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July, 2007
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The NTV tower. Nairobi,
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Steve at the lap top
Nairobi, Kenya
July, 2007
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Gays, Bishops Clash At Chogm
The Monitor (Kampala)
23 November 2007
By Agness Nandutu
Kampala
Just as Commonwealth leaders prepared to take on the crisis in Pakistan, another
one seemed to have pentrated the club from the Anglican communion- the issue
of gays.
Bishops of the Province of the Church of Uganda and gay activists clashed at the
Commonwealth People's Space at Hotel Africana yesteraday when gays
overheard bishops telling journalists that Commonwealth countries should not
promote their activities.
The Commonwealth People's Space is part of the on going Chogm activities
where people from all walks of life and the public freely enter and express their
interests and interact among themselves. While Bishops were addressing a press
conference against gays at the People's Space, the gay activists were also
watching a film that was highlighting their feelings about society.
It all started when the gay activists overheard Assistant Bishop of Kampala
Church of Uganda Diocese, Zac Niringiye, telling journalists that Commonwealth
countries should not make laws that give gay rights to engage in lesbianism and
homosexuality. Mr John William Foster, a gay from Canada, did not take the
comments lightly. He asked Bishop Niringiye why he did not want gays to have
rights in their own countries.
"How do you dare say that? In my own Country, I have the right to exist and my
church allows me to marry a fellow man. Can you stop it," Mr Foster shouted as
other visitors watched.
Bishop Niringiye responded, "It depends on the values of your church. In Uganda,
homosexuality is an evil." Other gays could not let the Bishop explain. They came
forward in one chorus pointing fingers towards Bishop Niringiye telling him, "We
are human beings like you."
Sensing danger, others bishops pulled away their colleague and joined other
people to watch the documentary. That seemed to appease the gays.
"Now you are free [to watch],"they said. "But if you continue speaking against us,
we shall pull you out." The bishops remained calm and continued watching.
Bishop Niringiye later told journalists that gays were free to express their interests
in the Chogm People's Space.
"It's not about silencing them,"he said. But we should put in place legislation that
does not allow the practice to be promoted."
At a press conference the bishops called upon Commonwealth countries not to
condone homosexuality saying it's a human wrong and never a right.
"The Commonwealth should not legislate for human wrongs. Homosexuality is an
evil, which should never be discussed during Chogm. In Chogm meetings, we
should advocate for them to change because the act is unnatural," Bishop
Niringiye said.
The issue of rights of gays and lesbians was one of the recommendations in the
Civil Society Statement to the Commonwealth Heads of State Meeting.
Bishop Niringire said, "As a church, we are telling Commonwealth heads of
governments to formulate value systems to solve the question of lesbianism and
homosexuality being a human right."
The Bishops also called upon the Commonwealth to put in place sanctions that
would hold heads of governments accountable if they do not implement Chogm
recommendations.
They also asked the Commonwealth to tackle issues of good governance and
corruption. "We have been misgoverned. We do not lack resources but the
question of corruption has not been adequately dealt with in the Commonwealth
countries," said Rev Canon Aaron Mwesigye, the provincial secretary Church of
Uganda.
Mwesigye also said it was wrong approach to suspend Zimbabwean President
Robert Mugabe from Commonwealth.
"Suspending Zimbabwe is wrong. They would have Mugabe to come and attend
Chogm so that he is held accountable. Suspending him does not solve the crisis,"
he said. Zimbabwe was suspended from the Commonwealth in 2004.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright © 2007 The Monitor. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global
Media (allAfrica.com).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Monitor (Kampala)
23 November 2007
By Agness Nandutu
Kampala
Just as Commonwealth leaders prepared to take on the crisis in Pakistan, another
one seemed to have pentrated the club from the Anglican communion- the issue
of gays.
Bishops of the Province of the Church of Uganda and gay activists clashed at the
Commonwealth People's Space at Hotel Africana yesteraday when gays
overheard bishops telling journalists that Commonwealth countries should not
promote their activities.
The Commonwealth People's Space is part of the on going Chogm activities
where people from all walks of life and the public freely enter and express their
interests and interact among themselves. While Bishops were addressing a press
conference against gays at the People's Space, the gay activists were also
watching a film that was highlighting their feelings about society.
It all started when the gay activists overheard Assistant Bishop of Kampala
Church of Uganda Diocese, Zac Niringiye, telling journalists that Commonwealth
countries should not make laws that give gay rights to engage in lesbianism and
homosexuality. Mr John William Foster, a gay from Canada, did not take the
comments lightly. He asked Bishop Niringiye why he did not want gays to have
rights in their own countries.
"How do you dare say that? In my own Country, I have the right to exist and my
church allows me to marry a fellow man. Can you stop it," Mr Foster shouted as
other visitors watched.
Bishop Niringiye responded, "It depends on the values of your church. In Uganda,
homosexuality is an evil." Other gays could not let the Bishop explain. They came
forward in one chorus pointing fingers towards Bishop Niringiye telling him, "We
are human beings like you."
Sensing danger, others bishops pulled away their colleague and joined other
people to watch the documentary. That seemed to appease the gays.
"Now you are free [to watch],"they said. "But if you continue speaking against us,
we shall pull you out." The bishops remained calm and continued watching.
Bishop Niringiye later told journalists that gays were free to express their interests
in the Chogm People's Space.
"It's not about silencing them,"he said. But we should put in place legislation that
does not allow the practice to be promoted."
At a press conference the bishops called upon Commonwealth countries not to
condone homosexuality saying it's a human wrong and never a right.
"The Commonwealth should not legislate for human wrongs. Homosexuality is an
evil, which should never be discussed during Chogm. In Chogm meetings, we
should advocate for them to change because the act is unnatural," Bishop
Niringiye said.
The issue of rights of gays and lesbians was one of the recommendations in the
Civil Society Statement to the Commonwealth Heads of State Meeting.
Bishop Niringire said, "As a church, we are telling Commonwealth heads of
governments to formulate value systems to solve the question of lesbianism and
homosexuality being a human right."
The Bishops also called upon the Commonwealth to put in place sanctions that
would hold heads of governments accountable if they do not implement Chogm
recommendations.
They also asked the Commonwealth to tackle issues of good governance and
corruption. "We have been misgoverned. We do not lack resources but the
question of corruption has not been adequately dealt with in the Commonwealth
countries," said Rev Canon Aaron Mwesigye, the provincial secretary Church of
Uganda.
Mwesigye also said it was wrong approach to suspend Zimbabwean President
Robert Mugabe from Commonwealth.
"Suspending Zimbabwe is wrong. They would have Mugabe to come and attend
Chogm so that he is held accountable. Suspending him does not solve the crisis,"
he said. Zimbabwe was suspended from the Commonwealth in 2004.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright © 2007 The Monitor. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global
Media (allAfrica.com).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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