Uganda has seen a surge in activism against corruption in the recent past, especially on social media. Most of it has been against the excesses of parliament.
In the past two months, various protest groups have stormed the city center marching to parliament, and many have been arrested.
Some have been released on bond, while some still languish in prisons waiting hearings.
But in all the marches and attempts to march on parliament, two youths have a story that is less heroic than the rest.
The youths have participated in various protests against laws they have deemed draconian for over ten (10) years. Most of these have been political.
Mugoye Joshua and Kirya Edwin are self-claimed human rights activists who say that they believe in the freedom of all human beings to enjoy their rights, including those that are sexual in nature.
“We participated in the 2011 walk to work protests and the recent ones when they arrested NUP leader Bobi Wine in Luuka, in the just concluded elections.” Mugoye says. He adds; my life has been activism. I don’t like seeing any infringement on people’s rights.”
“My activism has been largely social, and natural. It is not a vocation or a hobby. I just find it that I cannot stomach injustice.” Says Kirya “in the recent past, I was among the people that stood up against the rogue boda-boda 2010, and their sister group of the crime preventers that had brought untold suffering in the Makindye area.”
“They wielded guns, and extorted. They were criminals. I stood up for the ordinary people then, and I was popular.”
But things took a twist when the duo started speaking up against the anti-homosexuality law. It was first passed in 2014, then repealed by court for having been passed without quorum. Amid scrutiny over corruption and rising tensions over freedoms of assembly in the country, the bill proposing draconian law against the LGBGTQ community was returned to parliament.
“There is a problem with the politics that the people do not see. This homosexuality talk comes up when the regime is being challenged politically.” Mugoye says. “It is never about safeguarding the country against homosexuals. The politicians are not interested in that. It is political gimmick. But people do not want to understand.”
His comrade interrupts: “even then! Why do people think they should enjoy all their rights, but some tiny minority should enjoy their sexual rights in their desired way?” Kirya is puzzled.
The two have self-isolated, living in a guesthouse they have request this paper to keep anonymous for their safety. “Our residences in the Kabalagala area are now not safe. We can no longer sleep there.”
The duo claims that society accuses them of homosexuality. “When you fight for the majority, you are a hero of everybody. But when you fight for a minority, you are stigmatized. Today, we are being hunted by our own neighbors, for promoting homosexuality.”
When Margherita News asked the two on whether they have reported these threats to the police, they bashed us for feigning ignorance of “how our society is.”
“How do you report to police such a case? The police are a big problem also. They will not readily assist on cases like homosexuality and rape. In fact, you are more likely to be mocked than assisted. Besides, arresting these people for threatening us would make them popular and put our lives in more danger!” a seemingly dejected Mugoye lamented.
What about the Local Council leaders?
“There is no safe place for a suspected gay person in Uganda. The authorities are also major violators of the law, and fan the stigma among the people.”
“But we reported the issue to the community organisation that we hear fights for the rights of the stigmatized. Weka Africa has been helping us find shelter and counseling. But we do not know how far they can go.” Mugoye.
Joachim Mumbere, Executive Director of Weka Africa calls on society to understand that people are different and everyone deserves their rights and freedoms.
“We have an irresponsible government, and this trickles down to every level of authority. People placed in positions of responsibility, need to use their offices responsibly, and foster justice for everyone to enjoy their citizenship.”
He pledged to continue seeking help for the stigmatized like Mugoye and Kirya.
