Press Release to ILGA from LGBTI Uganda
The month of May started on a tough note concerning LGBT rights for gay Ugandans. Two groups of athletes registered to participate in Gay Sports in France and Germany were denied visas in spite of fulfilling all requirements established by both embassies.
LGBTI Uganda had registered a women’s volley ball team to compete in the Saaleperlen Games in Leipzig, Germany, between the 15th -20th May 2013. Out of the 8 applicants; including a Badminton Team for men, only 3 persons were granted visas! These included two men, for Badminton, and 1 woman, the captain, for the Volley Ball Women’s team.
This was a great shock to the 5 women who had spent weeks under intense training. The team immediately hired a lawyer to help with the appeal process, since the games were about 2 weeks away. To the team’s surprise, the embassy insisted the appeal process would last 4 weeks, a time frame which wouldn’t allow them participate in the games and a workshop organized for them on: How to Survive in an Extremely Homophobic Environment.
As expected, the organizers too where not impressed by the decision. But to their further surprise, most of their protest emails got no feedback except one that made it categorically clear that the embassy ‘deals with applicants, not third parties’. Protest letters to the German Foreign Affairs ministry were met with excuses too; all authority, with regards to visas is handled by local embassies.
In earlier correspondences between the organizers and the LGBTI Uganda team, one of the organizers noted that there could be some local staff at the German embassy that were opposed to Gay Rights and that the team should exercise the necessary precautions. Unfortunately, the team didn’t take the caution seriously until a senior native employee at the German embassy called some of the female players and preached to them for several minutes begging them “in God’s name to repent”. At the end of their submission, another called one of the two male players and told him that the team was not “presentable enough”.
The reasons given for the denial of visas were:
1. Lack of sufficient proof of means to sustain themselves while in Germany.
2. Lack of proof that the team would leave Germany upon completion of the games.
3. Lack of sufficient attachment to their country to enable them return home etc….
But team LGBTI Uganda has been to Sweden, Netherlands and in several parts of Uganda. This team had gotten a local sponsor for the German games who offered to buy return air tickets and 200 Euros per participant in pocket money. The organizers in Leipzig too, sent letters confirming the availability of meals and full accommodation for the team. Besides, every team member had health travel insurance worth the required 30,000 Euros.
Then, with the help of the team’s lawyer, affidavits were sworn by all athletes pledging to leave Germany upon the end of the games. And family photos were attached together with properties, birth certificates of dependants, personal bank statements etc…
Up to today, however, there is no word on the fate of the 5 female volley ball players from the German Embassy in Kampala. Why is this so? We are sure they are waiting for the mandatory 4 weeks to expire.
On the side of the French Embassy, all three LGBTI Uganda athletes were turned down. The same reasons were given like the Germans. Yet even after proving that 2 of the 3 were student finalists who couldn’t just abandon their studies, the embassy remained adamant. Even when the remaining athlete proved that he had a stable job with a very good remuneration package and assets, the answer was a resounding no!
The 3 had been registered by LBTI Uganda to participate in Mountain Biking and Squash in the Tournoi International de Paris 2013 happening between 14th -20th May 2013 in Paris. The organizers gave full proof of accommodation and meals, and the participants equally proved their capacity to attend, return home and continue with their life here in Uganda. The team’s sponsor too accepted to offer air tickets and ample pocket money on condition that LGBTI Uganda guaranteed participants would honor their obligations.
It’s a pity that the German and French Embassies have turned their backs on gay Ugandans despite of the fact that they are in full knowledge of the high levels of homophobia in this country. The teams strongly believe, that in sports, they would interact with their like; exchange ideas and draw support from one another. The teams believe that participating in these sports would be a huge blow to homophobia in Uganda. The teams strongly believe that sports would defeat hate with love, condemnation with compassion, discrimination with understanding.
And while the teams remain in the depths of the dark corners of homophobia itself; they remain strong in spirit and forever indebted to the organizers in France, like Antoine Le Blanc and Hubert Quarantel-Colombani together with Matthias Lendner of Germany. Thank you for all your efforts.

