered his very first interviews to the LGBT press while Congress took one step forward and one step back on "don't ask, don't tell" repeal in 2010.

Art The Kids Are All Right
Photographer Jeffrey Kilmer has dedicated the last seven years to capturing the awkwardness, rebellion, and personal style of young men across the country and around the world. His book, 23% PURE, is a collection of hot guys, far and wide.

Film Teen Spirit

While Native American cultures have long honored people of integrated genders, a new documentary looks at a shocking hate crime against a two-gendered Colorado teenager.

Politicians L.A. Confidential

What's it like to be 33, gay, and one of the most powerful people in America's second-largest city? Stressful, says Matt Szabo, the new deputy chief of staff to Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

Commentary Love Bites for Twilight's Gay Fans

Gay fanpires are sure to flock to New Moon, but with questions lingering about author Stephanie Meyer and the cash she gives to the Mormon Church, Mike Albo wonders if we'd be better off tying a clove of garlic around our necks.

Youth Church Opens Doors for Homeless Gay Teens

A church-turned-shelter for homeless youth in Queens, New York is a far cry from sleeping on the streets after a $200,000 renovation and a partnership with the Ali Forney Center for LGBT youth.

Music France's Latest Export

He's opened for Britney and Katy Perry, kept Dita Von Teese company in the front row at Paris Fashion Week, and gets name-checked on Twitter by Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, and Sarah Silverman. So who the hell is Sliimy, anyway?

Prevention New Breast Health Rules Leave Out Lesbians

Now that new government guidelines are out on how to best care for your breasts, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender women are left with a lot of questions.

Marriage Equality Triumph in the Tar Heel State

The loss of marriage equality in Maine was a major blow on Election Night, but down the coast in North Carolina there was an LGBT victory. Pam Spaulding talks to Chapel Hill's mayor-elect, Mark Kleinschmidt.

Theater Puppet Masters

When performance-art drag diva Joey Arias combines forces with master puppeteer Basil Twist, anything — no, seriously, anything — can happen.

News Softball With Oprah and Palin

Dave White recaps as Oprah plays nice with Palin in her exclusive, personality-rehabbing interview. Topics include Katie Couric ("badgering"), Levi Johnston ("Ricky Hollywood"), and step class ("gee, it's fun").

News View From Washington: Frank Tells

This week Congressman Barney Frank laid out a plan and a timetable for repealing "don't ask, don't tell..." and a reminder that he's been saying it would happen in 2010 from the beginning.