Under threat, Ugandan rights group plans to move to safety
Under the threat of attacks by anti-gay youths and neighboring businesspeople, the LGBT rights group Spectrum Uganda Initiatives has decided to relocate for safety.
The organization, which fights HIV and promotes gay rights in Kampala, Uganda, has “suspended serious activities and campaigns until we get new offices,” said Kimbugwe Moses, the group’s programs and advocacy director.
In the meantime, the activists have removed sensitive materials from the office and packed up office supplies, he said.
Spectrum Uganda Initiatives released this announcement and appeal for help after an emergency meeting yesterday:
Emergency request for office relocation of Spectrum Uganda Initiatives Inc.
Spectrum Uganda initiatives Inc is under serious threats from traders and hooligans around Kiseka Market.
During traders’ strike on 28th June 2013, angry traders turned their wrath on Spectrum offices and staff, accusing us of promoting homosexuality, and promised to come back soon and attack our office and staff , that they are aware of our activities.
A group of around six energetic young men today, the 1st of July 2013, has again raised their anger and shouted at our offices that they cannot share premises with homosexuals. They continued to shout at Spectrum staff that if police have failed to act by closing our offices they will act themselves.
The neighboring tenants have also constantly questioned our activities and clients after media outing of the organization in the Red Pepper dated 24th February 2013 titled “Busted — How Gays Operate in Uganda” where Spectrum was alleged as a recruiting agency for homosexuals in Uganda and some staff of Spectrum were outed. This alerted the tenants and the landlord.
Following an urgent meeting held today of Spectrum Uganda executive, we have decided to immediately find means of relocating to a safer place and evoke on our security plan.
Spectrum Uganda Initiatives Incorporated is located on Mukwano Mall, which is in the City Centre very close to the infamous Kisekka Market where strikes and demonstrations originate from.
Spectrum Uganda Initiatives Inc requests for your assistance to relocate to a safer place and protection of its staff to continue serving the Community.
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Gay and Lesbians have their rights also. The rise in homosexuality, Lesbianism and bisexualism may seem to many a new way to express erotic Love. These sexual practices are not new. People who practice such sexual acts are now coming out because of the erosion of societal taboos, globalization and the freedom to do what one likes as long as it does not affect others. Because of medical improvements, transgender practices are now more frequent.
The trouble about these forms of sexual practices is that it is frowned upon by most members of society on the grounds that it is unnatural, kinky on an outrageous way to express sexual acts. The reaction of people on those who carry out such sexual acts is sometimes disastrous.
We all have our likes and dislikes. Going to great lengths in expressing our individual likes and dislikes in uncalled-for and should not forget that it takes all sorts to make the world; a reason why all should not be expected to behave or do things the same way.
The discrimination, stigma, harassment and attacks of gays, lesbians and bisexual are sometimes unbearable. What two or more consenting adults decide to do in private should not be the business of anybody. The freedom we want for ourselves should be the freedom that we should want for others, homosexuals and lesbians not excepted. The media, religious bodies some civil society associations and organizations sometimes condemn same sex relationship and marriages. News of killing and molesting of Gays and lesbians is rampant.
It could be recalled that the head of all Gays organizations – “Pride Equality”, a friend of mine in
Sierra Leone Mr. George Reginald Freeman, a Sierra Leonean activist recently escaped a murder attempt when someone attempted to stab him with a fragment of glass.
With all of these recorded events, when will people wake up to the call of gay and lesbians rights and hearken to the cry of activist? As long as what gays, Lesbians and bisexuals practice do not affects us, we should let them be.
It could be recalled that the head of all Gays organizations – “Pride Equality”, a friend of mine in Sierra Leone Mr. George Reginald Freeman, a Sierra Leonean activist recently escaped a murder attempt when someone attempted to stab him with a fragment of glass.
With all of these recorded events, when will people wake up to the call of gay and lesbians rights and hearken to the cry of activist? As long as what gays, Lesbians and bisexuals practice do not affects us, we should let them be.