Elvis Kiwanuka
National Coordinator
LGBTI Uganda

I took it up the bottom from a bloke named Quembai, it was banging. It's true what they say about nigged men, Fucking hung.
Yours M.S <3

Conservative MP Margot James has urged for the world’s politicians to promote gay rights at a Westminster conference that was chaired by Uganda’s anti-gay Speaker Rebecca Kadaga. Last week, Ms Kadaga claimed the country’s notorious Anti-Homosexuality Bill would soon be passed by lawmakers and the Ugandan MP confirmed that she had no intention of blocking the legislation, which proposes barbaric sentences for those convicted. Speaking on Tuesday at the International Parliamentary Conference on Gender and Politics held in Westminster at Portcullis House, London, Stourbridge MP Margot James urged delegates from over 40 different nations to promote gay rights in their countries. After speaking in the debate on the use of quotas to ensure greater parliamentary representation for women, Ms James challenged female legislators in the Commonwealth to confront homophobic persecution. “We agree on the need for more women in our parliaments and governments, but we also need to reflect on why we need more women to be elected, a greater defence of freedoms and human rights is needed,” said Ms James. “As a gay woman I would not be able to even stand for election in many of the countries represented here today, and the situation is even more dire for gay men in so much of the Commonwealth. She added: “I urge the women legislators here today to stand up for the gay minority in your country and remember those who, like women are discriminated against, and bring that discrimination to an end.”

Here is the link ....http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2012/11/07/ugandan-anti-gay-speaker-chairs-london-human-rights-conference/

It has once again happened that intellectual freedom has been
curtailed in Uganda following the raid by police of an
anti-discrimination play by Talented Ugandan Kuchus/queers (TUK/q), a
group of young talented performers whose message is of
non-discrimination. The production titled "Lighting the Shadows" was
this evening rudely interrupted by one gentleman who had several
policemen to back him. The audience was dispersed and so was the cast.
Every one was ordered out of the theater. The coalition was one of the
major sponsors of this advocacy event to which the public as well as
the diplomatic corps were invited

Greetings from GEHO - Uganda, which was founded with a Vision of “A just Society where LGBTi Community access Total Health and enjoy their Human Rights” while our Mission is “GEHO – Uganda exists to restore human dignity of LGBTi communities/persons and address access to health services through Information, Outreach, Service Provision and Strategic Partnerships”. Our mission and vision are being realized through the following objectives; - To provide key health and legal services to the LGBTi Community, To work towards improvement of SRHR and contribute to the fight against HIV/AIDS among the LGBTi, To create a sustainable partnerships and networks with same minded Organizations to address issues affecting the LGBTi AND To create strengthen GEHO – Uganda institutional capacity to be able to fulfill our mandate.

http://klug.cfsites.org/custom.php?pageid=38064

Speaker Kadaga promises to revive shelved gay Bill

The Speaker’s promise follows her experience in Canada, where foreign officials asked her to block the bill.


Entebbe

Days after her defence against a Canadian minister’s attacks on Uganda over homosexuality, Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga has promised to expedite the debate on the Anti-Homosexuality Bill.

Ms Kadaga made the assurance while addressing religious leaders and journalists at Entebbe International Airport on Monday. “They said I should stop the debate on the Anti-Homosexuality Bill but I assured them there is no way I can block a private members Bill,” she said.

At the Inter-Parliamentary Union meeting in Quebec, Canada, Ms Kadaga was involved in an altercation with that country’s Foreign Affairs minister, Mr John Baird, after the latter accused Uganda of trampling on human rights.

The accusation saw Ms Kadaga tell the minister to stick to the day’s theme and respect Uganda’s sovereignty. “I will not accept to be intimidated or directed by any government in the world on matters of homosexuality,” she said, adding that she was not aware she was speaking for many people in the world, some of whom were in the conference.

