Portrait of a closeted homosexual in Kampala, Uganda on February 27, 2010. With the perspective of the anti-homosexuality bill, the gay community has lived in fear for their lives and many have taken actions to protect themselves and become increasingly isolated. David Bahati’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill was tabled in Ugandan Parliament on October 2009, and is currently before the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee of Parliament.The bill proposes that a new offence be created in Uganda named "aggravated homosexuality" which would be punishable as a capital offence. The proposals included plans to introduce the death penalty for homosexuals who practiced gay sex with people under 18, with disabled people, when the accused party is HIV-positive, or for those previously convicted of homosexuality-related offences. Homosexual acts are already illegal in Uganda and punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Photograph by Bénedicte Desrus
Giles Muhame, the 22 years old managing editor of the Ugandan newspaper Rolling Stone, points to the face of David Kato, a prominent Ugandan gay rights campaigner in Kampala, Uganda on February 23, 2011. Last month David Kato was beaten to death in his home near Kampala only weeks after winning a lawsuit against the Ugandan newspaper Rolling Stone. In October 2010, the tabloid published the names, addresses and photographs of a dozen public figures, including Kato, who it believed to be gay, under the heading "Hang Them". Uganda's gay population now face renewed suppression in a country where homosexual acts already carry a punishment of 14 year's jail. Some religious and political leaders are pushing for the death penalty for people who have gay sex with disabled people, under-18s, or while being HIV positive. David Bahati's Anti-Homosexuality Bill was tabled in Ugandan Parliament on October 2009, and is currently before the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee of Parliament. Photograph by Bénedicte Desrus
Portrait of Lydia Molumba (David Kato's mother), few weeks after the burrial of her son, at her house in Nagojje, Uganda on February 24, 2011. David Kato Kisule was a prominent Ugandan LGBTQI rights activist for Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG). He was murdered in January 2011, shortly after winning a lawsuit against the Ugandan newspaper Rolling Stone which had published his name and photograph identifying him as gay and calling for him to be executed. Uganda's gay population now face renewed suppression in a country where homosexual acts already carry a punishment of 14 year's jail. Some religious and political leaders are pushing for the death penalty for people who have gay sex with disabled people, under-18s, or while being HIV positive. David Bahati's Anti-Homosexuality Bill was tabled in Ugandan Parliament on October 2009, and is currently before the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee of Parliament. Photograph by Bénedicte Desrus
An Ugandan worshiper wears a banner with homophobic message:"homosexual is evil" during an anti-gay rally held by religious and political leaders who are fighting homosexuality at Christianity Focus Centre in Kampala's biggest slum, Kisenyi in Kampala, Uganda on February 17, 2010. David Bahati's Anti-Homosexuality Bill was tabled in Ugandan Parliament on October 2009, and is currently before the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee of Parliament. The bill proposes that a new offense be created in Uganda named "aggravated homosexuality" which would be punishable as a capital offence. The proposals included plans to introduce the death penalty for homosexuals who practiced gay sex with people under 18, with disabled people, when the accused party is HIV-positive, or for those previously convicted of homosexuality-related offences. Homosexual acts are already illegal in Uganda and punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Photograph by Bénedicte Desrus
David Bahati (C), the author of the anti-homosexuality bill, is blessed by Pastor Martin Ssempa (R), Sheikh Badruh (L), and other religious leaders who are fighting homosexuality at an anti-gay rally at Christianity Focus Centre in Kampala's biggest slum, Kisenyi in Kampala, Uganda on February 17, 2010, David Bahati, an Ugandan politician member of the ruling National Resistance Movement and MP in the Ugandan parliament, came to international attention in October 2009 after introducing the Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Bill as a Private Member's Bill on 13 October proposing that a new offence be created in Uganda named "aggravated homosexuality" which would be punishable as a capital offence. The proposals included plans to introduce the death penalty for homosexuals who practiced gay sex with people under 18, with disabled people, when the accused party is HIV-positive. or for those previously convicted of homosexuality-related offences. The bill also includes provisions for Ugandans who engage in same-sex sexual relations outside of Uganda, asserting that they may be extradited for punishment back to Uganda, and includes penalties for individuals, companies, media organisations, or non-governmental organisations that support LGBT rights. Homosexuality is currently illegal in Uganda, as it is in many sub-Saharan African countries, punishable by incarceration in prison for up to 14 years. The proposed legislation in Uganda, however, has been noted by several news agencies to be heavily influenced by American evangelical Christians. Photograph by Bénedicte Desrus
