Don’t kill in God’s name

Andrew M. Mwenda Gedanken is Latin for “thought experiments.” Romans must have borrowed it from the Greeks; it is Socrates who began the practice of questioning dogmas and assumptions. Whenever Athenians claimed to have delivered justice or to have been honest, Socrates would ask, “totee?” or “what is it? What do you mean by these words with which you so easily settle debates?” As Will Durant has written, this would let loose the dogs of intellectual war, a fact that makes Plato’s dialogues a compelling read.

Let us gedanken the assumptions that inform homophobia in Uganda and therefore shaped David Bahati’s anti-gay bill. Those opposed to homosexuality argue that it is un-African. But they do not point out any specific traditional and cultural sanctions against gays in any particular pre-colonial African society. Instead, they turn to Christianity – a religion that is not African and is indeed against many African traditions.

Africa is a continent of over 6,000 cultures. None of these “African cultural fundamentalists” actually knows the traditions of any pre-colonial African society in significant detail. So their claims are without any empirical basis. Many studies show that homosexuality existed in pre-colonial Africa attracting differing levels of acceptance. One such study was by Prof. Tibamanya Mwene Mushanga showing that homosexuality was practised and tolerated among the Bahima in pre-colonial Ankole.

Many African cultures do not even have the word homosexuality. This suggests that either the practice did not exist (which is very unlikely) and so society did not take a moral position on it or it existed on the margins (which is very likely) but society had not pronounced itself on it. Either way, pre-colonial Africa was not hostile to homosexuality. Instead, this hostility began with the introduction of Christianity and colonial rule.

It is very difficult to use Christianity to justify Bahati’s bill because throughout his ministry, Jesus scorned capital punishment for moral wrongs. When Jesus found a crowd trying to stone to death a young woman who had committed adultery, He only said; “let he who has never sinned cast the first stone” and the crowd melted away. He rejected all rigid enforcement of religious dogmas including of the Sabath; so it is difficult to use His teachings to kill anyone in His name.

In his reply to my column, Bahati argued that sins like murder, rape and theft are punished under our criminal system. Granted! But these are acts that harm third parties. Sins like fornication are not criminalised because they do not harm others. Simon’s sex with Jane does not harm me; the same should apply to John and Moses or Sandra and Susan. Almost all our leaders from the president down have second and third wives. Bahati tolerates adultery and fornication but is hostile to homosexuality. Why?

In their hostility to homosexuality, Bahati and his supporters are not driven by Christian beliefs – although they may genuinely think they are. Rather they are driven by a deeply held prejudice. A prejudice is a predisposition to something, a bias that is often not informed by facts but by intuition, tradition or culture. It is the mother of chauvinism, bigotry, intolerance, and narrow-mindedness. A prejudice may be rooted in religion, culture or pseudo science, but it also helps to produce them.

Four decades ago, it would have been scandalous for a woman in Uganda to wear trousers or a mini skirt. When they began to wear them, there was an outcry from male chauvinists that our culture was going to the dogs. Now they do and we are still okay. When black people demanded equal rights in the US, white society talked of a coming apocalypse. Just read The New York Times of July 5, 1910 after Jack Johnson (black) knocked out Jim Jeffries (white) in the world heavyweight boxing title match. Cultural change is difficult to accept but inevitable.

As I have travelled around the world and confronted different cultures, I have learnt just how narrow-minded some of my cultural beliefs are. I have been served snails and lizards in Nigeria, rats in Ghana, pig brains in Hungary and dog meat in South Korea. Every self respecting peasant in my village would consider the people who eat these foods primitive. To cope requires open mindedness.

Bahati said he would not wish his son to marry my son and invite him for the wedding. That is a good wish. But what would he do if that happened – and it is a real possibility? Former US vice president Dick Cheney was like Bahati until his daughter turned out to be lesbian. It is always better to hope for the best but prepare for the worst. Unknown to Bahati, a gay/lesbian person could be his son, brother, wife, mother or best friend. He will never know because they just hide it from him.

Anti-homosexuals claim that if gays are accepted, humanity may get extinct. Yet they do not strike me as being that grandiose in ambition i.e. seeking to save humankind. The challenge facing us is over-population. That is why there are many birth control and family planning programmes being promoted around us. In this case, homosexuality should be welcome because it will check over-population.

The biggest threat to human life is war – so we should see Bahati and group campaigning against nuclear proliferation and the spread of other weapons of mass destruction. The other danger is climate change caused by human activity through industrial expansion and population pressures. In Uganda, corruption that has killed our healthcare system is a bigger danger to life than gays. A seriously committed save-humanity crusader would have more serious issues to deal with before declaring war on homosexuals.

Bahati and his supporters are concerned about “our children” in schools who are being “lured” into homosexuality. Yet the biggest problem is heterosexual men using money to lure young girls into sex. Homosexuals are a tiny minority in this game to attract the attention Bahati is giving them. Defilement is bad whether done by a man to a girl or a man to a boy. We do not need a separate law for gays to deter sex with minors.

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Nothing new
written by Juma kato, December 16, 2009

Mwenda has run out of things to say on this subject . if he wants the death sentence to be abolished , he should just say that . But then , even in USA a country that he claims has opened his eyes , they still kill in the name of God . There is a priest on every hanging .

Bahati bill is very clear .Those homosexuals who rape or intentionally infect others with HIV will be hanged like anybody else .

-4

Mwenda makes the point .
written by Juma kato, December 16, 2009

While one can be served with dog meat in South Korea , another one will be arrested for serving it in Uk . While one can be fed on pig brains in Hungary , one would be imprisoned for life for displaying a pigs picture in Saudi Arabia. If the Nigerians enjoy eating lizards , will Mwenda serve a lizard menu in Toro ?

Mwenda should now try to imagine a scenario where different cultures impose their traditions on others .; that is what the West is trying to do with Uganda . They are telling us what we should eat or not eat .
Uganda is going to support the BILL.

...
written by demiesuisse, December 16, 2009

gedanke is german. it means thoughts. sententia is thought in latin. btw.

social worker
written by Jerry obba, December 16, 2009

I see a lot of Western hypocrisy with regards to the Gay & lesbian debate in Uganda,they talk of democracy yet when a democratically elected parliament of an independent nation is making a law that is popular with the masses they are up in arms,is it because they think we are an inferior people and not capable of making decisions that suit our interests?

NATURAL LAW HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH TYPES OF FOOD!
written by OJA, December 16, 2009

Mwenda, today I see your argument on homosexualtiy is very shallow. When you say in Nigeria they eat lizards, dogs in Korea, snails, etc elsewhere that has nothing to do with the gravity of promoting homosexuality. HOMOSEXUALITY IS A DISORIENTATION FROM AND A FATAL MOVE AGAINST NATURAL LAW. When men partner up with men, women with women, the human race is potentially condemned and tilted towards extinction. There is nothing like killing in the name of God in the Bahati bill that is proposed. He is simply trying to defend the natural law. In Uganda, just like elsewhere we are entitled to defend human life and propagate it. Who are you to try to water down and silence our right to defend human life which is facing a potential danger from being extinct?