“I was surprised when colleagues came and thanked me saying that’s what they have always wanted to say but they had never gotten the courage to. That when it came to me that I had spoken for the whole of Africa, for the Arab world and Asians,” she said.

The welcome ceremony and press briefing was organised by religious leaders, former Ethics and Integrity Minister Nsaba Buturo and the mover of the Bill, Mr David Bahati, all of whom are pushing for the enactment of the anti-homosexuality Bill.

A large procession comprising members of different Pentecostal churches, Makerere University students and boda boda cyclists camped at the airport from 10am to after midnight when Ms Kadaga emerged to greet them as they ululated and waved placards appreciating her boldness in Canada.

“You are our saviour, we want the bill now,” one of the placards read.
Pastor Michael Were, who spoke on behalf of the religious leaders, called on other national leaders to follow Ms Kadaga’s footsteps for the sake of the country’s culture and traditions.

Asked whether she was not mindful of Uganda being denied aid and her being denied entry visas to pro-gay countries, Ms Kadaga said such countries were welcome to keep their aid and visas.

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ESCAPE FROM THE POLICE IMMANUEL DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION UGANDA ESCAPED FROM THE POLICE RAID AS WE HELP THEY YOUTH GAYS AND LESBIANS CONFERENCE AND ACTIVISM. IT WAS A DARK NIGHT ON SATURDAY WHEN THE POLICE ATTACKED AND SCATTERED ALL MEMBERS AT THE REGENCY HOTEL KABUSU WHILE WE WERE DISCUSSING ISSUES ON HOW WE CAN CREAT AWARENESS ON ILGA RIGHTS AND ALSO HOW TO SUPPORT VARIOUS YOUTH WHO ARE MEMBERS. THE POLICE CONFISCATED OUR PA MACHINES AND THE DIRECTORS WERE ARRESTED SO WE REALLY CALL UPON THE MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY TO JOIN US IN BAILING OUT OUR 3 MEMBERS THE COURT REQUESTED US TO PAY BAIL OF 4000 DOLLARS SO WE ARE WORKING THIS OUT AND ANY WELL WISHERS CAN HELP, ALSO WE ARE LOOKING FOR A LAWYER TO HELP OUR MEMBERS WITH THIS CASE HERE IN UGANDA AND ANY HELP WILL BE APPRECIATED.

This Sunday, a burning concern from urs trully: It’s so depressing having to live behind the smoke screen of another person, seein’ him take over your physical features bit by bit till you are completely lost and cannot see yourself any more. Growing up, I had many a suicidal thoughts, as every moment that passed I came to see, more and more these hard masculine features of this pubescent boy…while the tender supple skin, curvaceous body and beautiful face of the gurl in me, receded behind the curtains only to arise and shine over tones of make-up..I curse the day I told ma mom about ma boobs, stupidly thinking it was cancer, and I was gonna die..i wish I knew then, like I know now that the hormones they were giving me were actually testosterone and they would destroy Cleo….the gurl in me…Am sorry Cleo..sorry for the ignorance in me, sorry that I did not know a better way, sorry that I did not try had enough to save you…It’s a miracle that you have survived this all, scars and wounds notwithstanding, it’s a miracle that you still smile and giggle when you come…But even then, I cannot say that for all my trans brothers and sisters still locked up in bodies of other people….they walk around taunted by the thought of what could have been if only they could let that gurl or boy out…Working with the Trans Supporrt Initiative Uganda I’ve seen many trans people, lost, depressed, praying that, that beard won’t come, that those boobs would just disappear…..it’s a painful reality. That some of us will actually make it, we are surely uncertain of….But having lived through this nightmare and survived it with the few feminine features lurking, am worried, that even those will disappear. Ma heart goes out to all ma trans bro’s and sisters who
are struggling to unmask that gurl or boy in them, ma heart bleeds even more for ma teenage trans brother and sisters who right now are probably having suicidal thoughts, and hating themselves, and ignorant of the other way...a better way…a solution that even if they knew of they may be wouldn’t afford. Heed the words of my cry if you may…Our brother and sisters in Uganda need hormonal replacement therapy, so that they can live better lives... lives with confidence, self esteem, and vitality to face the ever growing transphobia around them…Heed this cry if you may….understand us…save us..we need you..for now we are here, we do not know for how long? But as long if you hear my cry from this deep abyss...answer this our prayer...
follow me on ma facebook cleo xulaye if you are interested in helping out