Demonstrators during an anti-gay rally in the industrial city of Jinja, East of the capital Kampala, Uganda on February 15, 2010. They carry banners and signs with homophobic messages: "Yes we can say no 2 Sodomy". Some religious and political leaders are pushing for the death penalty for people who have gay sex with disabled people, under-18s, or while being HIV positive. They have garnered support for the anti-homosexuality bill by holding numerous and hateful anti-gay rallies. Each day that no decisive action is taken to throw out the bill, it encourages homophobia to spread and allow political and religious leaders to scapegoat the LGBT community for society’s ills and their own personal gain. Photograph by Bénedicte Desrus
An Ugandan worshiper cries after Ugandan Pastor Martin Ssempa screens what he called "gay porn" during an anti-gay rally at Christianity Focus Centre in Kampala's biggest slum, Kisenyi in Kampala, Uganda on February 17, 2010, David Bahati, an Ugandan politician member of the ruling National Resistance Movement and MP in the Ugandan parliament, came to international attention in October 2009 after introducing the Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Bill as a Private Member's Bill on 13 October proposing that a new offence be created in Uganda named "aggravated homosexuality" which would be punishable as a capital offence. The proposals included plans to introduce the death penalty for homosexuals who practiced gay sex with people under 18, with disabled people, when the accused party is HIV-positive. or for those previously convicted of homosexuality-related offences. The bill also includes provisions for Ugandans who engage in same-sex sexual relations outside of Uganda, asserting that they may be extradited for punishment back to Uganda, and includes penalties for individuals, companies, media organisations, or non-governmental organisations that support LGBT rights. Homosexuality is currently illegal in Uganda, as it is in many sub-Saharan African countries, punishable by incarceration in prison for up to 14 years. The proposed legislation in Uganda, however, has been noted by several news agencies to be heavily influenced by American evangelical Christians. Photograph by Bénedicte Desrus
An Ugandan religious leader reads from the Bible during an anti-gay rally in the industrial city of Jinja, East of the capital Kampala, Uganda on February 15, 2010. Some religious and political leaders are pushing for the death penalty for people who have gay sex with disabled people, under-18s, or while being HIV positive. They have garnered support for the anti-homosexuality bill by holding numerous and hateful anti-gay rallies. Each day that no decisive action is taken to throw out the bill, it encourages homophobia to spread and allow political and religious leaders to scapegoat the LGBT community for society’s ills and their own personal gain. Photograph by Bénedicte Desrus
A homosexual witch doctor performs a ceremony with friends to prevent the passing of an anti-homosexuality bill in the Uganda parliament in Kampala, Uganda on March 5, 2010. David Bahati’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill was tabled in Ugandan Parliament on October 2009, and is currently before the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee of Parliament. The bill proposes the death penalty for homosexuals, imprisonment for heterosexuals who don’t turn gays over to the police and the abolition of all organizations that support gay rights. Homosexual acts are already illegal in Uganda and punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Photograph by Bénedicte Desrus
Ugandan Pentecostal Pastor Solomon Male gives a speech during an anti-gay rally organised by the Muslims community in Mbarara, Uganda on March 7, 2010. Pastor Male is part of the "National Coalition against Homosexuality and Sexual Abuse" in Uganda. He claims he was the first person in the country to come out openly against homosexuals. Pastor Male believes that no one is born gay and that through counselling they can be cured of this "affliction". David Bahati's Anti-Homosexuality Bill was tabled in Ugandan Parliament on October 2009.The bill proposes that a new offence be created in Uganda named "aggravated homosexuality" which would be punishable as a capital offence. The proposals included plans to introduce the death penalty for homosexuals who practiced gay sex with people under 18, with disabled people, when the accused party is HIV-positive, or for those previously convicted of homosexuality-related offences. Homosexual acts are already illegal in Uganda and punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Photograph by Bénedicte Desrus
Notes in a registration book showing people who attended "Sodomy case" counselling at the office of Ugandan Pentecostal Pastor Solomon Male in Kampala, Uganda on February 22, 2011. Pastor Male is part of the "National Coalition against Homosexuality and Sexual Abuse" in Uganda. He claims he was the first person in the country to come out openly against gays. Pastor Male believes that no one is born gay and that through counselling they can be cured of this "affliction". David Bahati’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill was tabled in Ugandan Parliament on October 2009, and is currently before the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee of Parliament.The bill proposes that a new offence be created in Uganda named "aggravated homosexuality" which would be punishable as a capital offence. The proposals included plans to introduce the death penalty for homosexuals who practiced gay sex with people under 18, with disabled people, when the accused party is HIV-positive, or for those previously convicted of homosexuality-related offences. Homosexual acts are already illegal in Uganda and punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Photograph by Bénedicte Desrus
