Thursday, June 19, 2014

UGANDA - The Ultimate Anti-Gay Law

"Uganda gays face life in prison under law" PBS NewsHour 6/15/2014

Excerpt

SUMMARY:  For gays living in Uganda, just walking outside of their homes can be dangerous.  And today, long-standing prejudice has been institutionalized into law with the country’s “Anti-Homosexuality Act,” which calls for harsh sentences for gay acts.  Offenders convicted of “aggravated homosexuality” face life in prison.  NewsHour Weekend special correspondent Martin Seemungal reports from Kampala.

MARTIN SEEMUNGAL (NewsHour):  For Geoffrey Ogwaro this, is a risk, just being out of his house.  He is a gay activist, he lives in Uganda and that, he says, is dangerous.

GEOFFREOY OGWARO:  You don’t know what’s going to happen to you next.  You’re more careful, instead of living your life freely as a Ugandan you’re more cautious of the places you go to.  Who you invite to your house.

MARTIN SEEMUNGAL:  Pepe Onziema is also active in the gay community in Kampala.  He is extremely careful.

PEPE ONZIEMA:  Many people know my face.  I actually don’t go to the city because I’ve been attacked on the streets many times.

MARTIN SEEMUNGAL:  The attacks are sometimes lethal.  This man was accused of being gay, he was beaten to death by a mob.

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