The rest of the world should help look into the situation in Uganda and the current bill against gays that is being tabled in parliament.Problem also is that many of the gay people are just talkers.They talk the talk but cannot walk the walk.People are so scared about losing their lives and being discriminated that they are forced to live double lives.So many are depressed and have nowhere to turn to and with time,i will not be surprised if there is a high rate of suicides occuring in my country Uganda.Anyway,i hope the situation gets better soon which i really do not think will happen but hey,what can one do other than stay positive even in a negative situation?

In a democracy, one has to allow room and space to listen to the other side arguing their case. Much the same way is expected for one to be listened to. The Anti Homosexuality Bill, 2009 as well as 2 other stigmatizing and discriminating bills (The HIV Bill and Equal Opportunities Bill)will continue to find their way on the floor of parliament. Even as a practicing physician, the volunteer spirit to treat the "gay" will be stepped upon! There is a fear of repercussions for such reaching out. As long as the HIV Bill,2009 is still mentioned ( like yesterday, 07/02/2012) morale, motivation and effort to roll back HIV/STIs will also die!!

MICROBICIDE INFORMATION CENTER IN UGANDA, LAUNCHED IN UGANDA ON 04 FEBRUARY 2012


BACKGROUND:

MARPS IN UGANDA is involved at various spaces sharing on; Capacity building, organisation development, Sexuality, orientation, gender, identity, microbicides, HIV, cancer, Female genital mutilation and other issues. Calls for repeat sessions on such subjects like; microbicides continue coming in. Today, after activities during the World cancer-day in Uganda we have decided to launch our "microbicide information center".

6P’s make up our concept: Understanding Policy, intensifying Programmes, identifying all Players, Providing education and enabling Participation to Popularise microbicides in Uganda.

We hope to reach 800 key leaders with the lubes, condom and microbicide messages by December 2012. These in turn will reach many others. We hope to popularise acceptability in a network with 350 persons by December 2012 if all goes well. Microbicides, especially rectal microbicides are anti-HIV decision-support tools in the hands of marginalised.

UNDERSTANDING A MICROBICIDE:
Microbicide /mi•cro•bi•cide/ (mi-kro´bĭ-sīd):
1. a substance that destroys microbes.
2. a substance that destroys infectious agents, including also viruses; sometimes used specifically for that used to prevent transmission of sexually transmitted diseases.

HOW MICROBICIDE INFORMATION HAS BEEN POPULARISED:
1. We have used meetings (e.g., National consultative meetings) to share information on microbicides. This has been possible because MARPS IN UGANDA is part of the large CSO Network in Uganda. It takes lead on MSM. WSW, TG, Substance users and PLHIV. It as well takes lead on providing evidence in form of reports on all most at risk populations (MARPs) in Uganda. These include but not limited to: fisher-folk, sex-workers, truckers, discordant couples, persons in long term relations, PLHIV, MSM and Uniformed services Personnel. Given the vast networks within which we work, we have also interacted with: mobile communities, displaced persons, disabled persons, young persons, men and women.
2. We work with school and non-school going communities and with these we did design schedules on talks around: sexual and reproductive health. We use these spaces to introduce topics such as, microbicides.
3. We are a lead organisation promoting the eradication of violence, violations, abuse, discrimination and stigma in communities due to for instance: sexuality, orientation, gender and identity. Through these spaces we share on microbicides.
4. We link with various organisations under the capacity building contracts. While we train, we also introduce issues around Microbicides.
OUTCOMES: We have become a lead organisation, voluntarily providing information on microbicides in Uganda.