-1

AFRICAN CULTURES SILENT??
written by OJA, December 16, 2009

Mwenda, in certain African traditional societies homosexuals could have existed but tell us how they were treated and considered by the society. If many African cultures have no words or laws about it and are therefore mostly silent on the issue, it is fair and therefore logical to assert that it didn't exist. When I don't know something and I don't experience it in my environment you can't say I am pretending to be ignorant about it. It is clear it does not exist and I don't know about it. For instance you cannot accuse my mother of not knowing about Amazon river. It doesn't exist in her environment and therefore is out of her knowledge and cannot formulate any idea about it.

...
written by Mafta Mingi, December 16, 2009

does m7 really need to regulate on who I sleep with in my bedroom ? we know he is jealous of many having money though he pretends to help many , anyway gays and lesbians are more powerful than his commandos and are in more powerful positions than his relatives in his corrupt government , creating International enemies may not be in a coward dictator's interest , though in many Ugandans interest

-1

Threes a reason why its called the closet
written by Huh..., December 16, 2009

OJA - Its not reasonable to assume that. WE have examples of gay couples going back thousands and thousands of years. Some cultures did embrace different sexualities, but most did not. The closet was as real back then as it is now

Anyway @ Jerry. I would agree the west is hypocritical. The West(which isnt really a unified entity but w/e) acts in its own interests to often. But I think the west realizes a few things here...
1. The deprivation of human rights is wrong
2. This bill hurts the fight against HIV/Aids
3. The west can't sit back and let genocide happen again as they did in Rwanda.
Besides, it is their money they are pouring into Uganda(just like colonialism and religion in the olden days), its no surprise that they feel that they want that money to go and actually help people.

Just a matter of natural selection
written by Joe. K, December 16, 2009

Ugandans should not loss sleep because of gays, they are just a bunch of sexually invalids as they cannot perform to satisfy their would be heterosexual patterners. So its nature that is selecting them against. If they are law abiding, not corrupt, and contribute postively to society leave them alone. Please Ugandans worry not!

Don’t kill in God’s name
written by brian, December 16, 2009

Thank you for your simple logical presentation. By the way I think God in his commandments said THOU SHALL NOT KILL, he did not say 'ecept gays and murderers' the death penalty has been abolished in all civilized countries and yes I am exempting those states in the US who still keep it. By the way how many defilers of under 18 year old Girls have been Hanged under the EXISTING law...none, why???????????????? so why introduce an new Death Penalty.

CHRISTIANITY IS AFRICAN
written by Buhenza Lamech, December 16, 2009

Mwenda knows so little about these grand ideas he wants to tap into; so if Christianity was not African I ask, what was Jesus Christ doing in Egypt as a baby? Most great theological thinkers will relate historical facts to their perceptions. Just tell M7 to give Ugandans federalism so w can now begin sharing the animal he snatched from Okello I mean he caught withe the help of the Luwero-ans. Are those Baganda or Baluuli? I also gather that Baluuli is the combined word to sho people of a mixed heritage i.e: Ba=Baganda, Laalo =Luu, Achooli =Li. debate if you want; all I know is that they are the most royal to His Majesty Kabaka of Buganda,

Oh dear OJA
written by Omeros, December 16, 2009

"If many African cultures have no words or laws about it and are therefore mostly silent on the issue, it is fair and therefore logical to assert that it didn't exist. When I don't know something and I don't experience it in my environment you can't say I am pretending to be ignorant about it. It is clear it does not exist and I don't know about it. " @ OJA - there cannot be many better examples of what I can only describe as the egocentric fallacy than this. If you are ignorant of the existence of something, the fact of your ignorance does not render the thing of which you are ignorant non-existent. The fact that I do not know there to be a bomb planted in my car does not cause the bomb to cease to exist.

The illogic of Mwenda's arguments
written by Maazi N.C. Okezue-Umeh, December 16, 2009

Andrew Mwenda, I admire you for your fearlessness in articulating your views, but I have to say on this "homo" issue, I am quite disappointed. In fact all your analogies in the article is ridiculous and does not follow logic at all. Homosexuality as a form of birth-control? Are you kidding Andrew? Any way count yourself lucky that you and Sylvia Tamale are free to speak out in favour of gayism in Uganda. In USA and Europe, the quickest way to end your career as a professional is to say that homosexuality is wrong. It doesn't matter if you merely say that you have no wish to see it criminalized.

The illogic of Mwenda's arguments (continued)
written by Maazi N.C. Okezue-Umeh, December 16, 2009

Carrie Prejean lost her chance of becoming Miss USA and ultimately her crown as Miss California for simply stating that though she respected the rights of gays (including that of her lesbian mum) to privacy, she felt that marriage should be restricted to males and females. If Uganda allows itself to be defeated by Euro-America on this issue this will send message to Western Gays that militancy is the way to pressure Uganda to de-criminalize gays and perharps 20 yrs down the line, a person could be sacked in Uganda for saying Gayism is wrong

The illogic of Mwenda's arguments (continued)
written by Maazi N.C. Okezue-Umeh, December 16, 2009

Carrie Prejean lost her chance of becoming Miss USA and ultimately her crown as Miss California for simply stating that though she respected the rights of gays (including that of her lesbian mum) to privacy, she felt that marriage should be restricted to males and females. If Uganda allows itself to be defeated by Euro-America on this issue this will send message to Western Gays that militancy is the way to pressure Uganda to de-criminalize gays and perhaps 20 yrs down the line, a person could be sacked in Uganda for saying Gayism is wrong

What would Christ do?
written by Michael , December 16, 2009

Don’t give up on Uganda. The country recently outlawed the savage practice of cutting the clitorises out of their females.

I have no respect for religious tyrants: people are too sexy for their hate, too sexy for their lies, and too sexy for their self-righteous genocide. We must expose the religious tyrants for the evil control freaks that they are.

Corrupt officials, religious tyrants, and mass murderers all move to the front of the death penalty line!

What would Christ do?
written by Michael , December 16, 2009

...
written by harmless, December 17, 2009

Clearly mwenda knows where the money is. he knows he will attract attention of the west and money will flow. they will use him to fight drum up support for the queers. he will lauded and his bank account will swell. I have always challenged mwenda to explain his sudden wealth from the salary of journalist at the monitor.