Ugandans at a bar which “allows" homosexuals in Kampala, Uganda on February 14, 2010. The bar is one of the few bars qualified as "Safe Zone" by the gay community. David Bahati’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill was tabled in Ugandan Parliament on October 2009, and is currently before the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee of Parliament. The bill proposes the death penalty for homosexuals, imprisonment for heterosexuals who don’t turn gays over to the police and the abolition of all organizations that support gay rights. Homosexual acts are already illegal in Uganda and punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Photograph by Bénedicte Desrus
Ugandan Pastor Martin Ssempa warns press against what he calls "the danger of homosexuality" at a press conference in Kampala, Uganda on February 16, 2010. He recently mades news for planning on February 17th what he called a "million man march" in Uganda in support of the anti-homosexuality bill. While public support for the bill remains strong, the Ugandan government is concerned by international pressure and outrage over a proposed bill that would further criminalize homosexuality in the country, including adding life in prison and death sentences to the punishments. Photograph by Bénedicte Desrus
An Ugandan worshiper cries and screams after Ugandan Pastor Martin Ssempa screens what he called "gay porn" during an anti-gay rally at the Christianity Focus Centre in Kampala's biggest slum, Kisenyi in Kampala, Uganda on February 17, 2010, David Bahati, an Ugandan politician member of the ruling National Resistance Movement and MP in the Ugandan parliament, came to international attention in October 2009 after introducing the Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Bill as a Private Member's Bill on 13 October proposing that a new offence be created in Uganda named "aggravated homosexuality" which would be punishable as a capital offence. The proposals included plans to introduce the death penalty for homosexuals who practiced gay sex with people under 18, with disabled people, when the accused party is HIV-positive. or for those previously convicted of homosexuality-related offences. The bill also includes provisions for Ugandans who engage in same-sex sexual relations outside of Uganda, asserting that they may be extradited for punishment back to Uganda, and includes penalties for individuals, companies, media organisations, or non-governmental organisations that support LGBT rights. Homosexuality is currently illegal in Uganda, as it is in many sub-Saharan African countries, punishable by incarceration in prison for up to 14 years. The proposed legislation in Uganda, however, has been noted by several news agencies to be heavily influenced by American evangelical Christians. Photograph by Bénedicte Desrus
Ugandans at a bar which “allows" homosexuals in Kampala, Uganda on February 14, 2010. The bar is one of the few bars qualified as "Safe Zone" by the gay community. David Bahati’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill was tabled in Ugandan Parliament on October 2009, and is currently before the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee of Parliament. The bill proposes the death penalty for homosexuals, imprisonment for heterosexuals who don’t turn gays over to the police and the abolition of all organizations that support gay rights. Homosexual acts are already illegal in Uganda and punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Photograph by Bénedicte Desrus
Ugandans at a bar which “allows" homosexuals in Kampala, Uganda on February 14, 2010. The bar is one of the few bars qualified as "Safe Zone" by the gay community. David Bahati’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill was tabled in Ugandan Parliament on October 2009, and is currently before the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee of Parliament. The bill proposes the death penalty for homosexuals, imprisonment for heterosexuals who don’t turn gays over to the police and the abolition of all organizations that support gay rights. Homosexual acts are already illegal in Uganda and punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Photograph by Bénedicte Desrus
Homosexual sex workers share a small room in a slum in Kampala, Uganda on February 16, 2011. Many of them were forced to flee their house when their family found out their sexual orientation. Without family support they have been forced to work as sex workers to survive. They say that many of their clients are straight men or women with families. A recent Anti-Homosexuality Bill has made their lives increasingly dangerous. David Bahati’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill was tabled in Ugandan Parliament on October 2009, and is currently before the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee of Parliament.The bill proposes that a new offence be created in Uganda named "aggravated homosexuality" which would be punishable as a capital offence. The proposals included plans to introduce the death penalty for homosexuals who practiced gay sex with people under 18, with disabled people, when the accused party is HIV-positive, or for those previously convicted of homosexuality-related offences. Homosexual acts are already illegal in Uganda and punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Photograph by Bénedicte Desrus
