Uganda bar owner arrested for gay-themed play
A bar owner in Uganda was arrested today for hosting the play “The River & The Mountain,” which has a gay businessman as its main character, journalist Andy Kopsa reports.
Tilapila Bar owner David Cecil was accused of showing a “gay themed play,” Kopsa said.
“The River & the Mountain” is about a gay businessman living in a homophobic country. Ads for it describe the play as “A Ugandan comedy drama that tackles the intersection of religion, politics and sexuality.”
The play had been scheduled for the National Theatre of Uganda but performances there were canceled after government officials objected.
The play, by British playwright Beau Hopkins, “has provoked controversy not only for its sympathetic portrayal of gay people, but also because it suggests that much of the anger and hatred has been whipped up by politicians and religious leaders for their own purposes,” The Guardian reported. It quoted Hopkins as saying:
“The local media seem to have agreed not to talk about it, which is disappointing. We’re also particularly disappointed that it won’t be staged at the National Theatre, as there it would have reached more Ugandans.”
For more information, see the full article “Owner of Tilapia Bar in Kampala Arrested for showing ‘gay themed play’ The River and The Mountain”
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