CLINTON TARGETS KONY AND HOMOPHOBES IN UGANDA

August 3, 2012

Today, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited Uganda as part of her African tour. As expected she spoke about the need to hunt down the Ugandan warlord and leader of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), Joseph Kony; perhaps less expected was her outspoken and unconditional support of the gay rights movement in Uganda. The first issue is crucial to Uganda's national security, the second is essential for Uganda's integrity.

Joseph Kony, who was indicted in 2005 for war crimes and crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, continues to kill, rape and pillage. On top of this he is responsible for the abduction of young children who are then forced to become sex slaves or soldiers. His influence had started in 1986, when he became a leader of a premillennialist group in Acholiland, but he turned to military rebellion after the overthrow of Acholi President Tito Okello by Yoweri Museveni and his National Resistance Army (NRA) during the Ugandan Bush War (1981–1986). Since then, his religious eccentricity has only been matched by his extreme violence that extends to the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan and the Central African Republic (CAR). This last country has been in the spotlight since April because of the Kony-style murder of 13 miners for which a 24-year-old British man, David Simpson, his Swedish boss, Eric Mararv and 11 of local employees were arrested. That case continues, while Kony merrily continues his slaughter hidden from view.

David Simpson

Homophobia, though, Uganda's other curse, is almost exulted. This, despite the persecution of homosexuals and the brutal murder of gay activist David Cato last year. The government wanted to pass a law which actually prescribed the death penalty for "aggravated homosexuality", but is now pursuing a less extreme version following internal and international condemnation and threats from donor countries like Britain to withdraw their funding. Part of the problem was exacerbated by U.S. evangelical preachers who fuelled the hatred and persecution. Hillary Clinton's stance, therefore, may have been enhanced by a sense of responsibility. She praised activists and presented a coalition of Ugandan rights groups with the State Department's 2011 Human Rights Defender Award.

"It is critical for all Ugandans, the government and citizens alike," she said, "to speak out against discrimination, harassment, and intimidation of anyone. That's true no matter where they come from, what they believe, or whom they love".

In October 2010 Rolling Stone published photographs of gay Ugandans, including David Kato, under the banner: "Hang Them!"

President Yoweri Museveni would do well to take note and dedicate himself to the service of all his people and the elimination of the type of fanaticism that breeds the likes of homophobes as well as Konys.