Bahatti worse than homosexuals.
written by Musa Edgar, December 17, 2009

Mwenda and the readers, i would like to reveal to you this information you don't know about Mr Bahatti, while running his Roots club business along Buganda road , he always brought different young girls from Makerere University and have sex with in his office at that club. Does Mr Bahatti want to tell us that those girls were his age, or having sex with those girls who were not his official wife was OK? Where as sI dont support homosexual but its their right, and Bahatti has no moral authority to judge them.

oba
written by solomon, December 17, 2009

jerry oba

Hilter was elected and the third riech was very popular with its holocast is that your point

-1

Battle with Mwenda!
written by Rev Amos Kasibante, December 17, 2009

First to assault Mwenda's under-belly that opens him to criticism: he used the theory of cultural relativism (e.g eating dogs and snakes in Burma, Thailand etc) that has easily been used to refute his thesis: it gives ammunitiion to those advocating Uganda's autonomy and cultural specificity who then argue that Uganda is free to have its own laws according to our dictates. Another under-belly point is Mwenda's use of Kantian (Enlightenment) philosophy of the difference between "fact" and "value" and mutatis mutandis fact vs culture, tradition, custom. Except in very strict empirical analysis, this distinction does not always apply. Culture, tradition and custom are also part of factual reality. For positive appraisal - see next.

Battle with Mwenda!
written by Rev Amos Kasibante, December 17, 2009

But actually, Mwenda's article is a summons to think "outside the box" and to not deny facts. One fact that is denied in an unscientific and irrational way is the presence of homosexuals and homosexuality prior in pre-colonial Africa (including the territory now covered by Uganda). Outside the box means further that we admit that we do not fully understand sexuality or even what is natural, should keep an open mind, argue, gather evidence and avoid demonisation. Ignorance has led to criminalisation, persecution and death only later for science and advance of knowledge to reveal that behaviour so regarded should never have been.

Mwenda knows so little about Biblical ruling on homosexuality
written by Kankaka Edward Nelson, December 17, 2009

Andrew,
Your argument clearly tells you are misinformed about the Biblical ruling on sodomy.
Do you know that in the New-Testament (the Post-Jesus era), the Bible reprimands those who approve of homosexuality, and even goes further to say that such as these even deserve death? Andrew, please read ROMANS 1:18-32. Then you will know that your argument is misinformed and lacking.
The Antigay bill seeks to protect victims against molesters. Why are you defending the criminals? Do you not know that he who defends a criminal is in the same wrong as the criminal?
Please be Ugandan. Do not let yourself be outsmarted by ideas of Morally failed states.
Bahati, Buturo, Museveni, Sempa, Langa are right to defend the interest of 95% Ugandans.

The REVERAND and his FACTS
written by Juma kato, December 17, 2009

What FACT is there to prove that there is a GOD ? What fact is there that Jesus was the son of God ?
Is it not a FACT that man can have sex with a dog , as some white men and women do ? Is it not a fact that in some cultures a man can marry a child who later becomes a good wife and a mother ? Should we "think outside the box" about this sexuality too ?
Mwenda needs education and rehabilitation more that he needs support . A competent Reverand should be telling Mwenda what Jesus`s message was : Hate Sin , but not the sinner . When Jesus challenged the crowd that was about to stone the woman that had commited adultery, he did not endorse the act of commiting adultery . To Sinners , he said : " go repent and sin no more"
Uganda is going to pass this bill

About facts and truth
written by Rev Amos Kasibante, December 17, 2009

@Juma Kato - did he clearly follow my argument? I made the point about "facts" not in support, but in criticism of Mwenda's argument. Philosophy: There's a difference between a "fact" and "facts" and "truth". Fact refers to data or a state of affairs. It may be true or false or neutral. In this case, even a perception may be factual, in the sense of being real. Truth on the other hand compels us to believe it. It would be inconsistent to say something is true or the truth but that you don't believe it. A fact is a state of affairs among other comparable states of affairs. In that sense God is NOT a "fact" strictly speaking, as God is not an object among other objects. And statement that Jesus is the Son of God cannot be empirically verified.

Jesus and the woman caught in adultery
written by Rev Amos Kasibante, December 17, 2009

Very well known story, isn't it? Or is it? Jesus told the woman to "go and sin no more". Might Jesus' imperative have meant, not just the adultery, but a turning of her whole life, a re-arranging of her priorities? In which case, the fixation on adultery might be a miscontrual of Jesus' intention? Isn't the thrust on this story on the hypocrisy of the self-righteous accusers instead of the woman? Do we realise that this is not a story about homosexuality, but about a specific heterosexual action? And that is what the story is about - not homosexuality.

Thanx mwneda to prove my conspiracy
written by MABO, December 17, 2009

The fact that mr mwenda has deliberately or accidentally stated that the acts of gays can help in family planning gives credence to my comment on Hon Bahati's article that "long term the west wants to use gayism to curb population growth in guise of "freedom & rights". Wht makes mwenda & his co-hots lose thier arguments is failure to seperate "whts right" and "Whts correct". Thts wht has made most elites act shameless in our societies. Most seem to be "bright" but lack "wisdom" thts why all the so called philosophers they quote combined "wisdom" and "bright" to shape society. N:B not all genius guys have wisdom!

Thanx mwneda to prove my conspiracy
written by MABO, December 17, 2009

Probably to mwenda even bestailists shld be free to do there 'thing" coz they hurt/kill no body,hence soon they will demand recognition to "marry" an animal of Mr X or Y! If whites condon gays let them not gag it on us. Look at the way they cause havoc around the world in the name of democracy. Are'nt guys in palestine,afganstan,Iraq,somalia entitled to these rights also? Look at the rate of envt destruction,weapons of mass killing,lab designed diseases,trade imbalances,brain drain,plunder of resources. Where are thes "saints" of rights & equity to save man kind?

continued
written by MABO, December 17, 2009

Am sure if this bill had been proposed in kigali,mwenda would be a strong suprorter(ironinically quoting fitting african tradition acts against gayism) or he would turn a blind eye like he has so often done on any thing thorny abt his "hero" there( I hope its guinuine). Look at Obama who promised to pull out USA forces whn in power,now he is sending 30,000 to afganstan!!! Lets recall the world wars,nagasaki,hiroshima,arpethied,HIV etc who is to blame?This is the worst hypocracy from them( west). Let the west offer visas to any ugnadan gay NOW,we can stay wth out them! For God & my country.

This is a moral issue: God[Jesus] said that all are sinners
written by Ocheto, December 17, 2009

Priests and nuns don't procreate either. Woul you call this the roman catholic church's idea of population/ birth control ? While the RCC never defrocks its pedophile priests, heterosexuals too spread HIV, and the corrupt politicians are pillaging and plundering with impunity. Therefore heterosexuals, the clergy and the corrupt politicians have no moral grounds to subject the gays to such draconism (death), when they aren't any more righteous; it smacks of height of hypocrisy. If it is true that God considers homosexuality a sin then the gays will face His - not the immoral heterosexuals' - wrath. So, punishment (not extremism) for criminal behavior should fit the crime irrespective of the criminal's sexual orientation.