VULNERABILITY SPECTRUM

BACKGROUND: A systematic review of responses from 30,000 spaces was carried out in 10 regions of Uganda.
OBJECTIVE: A systematic review of responses from 30,000 spaces where inquiry into who MARPs are, what MARPs need, who provides services, what is demanded, what are the behavioural characteristics unique to MARPs and other contexts influencing issues of MARPs that was conducted between July 2010-August 2011.
DESIGN: Conduct Review of literature, Interviews, structured conversation and focus group discussions. Respondents were drawn from; 150 farmer groups, 220 hair salons, 27 landing sites, 27 police posts, 110 cattle/village markets/social spaces, 225 major RH/FP/MH/CS/Health Services organisations, with leaders and members of 100 FBOs/2200 CBOs/CSOs/Community Groups, 2,550 lower level governments and communities, with members of 3,000 men/Women groups/settings, in 19,174 trading and urban spaces (Artisanry marts, car dealerships, repair garages, washing bays, food vending kiosks, video kiosks, shopping malls, recreational spaces) along 6 major trunk roads and 25 other roads leading to rural districts, 250 educational institutes (higher institutions of learning, colleges, senior/primary schools), 100 minorities’ spaces, 72 fresh foods markets, 200 hotels/lodges, 25 housing estate areas ( e.g. Jinja industrial area, Kampala, Gulu, Mbarara, Kasese, Tororo, Mbale), 170 ludo/snooker points, 1,700 storage and parking bays/car-park/boda/lorry/bus-parks in urban settings.
SETTING: Uganda was divided into operational regions: Central, Northern, Eastern, North Eastern, Mid-Western and south-Western where 30,000 were identified and these included: Lower level governments, urban centers, municipalities, towns, market areas, boarder points, social-meeting places, recreational spaces, food vending areas, film kiosks, shopping malls, parks, washing bays, road stop spots, educational institutions and CSOs. 5 lakes were visited to generate understanding of fisher folk communities.
RESPONDENTS: We used groups and individual key informants that way 30,000 Key informants were mobilised to include; leaders, community members, PLHIV, MSM, Substance users, sex-workers, fisher folk, key persons at road stop spot, bar-owners, informal sector, car-parks, bus-parks, work-place-exit points, school leaders, out-door games’ organizers, and uniformed services.
INTERVENTIONS: The police and criminal justice system are points for violence redress. Other forms of Violence/stigma counselling centers exist in major towns/municipals; public and private health facilities provide treatment and management of HIV/STIs; CSOs and government social services’ departments have planned programmes targeting MARPs.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENT: MARPs character and vulnerability spectrum in Uganda.
RESULTS: At community of residence level right through the Criminal justice system, substance users, MSM, Sex-workers and PLHIV still face stigma and violence. Sex-work (female, male and child sex-work) is rampant along all major road trunks and in major destination towns towards Uganda’s boarders. Education and housing areas have high prevalence of male/female sex-work, same sex practices and substance use. Violence/stigma counselling centers exist in major towns/municipals; public and private health facilities provide treatment and management of HIV/STIs; CSOs and government social services’ departments have planned programmes targeting MARPs. Key affected populations such as MSM and substance users being criminalized still lack focused programmes targeting them. Communities still do discriminate and stigmatize Key affected populations such as PLHIV, MSM and substance users. There is a tendency to box MARPs issues into HIV Programmes and this has influenced the approach to most programming. Messaging to eradicate risks to HIV should factor in fact that substance use, unprotected anal sex, female sex-work, male sex-work, child sex-work are interconnections in sexual networks
VULNERABILITY:
CENTRAL REGION: These included; Buganda, Busoga sub-region, Bugwere and Bugisu. The MARPs characteristics range from substance use, child sex-work, fisher folk, MSM, LGBTIQQ, male/female sex-work, PLHIV, young people who are sexually active, long distance drivers, and uniformed services. Vulnerability was around; quick mobility, fear of consequences of visibility, stigma, sexual practices, gendered sexual beliefs and the gap between haves and have nots.
NORTH-EASTERN REGION: These included; Karamoja sub-region. The MARPs characteristics range from substance use, child sex-work, PLHIV, young people who are sexually active. Vulnerability was around; quick mobility, displacements arising from searching for pasture and child neglect
