HOMOSEXUALITY

WHY MUSEVENI HIT THE BULLS’ EYE ON GAYS AND LESBIANS.
Tired of unending debate and pressure from the western powers, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni woke up  with a solution to the problem-signing the anti-gay bill into law.
The tough talking former army general who has ruled Uganda for more than two decades albeit toppling Dr Milton Obote did not mince his words when he called a rare press conference attended by members of the forth estate , government officials and even the scientists! Under the watchful eyes of the international press, he appended his signature on the bill that seeks to illegalize homosexuality sending a chilling message to America and other sympathizers of the vice.
The message here was crystal clear that Uganda and Africa at large has no room for homosexuals and other related behaviors. The Ugandan president reminded the Obama administration that his country cannot be intimidated to embrace a culture that his people have never lived with. In fact he was brave enough to tell them that he didn’t mind losing foreign donations if it meant protecting Africanism. Methinks Museveni made the right move and his inferences are quite reasonable and sound.
First, it must be known that no human being was born gay or lesbian, at least for now. The assertion that people can be born with the vice is a daylight lie, unproven, misleading and uncalled for. In fact, it’s a red herring meant to distort the reality and avoid constructive debate on the issue. Currently there is no scientific proof of existence of genes that define same sex orientation. The closest the American doctors have come to discover is that there is a possibility of such gene existing in insects. Therefore the debate should not go further as the best it can happen here is a clueless discussion.
Secondly, Museveni reminded us on the adverse effects this practice can have on the society. We were all born and brought up in societies that had high cultural and moral standards. It is natural for boys to date girls and woman and man to be pronounced husband and wife. It clearly begs a question, who on this earth has the power to change this life routine? Are they justified to do so? Well, somebody argued that you can remove a man from a village but not vice versa. So the best we can do is to stem out barbaric cultural practices that hinder human development. America might be right on its democratic agenda but there is a line they should dare not to cross. It’s a different country that does not have closely knit society unlike Africa where things are done collectively, children look up to the older members of society for advice and direction, majority of the populated are less educated and values and norms are adhered to at all times.
Another issue that must not be given a raw deal as far as homosexuality is concerned is the dangers of contracting STI’s. Doctors have continuously warned that oral sex can easily spread STI’s , Hepatitis B and even HIV and AIDS. This will consequently complicate the current efforts that are devoted to fighting the disease menace in the region. We should all keep in mind that the tropical Sahara- home for killer diseases like malaria ,typhoid and cholera- are already a burden to fight and therefore efforts should be concentrated towards eradicating them, not creating others even if unconsciously. Uganda is one of the most vulnerable in the region and her actions should not be misunderstood however cruel they may appear.
Lastly, having understood the circumstances under which homosexuality exists and spreads, we need to critically analyze the whole thing and look outside the picture. What value does it add to the society or the country at large? People talk about change. Yes, change is inevitable in the hands of the current information age. Technology has revolutionized, roads have gone supper, screens have become digital, we are doing away with the analogue thing and can you believe that our standard one pupils will be smiling all day in class with laptops on their laps.320gb computers for standard one kids!.All these are happening right now because we know in the first place what we are changing and the obvious benefits that come along. The same cannot be said of same sex marriages or such relationships, its retrogressive and adds no important value to what we want to be like in future, it’s not that dream society we would like to have in future. A lot of holes can also be poked on how in the first place people arrived at it. For instance, why is it only common in urban centres and among a learned class? Why would one walk thousands of miles across Marsabit, West Pokot and Turkana counties without bumping into a group of people demanding ‘gay’ rights?
So as much as Mr Museveni might have bitten the finger that feeds him, its worth because somebody had to make a bold move and apply brakes. After all he publicly declared that Uganda is rich and brushing shoulders with the big brother is not a big deal. The new law that can now confine a person guilty of the offence behind bars for up to 14 years is expected to set precedence among other African states.  Meanwhile America must go slow on Africans and give us time to deliberate on the issue.

By Kennedy C korir

25/02/2014