Uganda’s new archbishop is homophobic, maybe less harsh

Colin Stewart is a 45-year journalism veteran. He is the…

Stanley Ntagali, archbishop-elect of the Church of Uganda

The Anglican church in Uganda has elected a new archbishop to replace strident anti-homosexuality advocate Henry Orombi, who will retire in December.

The new archbishop-elect is Stanley Ntagali, who is currently bishop of the Masindi-Kitara diocese of the Church of Uganda. Like Orombi, Ntagali is anti-gay, but the men’s views aren’t identical.

Orombi has been a strong supporter of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, known as the “Kill the Gays” bill because of its original — and perhaps still current — provision calling for the death penalty for repeat offenders.

In the past, Ntagali spoke out against the death penalty for homosexuality, but supported imprisonment of LGBT people.

In 2009, in an interview with Ecumenical News International, Ntagali said, “We want to state categorically that homosexuality is unacceptable.”

The church considers homosexuals to be sinners who can repent and reform, he said.

“We have to be a moral fiber of the society,” Ntagali stated. He added:

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“I think the death penalty is not acceptable. I think taking someone to jail for a period of time would be sufficient.”

Homosexual activity is already a criminal offense under Ugandan law, which provides for sentences as long as life imprisonment for such behavior.

Under the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, Uganda could impose a seven-year jail term for anyone who “attempts to commit the offence,” anyone who “aids, abets, counsels or procures another to engage in acts of homosexuality,” and for publishing information about homosexuality. It would also require people to report homosexuals to police, including parents of gay children.