OMERO, WHAT IS EGOCENTRIC FALLACY?
written by OJA, December 17, 2009

It seems you are creating another theory in logic. Unfortunately you reacted to my argument without proper perception. Knowledge begins from one's environment that is why you know more about your locality than any other area. So likewise if homosexuals existed in many localities in traditional past, many cultures would have been prominent about it. Or in those societies where they existed they were probably at the periphery of society and despised. But it is highly likely that they didn't exist in many cultures (e.g., among the Lugbara) that is why they have no word to describe it and can't even conceive that a man should partner up with a man and claim it is marriage. My argument centres on the LOCALITY in relation to knowledge and evolution of language or terms.

The Parable of the Good Samaritan
written by Rev Amos Kasibante, December 17, 2009

And he told them this parable: "A man was travelling from Kampala to Jinja when the taxi he was in over-turned near Mabira Forest. Many heterosexual men ran to the scene, went through the pockets of dead and injured victims helping themselves to money, mobile phones, and wrist watches. But there was a homosexual guy who helped the wounded and tried to protect their property until the police came. Which of these was neighbour to the victims?". Compare that to the Parable of the Good Samaritan. Samaritans were outcasts and ritually unclean sinners as far as the Jews were concerned. How shocking the parable must have been to them! And it was meant to shock.

Facts
written by Juma kato, December 17, 2009

The story about adultery was used by Mwenda to imply that when Jesus rebuked the hypocrirites , he endorsed adultery - Mwendas reasoning is rooted in the assumption that this had to be the only possible conclusion because Jesus did not blame the woman . But ,Jesus condemned both mistakes , aka sins : hypocricy and adultary.
Similarly , a compented Minister of the church should be able to say that Bahati , Mwenda and the homosexual perverts are all wrong . Rev. Amos Kasibante is not going to say that .Its obvious why .

Too childish
written by Juma kato, December 17, 2009

I cant believe that a grown up man can think that the Jjinja road accident paraple proves any point . There are Good Samaritans everywhere , everyday , as there are thieves and rapistist everywhere everyday .

HOMOSEXUALS AND DEATH OF HUMAN RACE
written by OJA, December 17, 2009

I cannot trivialise the teaching of the bible with a simple analogy of a traveler along Kampala-Jinja road. For the teaching of Jesus is too deep to be read subjectively. Anyhow a deep analysis of, and its assessment in relation to the long-term effect on the fate of human race simply convinces a reasonable person that homosexual disorientation is a move towards wiping out of the human race. At another angle one can say that those who practise homosexuality don't like human beings anymore. I would not say if they exist in Uganda they should be hanged but another way should be devised to dissuade them to abandon the practice.

Sharia and 'eye for eye' dicta are droconian
written by Ocheto, December 17, 2009

Arguments that because the west doesn't condemn Iran and Saudi Aribia over their equally droconian laws on homosexuality, the new bill shouldn't be rejected (in the name of Ugandan nationalism) have no basis either. Both Iran and Saudi Arabia make for the worst examples that Uganda should be aspiring to or drawing its inspiration and legal argumentations from. Would Uganda copy the cutting the limbs as its practised under islamic sharia law in say Somalia, or in the case of the old bible, an eye for eye, dicta ?

Story of Mabira incident has depth
written by Rev Amos Kasibante, December 17, 2009

Someone argues that when Mwenda uses the story of the woman caught in adultery he meant to imply that Jesus endorsed adultery. Talk of losing the thread of an argument! The central thrust of the story is not really about the woman's act, but on the hypocrisy of his accusers, many of whom were self-righteous Pharisees. In fact in many stories that reveal hypocrisy and it includes Jesus arrest, trial, sentence and crucifixion' and later the stoning of Stephen (the first Christian martyr) the mob thought they were serving God. One must be very careful in their deployment of biblical texts in their hunting games.

Homo sapiens will perish for reasons other than homosexuality
written by Ocheto, December 18, 2009

The climate change (due to environmental degradation), greed and selfishness driven wars among many other self-inflicted wounds - not homosexuality - will sent the arrogantly ignorant human race to its inevitable demise. Even the dinasours faired better, servived longer than homo sapiens will. Going by the violent history of the homo sapiens thus far, they are the most inventively destructive species or life form to have ever walked the earth. The long term viability for the human race existence is dire.

bilbe quotes
written by solomon, December 18, 2009

You know what it (the bible)also says? It says a rebellious child can be brought to the city gates
and stoned to death. It says homosexuality is an abomination and punishable by death.
It says men can be polygamous and slavery is acceptable. For all I know, that thinking
reflected the best wisdom of its time, but it’s just plain wrong by any modern standard.
Society has a right to protect itself, but it doesn’t have a right to be vengeful. It
has a right to punish, but it doesn’t have to kill.

bible
written by solomon, December 18, 2009

President Josiah Bartlet: Good. I like your show. I like how you call homosexuality an abomination.
Dr. Jenna Jacobs: I don't say homosexuality is an abomination, Mr. President. The Bible does.
President Josiah Bartlet: Yes, it does. Leviticus.
Dr. Jenna Jacobs: 18:22.
President Josiah Bartlet: Chapter and verse. I wanted to ask you a couple of questions while I had you here. I'm interested in selling my youngest daughter into slavery as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. She's a Georgetown sophomore, speaks fluent Italian, always cleared the table when it was her turn. What would a good price for her be? While thinking about that, can I ask another? My Chief of Staff Leo McGarry insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly says he should be put to death.

bible
written by solomon, December 18, 2009

. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or is it okay to call the police? Here's one that's really important 'cause we've got a lot of sports fans in this town: Touching the skin of a dead pig makes one unclean. Leviticus 11:7. If they promise to wear gloves, can the Washington Redskins still play football? Can Notre Dame? Can West Point? Does the whole town really have to be together to stone my brother John for planting different crops side by side? Can I burn my mother in a small family gathering for wearing garments made from two different threads? Think about those questions, would you?

the bill
written by solomon, December 18, 2009

And there's a little girl who is really misbehaving. She runs around, she's throwing food.
The father decides to punish her right there by cracking the wine bottle over her head,
throwing her to the ground, and kicking her repeatedly. You sit at the next table. What do you do?

Is there a crime that girl could commit, that would have justified what the father did?

Yeah. And if the father said, 'This is my child, and I will punish her any way I choose,'
would you come to the conclusion that this father has lost all perspective, and all judgement,
and should be removed from equation?

mr.
written by matt peregrine, December 18, 2009

andrew, homosexuality is condemned by the Bible, the generally accepted moral reference point. much as i agree with u that it has always existed, it shouldnt be encouraged because u also point out that u wouldnt like your son to bring a John, Peter, as his mate, partner...whaterver u want to call it. But andrew, am sure u are aware, since i believe ur an avid reader, that numbers DO NOT make something right, for example, if so many of the civil servants are corrupt, it does not mean that corruption is a practice which has mutated into a virtue worthy of being extolled and therefore culprits should be treated with linience!! when pirate asked the crowds to choose between judas and jesus, they enthuthiastically shouted Judas.It didnt mean Jesus was guilty.

