Uganda Tabloid ‘Red Pepper’ Names Homosexuals In Gay ‘Witch Hunt’
The Red Pepper tabloid of Uganda posted a list of the “top” 200 homosexual offenders in the country in what protestors are calling a gay witch hunt. Just one day after Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni signed what is becoming known as the anti-gay law, the newspaper put their list on the front page.
Museveni told CNN that his reason for enforcing a more strict ban on homosexuals is that it an unnatural relationship and can not be considered a human rights issue. One quote specifically is shocking a western world not accustomed to the morally conservative views of Uganda.
“They’re disgusting. What sort of people are they? I never knew what they were doing. I’ve been told recently that what they do is terrible. Disgusting. But I was ready to ignore that if there was proof that that’s how he is born, abnormal. But now the proof is not there.”
Red Pepper is known for promoting the normal type of news expected from tabloids. Homosexuals found their way onto the cover with the headline “EXPOSED!” Plastered on the front page are pictures and words meant to incite the predominately anti-gay citizens. A similar move by a former Ugandan tabloid in 2011 led to the death of a man by the name of David Kato.
While homosexuality had already been illegal in Uganda, Museveni’s signature on the new bill now enforces possible life sentences and lesbians are specifically included. One lesbian named in the top 200 “homos”, Jacqueline Kasha, took to Twitter and specifically said the Red Pepper was trying to begin a new witch hunt.
#AHBUganda: The media witch hunt is back. 200 Top Homos exposed in redpepper pic.twitter.com/sbofQxvSyM
— Kasha Jacqueline (@KashaJacqueline) February 25, 2014
There were even reports of attacks already happening as early as Tuesday morning.
#AHBUganda:Suspected Gay couple attacked.1 is dead.this is so terrible.I weep for my community.Effected of Media pic.twitter.com/IM85QSSAN5
— Kasha Jacqueline (@KashaJacqueline) February 25, 2014
By taking a more firm position against homosexuals, Museveni is in danger of impacting the economic status of his country. Western nations are already considering placing some sort of sanctions against Uganda if they do not reconsider the laws which includes things like aiding and abetting, attempt to commit, conspiracy to engage in, and touching with intent.
From a cultural perspective, the African country could experience what happens when their morally conservative values encounter the global exchange of ideas. By pulling out aid and applying political pressure, other nations can have an impact on one another. Museveni appears guilty of severely underestimating the greater power this decision will have. Especially if citizens begin to take matters into their own hands.
Should western nations cut funding to Museveni and his government? Will the posting of 200 homosexuals in the Uganda Red Pepper tabloid will lead to an all out gay witch hunt?
