{UAH} Policing adult sexuality is simply futile
|
10:05 AM |
No comments |
The president’s views on homosexuality have shifted effortlessly.
On February 24, 2012 he told the BBC’s Hard-Talk programme that his views were still evolving and that he didn’t endorse discrimination against homosexuals. He also conceded that the practice existed in precolonial Africa but was not publicly approved.
Fast forward to 2014, his new stance is that homosexuals are promoting themselves and want to impose Western values on Africans. Apparently it’s un-African to publicly kiss as such amorous acts are strictly for the bedroom.
One wonders if the president has seen any Ugandan homosexual publicly kissing. By contrast, newly-married couples do the “un-African” thing every Saturday afternoon at the Sheraton gardens. And kissing, fondling, etc, are commonplace in Kampala’s bars and nightclubs.
The real reason why he signed the bill is not because “Ugandan scientists”say the practice is behavioural; it’s because public opinion is decidedly against homosexuality. Referring the matter to the scientists was nothing more than a tactical ruse to disavow blame that would predictably come from his Western patrons.
That said, like many public debates in Uganda, the homosexuality debate is shrouded in misinformation, sentimentalism and hyperbole. The discussion is lacking in rational analysis and empirical facts. And this applies to the moral guild headed by MP David Bahati and to our “saviours” in the West.
Western governments and human rights activists have done a great job peddling the falsehood that Uganda is the worst place to be a homosexual.
They conveniently cite David Kato’s murder yet the High court found that Kato was killed by a sexual partner, and not because of his activism. On the other hand, those stridently pushing for criminalizing homosexuality make at least three sets of arguments but which can’t stand critical scrutiny: cultural-religious, socio-economic and the medical implications. I will take each in turn.
First, that homosexuality is both un-African and un-Godly. But not all Ugandans are Africans and not all Ugandans believe in God. Some Ugandans are atheists. Others are traditionalists who frown at “foreign religions.” Better, we have Ugandans of Asian descent, some from the Arab world and Europe. But even more importantly, the claim that homosexuality is alien to Africa is simply false.
Second, there is the legitimate point of protecting minors against sexual abuse. Protecting underage Ugandans is noble. But policing adult sexuality is not. In fact, it’s futile. Then we have the hyperbolic charge that rich Western groups are promoting homosexuality by paying Ugandans handsomely to embrace the practice.
One evening I sent a text message to journalist Bernard Tabaire who was appearing on a radio talks-how with Ethics Minister Simon Lokodo. Through Bernard, I asked Lokodo if he personally knew at least one adult Ugandan who had been paid to be a homosexual. He couldn’t name a single person because I highly doubt there is any.
Third, homosexuality is said to have grave medical consequences. Apparently, the rectum easily raptures when a foreign object goes through. But this claim equates sexuality or sexual orientation with the act of having sex. Yet sexual intimacy does not always automatically lead to the act of having sex, in the traditional sense of the word. And how about lesbian-homosexuals?
But even if it were the case that homosexuality leads to serious medical conditions, why don’t we have a law that polices all sexual activity to ensure strict adherence to the “right” practices?
It’s no secret that Ugandan young women earn a kill by supplying anal sex to sex-tourists. The president has also told us oral sex is dangerous. But can he stop people from doing anal or oral sex? Here lies the utter futility of attempting to police adult sexuality. Yes, the West shouldn’t impose their values on us, but the state too shouldn’t impose a sexual code of conduct for all.
Lastly, this debate has fully unmasked the astonishing hypocrisy of those in the West who arrogate to themselves the moral duty to “save” Africans. They have made it look like the worst thing to have happened to Uganda is enacting a law against homosexuality.
When Museveni rigs elections, they promptly congratulate him. When his opponents are brutally arrested, the silence of Western capitals is conspicuous. When court processes are flagrantly disregarded by the militaristic regime, our self-appointed “saviours” remain unbothered. Instead, handouts that oil Museveni’s patronage system keep coming.
Suddenly, Ugandans wake up to spirited protests against the “anti-homosexuality” law. Washington warns of “complicating a valued relationship,” and London expresses disappointment. Norway swiftly announces aid cancellation and the European Union declares the new law “draconian.” But is this the first draconian law General Museveni has signed?
Our Western “saviours” expect a populist and highly authoritarian regime to protect the rights of a tiny minority yet it blatantly violates the rights of majority citizens. For them, Museveni can do whatever he wants as long as he remains a dependable ally in the so called war on terror.
moses.khisa@gmail.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
The author is a PhD candidate in Political Science at Northwestern University, Evanston/Chicago-USA.
Democracy is two Wolves and a Lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed Lamb contesting the results.
Benjamin Franklin
0 comments:
Post a Comment