Loosing the thread of the argument
written by Juma kato, December 18, 2009

Reverand Amos Kasibante should read comments carefully before he judges them . I ,clearly stated that Jesus rebuked the hypocrites who were going to stone the woman ; but he did not say that that woman should be left alone to continue comitting adultery . In his article , Mwenda had used the story to prove that Jesus "scorned capital punishment". Clearly , Jesus was not talking about capital punishment , he was more disturbed by the hypocricy .
In this context , Jesus would probably scorn Bahati , but he is most unlikely to say that homosexuality is a human right .Jesus, that most people know , will hate homosexuality , but embrace a homosexual who is willing to repent .

Mabira story
written by Juma kato, December 18, 2009

The Mabira good samaritan story is infantish and has no relevancy to the subject of homosexuality . Anybody can be a good Samaritan . But that does not clear them of their other actions . Robin Hood was a good samaritan to the poor , but he was a high-way robber before civil laws .
Hypocricy has many faces . If you are a Minister of the church and still think that the bible is misleading because you want to support homosexuality , some people might think that you are a hypocrite .

I guess Gays aint Human
written by Kato, December 18, 2009

http://www.guardian.co.uk/comm...-execution

We can't tell people what to think
written by Rev Amos Kasibante, December 18, 2009

@Juma Kato - read your "clarification" above and other posts when you go at me or at least bracket me into your attack. Fortunately, there are observers/spectators of the progress and style of comments under this article and at the end of the day you leave it to them to judge and make up their own opinions about things. Which is imputing motives and subjective judgements lsuch as "infantish" (incidentally did you mean "infantile"?) or "hypocrite" will remain just that: subjective.

Mwenda, should realise that God does not work in a vacum
written by Kayumba David, December 18, 2009

Mwenda, should realise that God does not work in a vacum. God calls upon society to live responsibly within the frame work of the divine law which finds its manifestation in the natural law. This Natural law is intrinsically part of universal norms which if not denied will prove what is true about human beings as well as the saveges in the wildness. There is no amount of paroting that can change the natural order of things. If you are a man, you are a man and if a woman will always be.

It is not about killing; it is about protecting society. You cannot be a responsible person when you permit any vice to go unchecked! Mwenda should be losing his bearing.

Sex and Violence are A Perfect Storm
written by Ocheto, December 18, 2009

Sex and violence always makes for good art, literature, history, politics, and marketing that the media loves to exploit. Most of what passes for Shakespearean literature is violent tragedy from mild Romoe and Juliet to the most gory and brutal blood letting in Titus. Similarly, Mwenda has us hooked on gay sex, religion, and violence. Incidentally Jesus was crucified because it was his godly destiny; he exposed the learned pharisees for the hypocrites they were; he claimed he was (son of) god, not a mere prophet; and he was from a humble background who dared to upset the Judaisic status quo. But the Jews who hanged him have had their share of suffering eversince. Now there is your perfect on going shakespearean tragedy.

Mwenda....your reputation is at stake!!
written by Moses luyinda, December 19, 2009

For all you have done for the wonderful country of Uganda. Ugandans have supported you, just as u have supported them. Mwenda, you have never been so wrong on an issue as to be at loggerheads with most ugandans; I believe this is the first time u are trying such a scenario;believe me mwenda you might never get passed this; the gays are using you....against your own kind! Rich wealthy white men, are u any cleverer wiser when greed leads you? gaining the entire world and losing your soul!!

lets focus on other pressing issues pliz
written by mukiibi hassan, December 19, 2009

i wish every one of you would look at issues like mwenda..for those of you who only share his views on this page u better try harder to understand how developental his ideas are.
we all need to agree with mwenda that uganda's problem 2day is not homesexuality..its stuff like curruption that has seen everything melt down from healthcare to education system jst to mention but afew
those of you who want to hang gayz first hang the corrupt coz several of our brothers have died just because they cant find drugs in hospitals and all the money is ending up in the hands of the corrupt.
all ugandans who think gayz are our problem yo mistaken and need to rethink again..

Mwenda dead wrong!
written by Alan, December 19, 2009

Mwenda i always enjoy your articles and you are always spot on my brother. But on this one you are dead wrong! homosexuality! haaaaaaaaah! eeeehhhh! its just madness! They don`t deserve justice at all, they sholud be stoned to death . They don`t even deserve wasting tax payers money with endless legal costs!!

God and Homosexuality
written by Peter Johnson, December 19, 2009

Human sexuality is something that is determined at birth. It is not a case of individual choice. It is not the same as walking into a supermarket to to decide what brand name of coffee I might prefer. Our sexual preferences are innate. Therefore people should never be persecuted for them. This is something that some people will, no doubt, find troubling. After all, if God made man in his own image, then he must know how we feel. Is it right that God should distance himself from the object of his creation, by forbidding, what he himself has created.I would find that the most troubling aspect of a 'loving' God.

@ OJA
written by Omeros, December 19, 2009

"it is highly likely that they didn't exist in many cultures (e.g., among the Lugbara) that is why they have no word to describe it and can't even conceive that a man should partner up with a man and claim it is marriage. " Why do people hold fast to the idea that if there is no concept for "x" in language "y" then "x" cannot have been manifest in the society for which language "y" allegedly has no expression? This is the bastard influence of Whorfian linguistic relativism. There is no necessary relation between a lexical term and the existence or the frequency of occurrence of the phenomenon described by that term in the world.

Ugandan gays and Jesus
written by j.busingye, December 19, 2009

Thank God, at last it appears homosexuals in Uganda will live to see another heterosexual generation in Uganda. I see OJA and Juma Kato now agree with Mwenda and Jesus that hypocritically killing off gays is not the right way to go.

Wrong Busingye
written by Juma kato, December 19, 2009

Juma Kato does not agree with Mwenda . Juma Kato is definately against homosexuality . He is sure tha t homosexuality is not part of Ugandans cherished traditons that it must be banned . Juma Kato thinks that Jesus would never accept homosexuality , though he would embrace any homosexual that is willing to repent . Juma Kato says that homosexuals should not be killied though. Not everybdy who breaks a law gets a death penaulty .
Mwenda thinks differently . He says that homosexualilty is as normal as eating pig brains . Juma Kato does not think so.

We cant tell people what to think
written by Juma kato, December 19, 2009

Rev. Kasibante is right this time : we cant tell people what to think . The Reverand can see " hypocrisy " in man and say so without attacking man . So can somebody look at what Kasibante says vs what he does and think that this is a " hypocrite" . The obsevers and inspectors can make up their own opinions on whether discribing somebody based on what they say and do , is the same as "attacking" them.