MID-WESTERN REGION: These included; Kasese, Hoima, Buliisa and Fort Portal. The MARPs characteristics range from substance use, child sex-work, fisher folk, MSM, Indigenous Tribes, male/female sex-work around mining and cement industry, PLHIV, young people who are sexually active, long distance drivers, and uniformed services. Vulnerability was around; perceptions of men about mid-Western Uganda females, quick mobility, fear of consequences of visibility, stigma, gap between haves and have nots.
SOUTH-WESTERN REGION: These included; Kabale and Ankole Sub-region. The MARPs characteristics range from substance use, child sex-work, fisher folk, MSM, LGBTIQQ, male/female sex-work, PLHIV, young people who are sexually active, long distance drivers, and uniformed services. Vulnerability was around; quick mobility, fear of consequences of visibility, stigma, cultural perceptions around sexuality and sexual intercourse acts.
WEST-NILE REGION: These included; Arua and Madi Sub-region. The MARPs characteristics range from substance use, child sex-work, fisher folk, male/female sex-work, PLHIV, young people who are sexually active, long distance drivers, and uniformed services. Vulnerability was around; quick mobility, fear of consequences of visibility, stigma, cultural perceptions around sexuality and sexual intercourse acts, and inter-cultural social experiences.
NORTHERN SUB REGION: These included; Acholi and Lango Sub-region. The MARPs characteristics range from substance use, child sex-work, fisher folk, MSM, male/female sex-work, PLHIV, young people who are sexually active, long distance drivers, and uniformed services. Vulnerability was around; quick mobility, fear of consequences of visibility, stigma, cultural perceptions around sexuality and sexual intercourse acts.
IN-DEPTH INTERVIEWS:
“As a town dweller, I do know of substance use, anal sex, female sex-work, male sex-work and child sex-work in this town and many others. The clients include professional persons, odd-jobs workers, artisans, students and non-school young people”. Ashraf (Wandegeya), Florence (Nansana), Grace (Kawempe), Jerome (Migyeera), Cosma (Nimule) and Rashid (Mbale).
“Am a male sex-worker since 2007, my kind of clients have my phone contacts and book in different hotels in different towns of Uganda. They send me a text message and we meet for sex. Most times they also ask me to bring other friends when they are many. Some of our clients do use substances, especially they smoke marijuana”. Crystal (Kampala).
“We want to be trained in skills to start up alternative businesses besides depending on Fishing”. Bukenya (Kyamuswa, Mazinga, Kalangala Islands of Lake Victoria), Arthur (Lake Albert), Ogwer (Lake Kioga).
“Yes, there are programmes on HIV and Human Rights as part of the prison services, hopefully this will be a big step in improving prevention practices”. (Key informant).
“Am interested in two things now that we have met. How your organisation can help us “handle” MARPs since we are increasingly working in that area” . (Key informant from a leading health organisation).
“ What is that nonsense? Every one is a MARP!” ( Key informant and district official).
“ The issues such as stigma, dialogue around discrimination and their relation to HIV are points to start with in starting and driving conversation around MARPs issues”. (Key informant and Community Development Officer).
“Am a trans-woman and I feel so insecure. I have to keep in-doors and only get out at night or make sure I put on long coats and a cap if am to conduct outreach services for other trans-women in Uganda”. (Leader of Trans-Women Bureau Uganda).
“ I am a transgendered male to female person and my parents are aware of my sexuality and gender identity. I wonder why we do not have seminars targeting parents and families. Our families are the first points of insecurity for many of the gay people.” (Leader of Young MSM Club in Uganda).
“ We are ready to conduct community campaigns against “mob-justice” as this is one very unjust way communities deal with what they disagree with. Communities should learn to use the justice system and believe in it. Other reported complaints are evictions, black-mail, extortion and deliberate hostility actions”. (Key informant from law and order section).
LIMITATION: This exercise was conducted to generate vulnerability before testing and it explored issues around visibility of various MARPs.
CONCLUSION: Contexts ranging from Policy, programmes, public and private settings form and influence actions targeting MARPs issues. HIV risk is one major issue most organisations target. However, before testing or accessing an HCT service MARPs need to be looked at as vulnerable and that vulnerability is disproportionate. Criminalization, Stigma and violence form a barrier that silences MSM, Sex-workers and substance users and it may cause them to go underground. This may not be the case for fisher folk, Long distance truckers or uniformed services. MARPs issues include demand for skills training to access anti-poverty programmes such as social grants. Public and private settings have all the basics in place to provide redress to all issues of MARPs. However, they are also points of violence to some MARPs.

