If you are gay in Uganda, the law will catch up with you

By John Kamya THE support for gay rights by retired Bishop Christopher Ssenyonjo has brought back the debate whether gay people should be given the freedom to do 'their thing.' The man of God argues that the Church is meant for all, righteous and sinners, and therefore gays should not be shunned just because of their sexual orientation. Probably, the most shocking revelation is when Bishop Ssenyonjo is alleged to have told an American audience that there are over 600,000 gays in Uganda, only that they are underground due to society's resentment and fear of possible persecution. Has our society already been infiltrated that deeply? Is it possible that among every 100 Ugandans, three are gay? God forbid! Much as Bishop Ssenyonjo sympathises with this group of people, he should be well aware that homosexuality is criminal in our legal system and is punishable by life imprisonment on conviction (Sec. 140 of the penal Code Act). he argues that he is not gay and has never practised homosexuality in his life. Agreed, but the moral, physical and financial support he is giving the group is enough to bring him into conflict with the law Think of someone who denies having ever been a rebel fighting Government but confesses to have moral sympathy for them. Such a person is considered even more of a rebel than the actual rebels. In any case, according to Ugandan law, Bishop Ssenyonjo can be treated as a principal offender. Sec. 21 of the PCA provides that if an offense is committed, on top of the one who actually commits it, even the one who abates it is guilty of the same offense. It may not be surprising therefore, if the police sought to ask Bishop Ssenyonjo a few questions when he comes back. We may need to know more about the so called Integrity Uganda (or is it?), its membership and leadership. Those who profess to lead or belong to it may in future have to prove whether they do not belong to an illegal organisation . Many people have argued that gay people should be left alone since they do their thing in private, between two consenting adults. they harm nobody, therefore the law has no business interfering with them. However, if it requires that the police interfere into peoples' private rooms to stop the vice, so be it. The law is not only meant to punish the wrong doers, but also reform them and deter others from doing the same thing. The law must ensure that society is left intact, not in tatters. Ends