Ugandans read the list of 200 homosexuals printed in the newspaper. Photo by Rebecca Vassie, courtesy of The Associated Press.
In February, a Ugandan newspaper published the “200 Top Gays” list following the parliament’s passing of the anti-homosexuality bill. This list exposed previously unidentified homosexuals in Uganda a day after the president, Yoweri Museveni, enacted the harsh anti-gay law.
The passing of the latest anti-gay bill declares a penalty of up to life in prison for those caught participating in homosexual activity.
According to Ghanaian Professor George B.N. Ayittey, president of the Free Africa Foundation and compiler of Foreign Policy magazine’s “Worst of the Worst” dictator list, this bill is merely the latest display of alarming disregard for the preservation of primary human rights. Museveni’s appearance on “Worst of the Worst” only bolsters the argument that he has spent 28 years in office suppressing the freedoms of those he governs.
Originally, the bill proposed the death penalty for anyone who was openly gay, but after international pressure that penalty was substituted by a sentence of life imprisonment. For some, however, the list itself is a death sentence. Those on it have to face the threat of violence or persecution on a day-to-day basis. Their friends and family members could face penalties, too, under this new law, for a special provision requires citizens to report known homosexual activity.
“They would be jailed if they didn’t report you to the authorities in 24 hours,” Ahmed Shihab-Eldin said on behalf of the Huffington Post.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry declared an end to all U.S. aid to the East African nation. In an article published by UCA News, “Ugandan Bishops tight-lipped on harsh new anti-gay law,” Kerry claimed the law is an “abuse of human rights.” He further stressed the United States’ disappointment in Uganda, a nation the U.S. has supported financially for years.
“At this point, I don’t know any close friend or family that’s gay,” said Ugandan SCAD alumni Andrew Katumba. “In the long run, it’s affecting Uganda economically as donors are pulling out. That’s one way I am personally going to be affected.” Katumba mentioned his post-graduation student debt as an issue that he will have a harder time dealing with after this law.
All of Uganda, not just the homosexual population, will have to deal with the prospect of losing the international aid on which the country heavily relies.
In a February 2014 press statement released by the State Department, Kerry said, “This is a tragic day for Uganda and for all who care … Ultimately, the only answer is repeal of this law.”
He’s not the only one calling for repeal, either. Earlier in the year, John Baptist Kauta, secretary-general of the Uganda Episcopal Conference, expressed opposition to the law on behalf of his fellow bishops.
Religious opposition to the law leaves Museveni and the Ugandan government alone in supporting the controversial measure.