LGBT activists to hackers: Lay off Uganda websites

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

Anonymous hackers' symbol — Anonymous hackers’ symbol

LGBT activists in Uganda have condemned the recent defacing of Ugandan government websites by hackers associated with the group Anonymous.

The hackers said they acted in protest of Uganda’s treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people, but Ugandan activists denounced the action as counterproductive and potentially dangerous to LGBTIs.

Sexual Minorities Uganda, or SMUG, issued a statement today, saying:

SMUG and its partners do not condone this action. No member in our office, network, or in the Ugandan LGBTI community was consulted or involved in this action by “Anonymous” in any way. The hacking of government websites and the corresponding statements by Anonymous do not reflect the views of SMUG and its partners, allies and/or friends.

As Ugandans ourselves, we stand with our community and equally share in the burden of this illegal and counterproductive action. In our view, the act opens every Ugandan citizen to the potential of danger and hinders the operations of our sovereign nation. Additionally, it has the unfortunate potential consequence of further targeting the LGBTI community — the very individuals Anonymous claims to be supporting through their action.
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SMUG said that “as an organization that advocates and practices only peaceful and legal pathways in its effort to ensure that basic human rights are guaranteed to all Ugandan citizens, SMUG and its partners would like to distance and distinguish themselves from the organization that calls itself Anonymous.” It added:

Sexual Minorities Uganda does not condone the activities of this group and shares in the dismay, frustration and anger that our fellow citizens have experienced. We are prepared to work with the Ugandan government to ensure that those responsible for this action are found and held accountable.