Omeros!!
written by OJA, December 19, 2009

Omeros has resorted to vulgar. I'm not your type, sorry! We should focus on what Mwenda has presented and analyse it. Let me tell you that the evolution or development of language informs a lot about history. Great historians or philologists discover so much information from the use of language. When for instance I argue that the Lugbara have no word for homosexuality, that is true. In the same way the word computer never existed even as late as the early 20th century that doesn't mean computers existed elsewhere but people decided to keep quiet about it. Omeros, you apply the same theory to analyse our topic presented by Andrew and follow the logic of my arguments. Meanwhile Busingye should read the earlier articles I posted.

OJA
written by Omeros, December 20, 2009

OJA, historians examine documentary evidence for the purpose of constructing historical narratives. If the historical record offers up nothing on a particular matter, then all a historian can acknowledge in relation to that matter is that there is a lacuna, although he or she may speculate imaginatively as to what may fill that lacuna. The fact that the historical record is silent as to the incidence of homosexuality in, say, Lugbara society would not lead a historian (of any worth) to conclude that homosexuality was unknown to the Lugbara. Rather, the historian would conclude that there is no evidence as to social attitude of the Lugbara to homosexuality.

OJA (pt. 2)
written by Omeros, December 20, 2009

Any speculation on the historian's part as to the prevalence or otherwise of homosexuality in Lugbara society is just that: speculation. As to a philologist confronted by the apparent lack of concept "x" in language "y", said philologist would be rash to conclude that "x" did not exist in the society of the people who speak language "y". Consider the following example. Anglo-Saxon and Middle English (i.e. pre 13th century English) had no word for "orange", which is a loan word which entered the language by way of the Spanish "naranja" which in turn was adopted from the Arabs ("naranj" in Arabic). Is that to say that the colour orange did not exist in England prior to contacts with people from the continent of Europe?

Mambo Jambo
written by Juma kato, December 20, 2009

Ormeros complicates his already complicated life by breaking into linguistical mambo jamboring . Oja , on the other hand , is sharing with him a very simple logic : if homosexuality existed and was part of the way of life among tribes of Uganda ,as Mwenda & co . are attempting to say , it should have been given a name . Even secret STD`s were given names because , shameful as they were , they were named .

Mr mwenda, wht PR spin will you do for Rwanda now abt it's gay bill being debated?
written by MABO, December 20, 2009

As an ardent priase for rwanda, am all ears & eyes to hear/see wht mwenda's argument will be abt his "friend's" govt (of Gen Kagame) is proposing/debating the same bill abt gays! Probably mwenada will this time turn a blind eye abt this or "find" some "facts" & theories to justify it. To him rwanda & Mr kagame's govt are fallible. I propose tht mwenda also advocates for incest & defilement; after all it also involves consenting parties,they shld also have rights. Probably thats their "nature" also! Why shld mr mwenda be scorned if he "choses" to marry his/her sister,daughter,let him be free! ! For God & my country.

The other interpretation of Mwenda's analysis.
written by Mukiza, December 20, 2009

Mwenda's argument is that if one commits an act that offends no third party or Society,then no crime is commited.
Meaning that when Man X decides to have sexual intercourse with an animal(Cow),then no crime should we see,CAUSE if i can kill it for it's beef,then any way i can also use it's sexual organ for my desires.
Which causes more harm to the animal any way? Killing it or having sex with it?
And the same is true with Homosexuality.It harms no thirdparty so it is no offense. Brilliant is it it?

...
written by mbolo y'akisanyi, December 20, 2009

I think everyone is getting wrong, the West doesnt condemn homosexuality, but i have seen any piece of evidence to show that they are promoting it in Uganda. Are there any special organisations just for the purpose of promoting it? I think it more of a personnal choice. How many men have been senteced for having annal sex with their paterners? I have worked with gay people, and if one ever stood for any office his sexuality won't deter me giving him my vote. If it's a culture or areligion, gayism has the most honest and generous followers.

Mr. Kato
written by Omeros, December 20, 2009

Juma Kato, don't dismiss the point I make simply because you are not equipped to answer it. Engage with the point constructively or else simply say nothing at all. Silence is in any case more eloquent than gratuitous name-calling, which is the language of the playground rather than the symposium. Incidentally, why can't you spell? My name is Omeros, not Ormeros! Clearly close reading is not your thing.

Mr. Kato (pt. 2)
written by Omeros, December 20, 2009

To answer your point, Mr. Kato, I can see how, to someone steeped in Whorfian linguistics, the idea that a language represents the sum of the cultural experience of an entire society is attractive. Nevertheless, to someone who likes the evidentiary rigour of historical method, that idea is riven with problems. It's like saying, "show me your plumbing and I'll tell you your history". As an anthropologic approach, it is suspect, because it relies on surmise and speculation and eschews evidence.

Mr. Kato (pt. 3)
written by Omeros, December 20, 2009

To one such as you, whose political motive is to portray homosexuality as a foreign menace, it is convenient to exploit the apparent absence of a word for "homosexuality" in certain African languages because that is all the evidence you require in order to demonstrate that no such phenomenon existed in those societies. Conveniently enough, that looses you from having to do the difficult thing in proving a negative: showing that in fact no homosexuality existed in those societies which, of course, you are unable to do. Such an approach is simplistic and betrays a certain amount of intellectual sloth.

food and law
written by ruben, December 21, 2009

Muslims are not supposed to eat pork.
If a muslim MP tried to pass a law banning pork saying that
He finds the pig filthy, it is forbidden in the Koran besides our ancestors
never ate pork you all would be up in arms. If he said we must shut down all
the pork joints because they are an front to his sensiblities what would you say

Reread Andrew's argument!
written by OJA, December 21, 2009

Omeros, Andrew posits, in fact, assumes that in Africa homosexuals existed, but he wonders why there was no proper knowledge or rules about homosexuality. I brought up my point to counter Andrew's argument in particular by citing the Lugbara as a case study. It would be a fallacy of generalisation that Africans had knowledge about homosexuals and accommodated them, and therefore keep quiet about it today. I cannot accept generalisations. In reference to the whole debate I have already argued my points in the other articles. So let us not derail our argument by drifting away from our centre of focus but we follow the logic and flow of ideas.

More of the same mambo jambo
written by Juma kato, December 21, 2009

Oremos , intellectuality or lack of it , can be demonstrated in several ways . The issue at hand is to " write comment " in response to the article above . In that article , Mwenda says that homosexuality has always been part of Ugandas way of life . Anybody who desires to potray himself as an intellectual would be asking why homosexuality , if it was what Mwenda says it is ,has no word in any of Ugandas languages . Most intellectuals know that items and actions get named when , if , where and because they exist .
One wishes that your reasoning matched your fine English .

Oja uses better words to say what I mean .

Don't kill in noone's name, God or not God
written by Ocheto, December 21, 2009

It is morally wrong to kill. Even where the old scriptures advocated an eye for eye, Jesus rewrote it condemning trading of abuses back and forth ad intifintum. Today many countries have eliminated the death penality in their statutes. Granted language is the most complicated means of communications humans invented. But on lack of words, in African languages that are equivalent to homosexuality as a proof that homosexuality didn't exist in Africa: it's weak. A rainbow, a colorful splitting of light, when it rains and the sun shines at the same time has occured before human walked the earth. But few (African) languages and culutres, if any, are able to distinguish ALL the seven rainbow colors. Now does that mean the other colors they couldn't name distictively don't exist ?

