UGANDA
Ugandan Gays Refused Space to Speak at Commonwealth Conference Event
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IGLHRC official assaulted by police |
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KAMPALA, November 25, 2007 – A member of the staff of the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) Africa regional office in Johannesburg was assaulted by Ugandan police on Friday as she was trying to enter an event at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Kampala. Victor Juliet Mukasa, a leading Ugandan LGBT human rights activist who was appointed to her IGLHRC post last month, was trying to gain access to the “People’s Space” at CHOGM. The People’s Space was designed “to provide opportunities to share in the diversity and richness of the Commonwealth people” and was specifically designated as a space open to all people. It was intended to give people “renewed energy to facilitate social change with a clear sense of building the future together”. According to Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), a group she co-founded, Ms. Mukasa, a transgender lesbian, was among those wanting to make a presentation – a declaration – in the “People’s Space”. According to SMUG, she stood her ground and declared: “I am not moving a single step from this place”. The police continued their aggressive affront, SMUG reports. “They threw me down,” Ms. Mukasa told SMUG. “Those who came back to help me from the ground faced it tough. One person was caned for doing so.” East African homosexuals, came in peace to CHOGM to speak, were bitterly disappointed – and concerned – that, as citizens of the Commonwealth, they were refused entry by local police. Ugandan and Kenyan lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) speakers scheduled to give their addresses at the CHOGM Speaker’s Corner in Uganda left after facing violence from the police and waiting for seven hours to be given entrance to the People’s Space. “Both homosexuals and straight Ugandans are increasingly becoming fed up with the violence and discrimination being directed toward people of different sexual orientations,” SMUG said yesterday. “Heterosexual Ugandans have begun to speak out against such police brutality, stating that they will not tolerate any kind of violence against another human being, regardless of their sexual orientation. “The LGBT speakers remained standing outside the gate in quiet protest, waiting to be allowed back in to deliver their speeches. “They were there for a total of seven hours. What was supposed to be one of the greatest for a for free speech has become a disappointment and an embarrassing case of discrimination for Uganda,” SMUG said, adding that the discrimination and violence carried out by police at the People’s Space is an affront to basic human rights in Uganda. A non-LGBT film organisation in Kampala, Amakula, also faced discrimination for showing a film that discussed homosexuality. Amakula showcases African cinema, “bringing filmmakers together to help create an inspiring and conducive environment for cinema”. The organisation is known for its celebration of African talent, professionalism, human diversity, and creativity. After hosting an LGBT-themed film at CHOGM that sparked hot debate across the nation, two members of Amakula were thrown out of the People’s Space. A non-LGBT related percussion group scheduled to perform at CHOGM has been cancelled because its performance was arranged by Amakula. LINKS
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