Gay Today: World

U.S. Blasts Uganda's
Biased President Museveni

By Rex Wockner
International News Report

The U.S. State Department October 15 denounced Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni's September 27 announcement that the nation's homosexuals will be arrested for "abominable acts."

Museveni said: "I have told the CID [Criminal Investigations Department] to look for homosexuals, lock them up and charge them. Even the Holy Bible spells it out clearly that God created Adam and Eve as wife and husband, but not men to marry fellow men."

In a written statement, State Department Deputy Spokesman James Foley said:

"The United States views with deep concern and consternation the reported comments by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni on September 27 threatening the arrest of homosexuals based on Ugandan legislation barring homosexual activity. We would view the arrest and imprisonment of persons based on their sexual orientation as a serious human rights violation, regardless of whether such arrests are sanctioned by Ugandan legislation."

Foley continued: "Uganda is party to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as to international conventions on civil and political rights and economic, social and cultural rights.

Related Stories from the GayToday Archive:
African Leaders Attack Gays, Ignoring Wars, Disease

Kenyan President Denounces Gays and Lesbians

Zimbabwean Catholic Priest Jailed for Sodomy

Related Sites:
Lavendar Links; Africa

GayToday does not endorse related sites.

"Although they do not specifically address sexual orientation, Uganda's participation in these conventions entails a broad commitment to respect the rights of individuals in general. We urge the Ugandan government to ensure that none of its citizens face harassment or detention as a result of their sexual orientation."