Portrait of a closeted homosexual in Kampala, Uganda on March 5, 2010. David Bahati’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill was tabled in Ugandan Parliament on October 2009, and is currently before the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee of Parliament. The bill proposes the death penalty for homosexuals, imprisonment for heterosexuals who don’t turn gays over to the police and the abolition of all organizations that support gay rights. Homosexual acts are already illegal in Uganda and punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Photograph by Bénedicte Desrus
G. and D., both 25 years old, portrayed in Kampala, Uganda on February 25, 2011. They met five years ago and today they live together in a shack in one of the capital’s slums. “In public we never show we are togetherâ€, they say. Their families are not aware they are together or that they are a couple “But they suspect it,†says D.. To avoid persecution, D. chose to leave her “fiancée†for more than a year. She settled in with a boy from her village. But once she became pregnant, she ran away. Today she brings her five-month-old son, R., to see G.. “But we will never be able to tell him the truth,†says G.. “It’s too dangerous.†David Bahati’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill was tabled in Ugandan Parliament on October 2009, and is currently before the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee of Parliament.The bill proposes that a new offence be created in Uganda named "aggravated homosexuality" which would be punishable as a capital offence. The proposals included plans to introduce the death penalty for homosexuals who practiced gay sex with people under 18, with disabled people, when the accused party is HIV-positive, or for those previously convicted of homosexuality-related offences. Homosexual acts are already illegal in Uganda and punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Photograph by Bénedicte Desrus
Some local newspapers make a habit of outing homosexuals against their will. The Mirror, now defunct, was one such example. This article comes from 2005. Photograph by Bénedicte Desrus
Auf walking in the streets of Kampala, Uganda on February 27, 2010. Auf Usaam Mukwaya is a 26 year old gay man and gay rights activist. Because of that, he was arrested and jailed a couple of times, and has endured constant homophobic taunts from his neighbors since he was outed in one of the local papers and his face was shown on television. It became impossible for him to fight back, so he had to flee his own country for his own safety. In June 2010 he arrived in France where he received political Asylum. In France, he founded AGLOAH, an organization of committed African gay and lesbians, willing to fight homophobia in Africa. David Bahati's Anti-Homosexuality Bill was tabled in Ugandan Parliament on October 2009, and is currently before the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee of Parliament. The bill proposes the death penalty for homosexuals, imprisonment for heterosexuals who don't turn gays over to the police and the abolition of all organizations that support gay rights. Homosexual acts are already illegal in Uganda and punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Photograph by Bénedicte Desrus
Auf visits his mother in the slum where he grew up in Kampala, Uganda on March 7, 2010. Auf Usaam Mukwaya is a 26 year old gay man and gay rights activist. Because of that, he was arrested and jailed a couple of times, and has endured constant homophobic taunts from his neighbors since he was outed in one of the local papers and his face was shown on television. It became impossible for him to fight back, so he had to flee his own country for his own safety. In June 2010 he arrived in France where he received political Asylum. In France, he founded AGLOAH, an organization of committed African gay and lesbians, willing to fight homophobia in Africa. David Bahati's Anti-Homosexuality Bill was tabled in Ugandan Parliament on October 2009, and is currently before the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee of Parliament. The bill proposes the death penalty for homosexuals, imprisonment for heterosexuals who don't turn gays over to the police and the abolition of all organizations that support gay rights. Homosexual acts are already illegal in Uganda and punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Photograph by Bénedicte Desrus
Auf Usaam Mukwaya, a 26 year old gay man and a friend participate in a ritual with a homosexual witch-doctor to prevent the passing of an anti-homosexuality bill in the Uganda parliament in Kampala, Uganda on March 4, 2010. If the draconian law is passed many in the gay community fear their lives will become unlivable, and may even be killed. David Bahati's Anti-Homosexuality Bill was tabled in Ugandan Parliament on October 2009. The bill proposes that a new offense be created in Uganda named "aggravated homosexuality" which would be punishable as a capital offense. The proposals included plans to introduce the death penalty for homosexuals who practiced gay sex with people under 18, with disabled people, when the accused party is HIV-positive, or for those previously convicted of homosexuality-related offenses. Homosexual acts are already illegal in Uganda and punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Photograph by Bénedicte Desrus