Ugandan presidential candidate denounces homophobia
By Will Stroude
In an historic step forward, a Ugandan presidential candidate has publicly denounced homophobia and discrimination against the country’s LGBT community.
Amama Mbabazi, who also served as Prime Minister between 2011 and 2014, has drawn praise from gay right campaigners – not to mention widespread condemnation from much of the public – after saying he is “opposed to homophobia”, Gay Star News reports.
Uganda has come under heavy international pressure in recent years following a series of attempts to introduce draconian new anti-gay laws making gay sex punishable by life-long imprisonment and even death.
Speaking on NDS Television today (July 17), Mr Mbabazi said: “I am opposed to homophobia. While I believe marriage is between a man and a woman, homosexuality is not something new.
“I have stated very clearly that there shouldn’t be any discrimination and it is not the biggest threat right now in the country.”
Speaking to Gay Star News, Ugandan LGBT activist Edwin Sesange praised Mr Mbabazi for “bravely standing up against homophobia” despite its unpopularity in the central African country.
“This is the first time in Ugandan history for an aspiring presidential candidate to speak publicly against homophobia,” he said. “We call upon other presidential candidates to be inspired by him.
“We would like to make it clear that no LGBTI person in Uganda is campaigning for same-sex marriage, we are campaigning against being persecuted.”
Meanwhile, prominent Ugandan gay rights campaigner Dr Frank Mugisha recently thanked Olympic diver Tom Daley and his partner Dustin Lance Black for their support after meeting with the pair in central London last weekend – click here to find out more.
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