Ugandan newspaper outs the country’s 100 “top homosexuals”
The names, addresses, and photos of 100 “top homosexuals” in Uganda were published in a front page story of a Ugandan tabloid, alongside a banner that read “Hang Them.”
AP reports:
In the days since it was published, at least four gay Ugandans on the list have been attacked and many others are in hiding, according to rights activist Julian Onziema. One person named in the story had stones thrown at his house by neighbors.
The report states that the paper’s managing editor claims that the article was “in the public interest.”
The international media attention around Uganda has spiked since the Uganda Anti-Homosexuality Bill was introduced over a year ago. Gays in Uganda have been subject to increased harassment in the past year.
“Before the introduction of the bill in parliament most people did not mind about our activities. But since then, we are harassed by many people who hate homosexuality,” said Patrick Ndede, 27. “The publicity the bill got made many people come to know about us and they started mistreating us.”
Nelly Kabali, 31, describes his experience: “One time I was in a night club with a friend when someone who knew me pointed at me shouting ‘There is a gay!’ People wanted to beat me up but I was saved by a bouncer who led me out.”
Additional links:
- Sexual Minorities Uganda
- Equalitopia's Voices Against Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill Facebook page
(Photo: AP)
