Uganda / Violence against Homosexuals

Ugandan Tabloid Publishes New "Gay List"
CNN.com, November 1, 2010
"The editor of a tabloid in Uganda who argues that homosexuality is more dangerous than smoking, has published a list of 10 gay and lesbian people in the African nation, urging readers to report them to the police. It's the second time that Rolling Stone -- no relation to the iconic U.S. music magazine -- has published such a list. Last time it listed 100 of what it called the country's top gays and lesbians, with photos and addresses alongside a yellow banner reading 'hang them.' Gay rights groups in Uganda say at least four people have been attacked since then. And a bill that would make homosexuality potentially punishable by death is working its way through Uganda's parliament. The new gay list includes addresses and alleged intimate details about the anatomy of people on it. Editor Giles Muhame, 22, has discouraged readers to physically attack people on the list, but he claims gay people are going to schools and 'recruiting' schoolchildren. He says the bill imposing harsh penalties for homosexuality will become law when Uganda begins drilling oil and becomes less dependent on foreign donors.
The Ugandan lawmaker behind the bill says told CNN last week it will become law 'soon.' 'We are very confident,' David Bahati said, 'because this is a piece of legislation that is needed in this country to protect the traditional family here in Africa, and also protect the future of our children.' Governments that have donated aid to Uganda and human rights groups have applied massive pressure since the bill was proposed a year ago, and most believed that the bill had been since shelved. Not so, says Bahati, adding, 'Every single day of my life now I am still pushing that it passes.' [...]"