Juma Kato
written by Omeros, December 21, 2009

Mr. Kato, I groan whenever I read anything you write - principally because you are tone-deaf to counter-argument and your inclination is to dismiss whatever you do not understand as "mambo jambo" (though I think you mean "mumbo jumbo"). This is anti-intellectualism such as would make Sarah Palin proud. It is not my hope to initiate you in the ways of argument - I suspect you are in any case too much a stranger to argumentation since what fuels your opinion is nothing more than prejudice - something no amount of reason can wear down.

Juma Kato (pt 2)
written by Omeros, December 21, 2009

To answer your last post, there is an extensive literature in the school of linguistics that deals specifically with the idea of "no concept of 'x' in language 'y'" and, in particular, with anthropological applications of that proposition of the kind that lead to assertions such as "[m]ost intellectuals know that items and actions get named when , if , where and because they exist". You can start with Saapir and Whorf. Then, if that has not made your head hurt, read Pullum, Liberman and Arnold. Once you have done so, you might learn to treat with skepticism the notion that no concept of "x" in language "y" equals no incidence of "x" in the society of people who speak language "y". If you are not made a skeptic, then at least you can object with a more informed, less ignorant perspective.

Juma Kato (pt 3)
written by Omeros, December 21, 2009

I doubt that you will act upon any of that because you lack a basic curiosity and find it comforting to rest on those certainties you learned as a small child. The loss is yours. But, goodness, it must be a small world in which you live! On another point, the purpose of posting is to debate around the issues raised by the article, not merely to answer the article itself. Again, curiosity would help you understand that. One wishes that you read more and posted less in your diseased English.

reverand amos
written by omuganda, December 21, 2009

rev are u well conversant with this verse " if one commits one sin is guilty of all sins bse the mouth that said don't steal is the same mouth that said don't fornicate?
there fore i verily tell u that where homos and lesbian will be burnt up, its the same fire that will consume all types of sinners. so as a reverend u must preach repent ency other than advocating for the rights of people to sin

Linguistics, big deal
written by Ocheto, December 21, 2009

For those interested in lingusitics why not read chomsky's work. I attended one of his seminars in school. It is was so boring. I remember him more for his anarchic political views rather than his philosophy of linguistics. Besides lambasting the usa, he was attacking everybody left and right and center: I guess looking for enemies under rocks and shadows. Its silly, pathetic and unintelligent when "an intellectual" resorts to ad nauseam personal attacks. Post-modern this, post-modern that, anti-constructionism this, too many poly syllablic nouns endlessly strung endlessly together is quack intellectualism.

Hmmm!
written by Omeros, December 22, 2009

I thought you were better than that, Ocheto, but it seems that you're down there writhing in the gutter with the rest of them. How disappointing.

The pill is bitter ?
written by Juma kato, December 22, 2009

Out of the blue comes Ochecho to give a little linguistical potion of " intellectual " medicine to arrongant Omeros ( what a cute name ! ) Just like that , Oremos finds out that there are plenty of us "writhing in the gutter" . Then , I am not about to suspend my own disbelief . How sweet ! The more you look at it , the more you get convinced that there are still many quacks whose persepective is illuminated by imitations of reality than reality itself .
So the purpose is to debate arround the article ? I thought that this is what we were doing untill someone chose to stray into Saapir and Whorf land .

Well put it, Mwenda
written by ANDREW, not Mwenda, December 22, 2009

Conservativeness, the most outdated excuse for Africans at play again. Why is it so difficult to see that sexual discrimination is no different from racial or gender discrimination? And that killing someone for being homosexual is like killing some one on Wilson street for being non-black?

Bahati and all, just because you do not know who is gay in your circles doesn't mean they do not exist in Uganda. If you want, legalize it for just one day and and you'll be shocked! It has been there and is there just as much and naturally as other forms of sexuality.

It's high time we broke away from conservativeness, became more open-minded and stopped this Sexual Apartheid now!!

Weak , but important
written by Juma kato, December 22, 2009

The method of using " indicators " to form reasonable conclusions is a reliable principal . The absence of a name, as an indicator for something, may therefore suggest that it was not (-known to be- ) there . In my language at least , we have a name for a rainbow and all the colours that form it . Its important to add that those who gave the rainbow its name did not have to first understand all the scientific facts about it . They named it because it existed .

...
written by Omeros, December 22, 2009

It's a shame that you feel that way. Saapir and Whorf et al provide an interesting commentary on the very line of argument with which our discussion is concerned. But, as you establish at every turn, you have a problem with curiosity - so you will never know. No more is to be expected of someone who, after all, considers speculation to amount to proof and then, smugly satisfied that this method constitutes a "reliable princpal" [sic], decries the bearer of opposing views as "arrongant" [sic]. I said previously that your m.o. would make Palin proud. I made a misjudgment. Palin would consider you to have no rigour.

obama and palin separated by ideological - not intellectual - divide: a political show
written by Ocheto, December 22, 2009

make no mistake about it the difference between obama and palin is ideological; it is not intellectual. Intellectually there is not much difference betwen them. Palin has written a memoire too. obama wrote his family travails and triumphs. neither work can be described as intellectually seminal. and i wouldn't have time to read people personal docudramas. just as i wouldn't be too excited if team-obama won i wouldn't be too down on myself if team-palin did. these are political creatures in biggest political show on earth .

Thanks, Juma Kato!
written by OJA, December 22, 2009

Thank you Juma Kato for appreciating my arguments. The point we are arguing is not about intellectualism for its own sake. Rather we are discussing something, if not seriously assessed as a nation and a people who want clear parameters to guide us, will not only have social, moral, cultural, legal, political... effects on our society but most importantly our fate/survival as human beings will be at stake. The debate though must not again descend into personal attacks (argumentum ad bacculum-humanus) otherwise here is not the forum for that. It must be a civil debate showing true intellectualism and dignity not like "Museveni calling Besigye HIV positive in public."

Obama/Palin
written by Omeros, December 22, 2009

Ocheto, Obama edited the Harvard Law Review and was a professor at the University of Chicago. Palin, on the other hand, distinguished herself in this interview with Katie Couric: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbQwAFobQxQ. It says much about you that you feel comfortable with this individual deputising for the powerful individual in the world. Thankfully, the American people had better judgment than you.

Most of politics is about character assassination
written by Ocheto, December 22, 2009

Museveni has taken Uganda politics to a knew low. Last elections he threw Besigye in jail on trumped up charges of rape and treason, just when the campaigns were to take place. Most of politics is about character assassination no matter how baseless, just keeping throwing mud envetually some of it will it.