We ve experienced alot of suffering from government,community and also from our family members that ve expressed strong resentments towards us yet we would have expected protection refugee from them can you imagine your own family member threating you all the time because of you being ahomosexual
I have afriend who told me that because of his family members knowing that he 's agay some of them are now taking advantage of him by demanding money from him threating to report him to police community leaders (Local council chairman) and to his boss. He told me his father has now chased him away and told him if he see him back again on his land or house he will pull out his machete and cut him he 's ready to go to prison. I call upon all members to come out and help our brother
Please we ' re seeking for your advice

Iwas arrested with some other members by police in 2007 for attending agay meeting following the local council chairman informing the police about our illegal meeting we were seriously beaten by police and detained we were requested to demonstrate how have sex with fellow men after releasing us some of us were hospitalised but we could do nothing to the police in fact they told us that they are just helping us otherwise the evidence they have against us is overwhelming for imprisonment the release came as ares ult of some members giving them bribe I even lost my job after the boss coming to know about it that am agay.The second time we were romancing with my partner then some one informed the police who raided my house took my photos as part of evidence imprisoned again i was seriously beaten by the police accusing me of recruiting children the community wanted to kill me requesting the police to leave me so that they can work on beat me mob justice later i had to bribe them to release me when the people hard that the police had released they decided to destroy my house but nothing has been done by the authorities and they have decided to chase me away from the village that am an evil and Satan Alot has ahppened to me but this is the price you pay for doing what you belive in or expressing your feeling

http://www.change.org/petitions/to-the-ugandan-government---homophobia-anywhere-is-a-threat-to-freedom-everywhere

As the advocacy officer for a rights group called Sexual Minorities Uganda, David Kato was one of Uganda's most high profile gay rights activists. Just weeks after winning a court victory over a tabloid that called for homosexuals to be killed he has been bludgeoned to death in his home.

David was one of a team of activists who took action against Uganda's Rolling Stone tabloid newspaper which had been running a campaign both naming and showing people it claimed were homosexual. The pictures featured on the front page, with an accompanying headline - "hang them". David was one of those pictured.

In response to the murder of David Kato, the managing editor of the weekly Rolling Stone, said in a statement that he had "no regrets about the story. We were just exposing people who were doing wrong."

Homophobia has increased in Uganda recently because of church action but also because of political action. An anti-homosexual bill currently before parliament calls for gays and lesbians to be jailed for life. This bill was sponsored by Ndorwa West, MP David Bahati, a legislator from President Museveni's ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).

It is time for the Ugandan government to act. It is time for the government to publicly condemn the murder of David Kato, condemn homophobic publications such as the Rolling Stone, and to publicly condemn homophobia in Uganda. It is time for the Ugandan government to start educating Ugandans to stop homophobia. Please sign this petition to the Ugandan Government and to President Yoweri Museveni to end homophobia in Uganda.

""Homophobia is like racism and anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry in that it seeks to dehumanize a large group of people, to deny their humanity, their dignity and personhood" - Coretta Scott King

Homophobia anywhere, is a threat to freedom everywhere.