Stuck up Palins World ?
written by Juma kato, December 22, 2009

Its a compliment for me to be compared with Palin (sic ) By accident , her name keeps up poping up along side the Oremos greats . This begs to be corrected . The misjudgement that follows forth is not of my making ; a timely relief thank the stars ! However ,I find myself thinking that her lack of intellectual curiousity has helped her not only to have been elected for a very office , but made her the writer of the best selling book of the year ,; I wish to be right there . Call that an illusion and I will either withdraw my speculationor claim my right to my own dreams .

OJA
written by Omeros, December 22, 2009

OJA - you don't think it ad baculum to attempt to dismiss an opponent's argument as "mambo jambo" [sic] without (a) investigating whether that opponent's claims have any validity; (b) engaging on any level with that opponent's argument; and (c) offering any counter-argument to that opponent's argument other than to repeat the initial (disputed) proposition? If this is what passes as "argument", it is no wonder that the level of public debate on this and other issues is so low. They are occluded by ignorance and prejudice.

My big small World
written by Juma kato, December 22, 2009

In my small world , there is hardly enough room for Saapirs and Whorf ; what a shame that this zone is dominated by Bahati and the likes of me !
Goodness me , the earth was still round the last time I checked , the very reason I shiver whenever I ponder why , between heaven and Oremos, no one has brought in any " anthrolopolical " proof that homosexuality existed in Westnile and was accepted as normal sexual practice by the natives of Westnile .
In Uganda homosexuality is illegal , I better remind Omureso ( sic ) before he recommends another Buok (maybe a mean book ? )

obama was never a professor
written by Ocheto, December 22, 2009

i see obama and palin as politicians, not as towering intellectuals. and btw, obama was never a professor; he was a lecturer: there is big difference, which you and me know. and what apart from editing, reviewing, and recommending papers for publication did he himself author ? now in the political arena they are same: obama and palin, the political creatures. Welcome to the ugly reality of the political world from the elegant, rarefied and theoretic world of academia.

Ocheto
written by Omeros, December 22, 2009

All I can say, Ocheto, is that the University of Chicago disagrees with you - and they should know. They employed him for 12 years, after all. http://www.law.uchicago.edu/media. As to his position at the HLR, the position of editor is one that requires intellectual acumen, highly-developed powers of discrimination and judgment. The HLR is, lest you forget, one of the most respected journals in jurisprudence. In the political arena, they are not remotely the same: one is a nobel laureate who affects global events every day; the other abandoned what public office she held to go on a book tour.

Nobel peace is not academic
written by Ocheto, December 22, 2009

A nobel peace prize has nothing to do with academic achievement. It too like being president is political, and often controversial. Have you any knowledge of what goes in academe ?

...
written by Omeros, December 22, 2009

Read once again the sentence in my previous post in which the reference to Obama's status as a Nobel laureate is made: "In the political arena, they are not remotely the same: one is a nobel laureate who affects global events every day; the other abandoned what public office she held to go on a book tour." The prefatory words "n the political arena" clearly acknowledge the fact of the political character of the Nobel award. In no way can that sentence be read so as to suggest that the Nobel is a mark of academic achievement. I think you've grasped the wrong end of the stick.

Civil and knowledgeable
written by OJA, December 23, 2009

I was taught to be civil, knowledgeable and yet critical but not to be overly prejudicial because prejudice blocks the mind to new possibilities and often impairs correct judgement. Exactly when my argument is taken for a mere prejudice, I must instead but say that it is a conclusion drawn from prejudice itself and that is the source of the misunderstanding of the whole crux of the matter, moreover that points to the level in which we stand or where we are. When prejudice is the standpoint from which an argument starts then the result is more prejudice and added ignorance. I'm out of it until another time.

What happened to "intellectual rigor" ?
written by Ocheto, December 23, 2009

Most intelligent people are respectful, except some "intellectuals". The difference between america and uganda is that in america the power belongs to the people whereas in uganda it belongs to the president. for example: in uganda a president would never be impeached, even if it says so in the statutes; in america seating presidents do get impeached [watergate, lewsinkygate]. Obama's nobel prize for peace will down in the history of nobel prizes as the most undeserved. I am just being intellectually rigorous.

Seriousness
written by Dan, December 23, 2009

But does anyone really think Bahati's Bill will helps any Ugandan? Seriously, guys does anyone know any homo? I doubt any of the respondents of this article knows any homo in person. But as usual, Ugandans will debate nonsense instead of real issues like lack of infrastructure, health care and so on.

Seriously uganda needs a sound and accountable political infrastructure
written by Ocheto, December 23, 2009

Seriously the infrastructure uganda needs and should be building is not a physical one, but a political one. That is the evil of corruption resides and amanates. Without a firm, sound, accountable a political infrastructure, all the other infrastructures: adminstration, financial, and physical, will never get built.

...
written by Joshua, December 30, 2009

Readers lets suggests articles that are needed to improve on the gay bill.we cant sit and allow the death penalty to passed.From a christian point of view,Jesus is for forgiveness and rencoilation much as leviticus condemns Murder.
I have seen my relatives whom have been sodomised by an uncle friend but for Godsake i love to see him repent rather than sending him to Luzira.

...
written by n, January 03, 2010

www.ugandaobserver.org

-1

Gedanken
written by Jon, January 08, 2010

Mr. Mwenda- You start your article with what you refer to as a Latin Word "Gedanken" it is not a Latin word, having taken Latin in a German School, Gedanken is a German word meaning Thoughts...nothing to do with your article but just wanted to correct that...

Mwenda reckons society is static
written by Kalule Mbowa, January 08, 2010

I am slightly taken aback by Mwenda's intended or unintended insinuation that because some African societies probably practised/tolerated (which may not be true, not withstanding your Prof's evidence) then this can be a justification for the practice in modern times. Society has changed, Mwenda, so must you. Those pre-colonial societies you fantasize about may have - over the years - practised (if they ever did, that is) this largely abominable act BUT perhaps they have changed their ways. Would not that be a justification to legislate against it? With all due respect, Mwenda, you could be in danger of being seen as if you are off your cake! Forgive me if I am wrong.

...
written by anteros, January 12, 2010

And so what if it were “un-African” (which it clearly isnt)… should everything deemed “un-African” be criminalized? Is it even possible to define “un-African”, considering the continent’s massive population, its constantly changing cultural and social values and its incredibly vast diversity which includes countless minority groups such as LGBT? Whatever happened to protecting minority groups from discrimination and intolerance from the “majority”? It would seem, judging by the sadder parts of African history… that the protection of African minority groups is “un-African”.

...
written by anteros, January 12, 2010

…”un-African” …as though Africa were some distant utopian planet that would crash and burn upon any interaction with anything “alien” (as defined by a loud group of assuming “leaders”). What would Africa look like today, if all things deemed “un-African” were vigorously rejected by African leaders? What would education, healthcare, infrastructure, industry and technology in Africa look like today?