June 20th, 2012
12:31 PM ET

Uganda bans 38 agencies it says are promoting gay rights

The Ugandan government said Wednesday it will ban at least 38 nongovernmental agencies it says are promoting gay rights and recruiting children into homosexuality.

"We have investigated them thoroughly and we have found their sponsors," said Ethics Minister Simon Lokodo. "We will ask them to step aside and stop pretending to work in human rights."

"Some NGOs, under the pretext of providing social services, are receiving funds to promote homosexuality," he said.

The organizations - both international and local - will lose their registrations and no longer be able to operate in Uganda. He did not name the groups on the list.

"The sooner they are phased out, the better," he said.

Homosexuality is illegal in Uganda, as it is in many African countries, and legislation is pending in parliament that could bring even harsher penalties for gays.

At one point the bill included life imprisonment and even the death penalty. That provision was dropped, under intense pressure from donor countries, but several Ugandan politicians still plan to push it through parliament.

The announcement of the ban comes in the wake of a police raid Monday that disrupted a gay rights activists' workshop in the Ugandan capital, Kampala.

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Filed under: Gay and lesbian • Uganda • World
soundoff (12 Responses)
  1. Its called Americanization

    Thats what happens when the devil has a say so

    June 20, 2012 at 2:16 pm | Report abuse |
  2. Contemptuous

    Keep it up, Uganda, and watch every effort to get your failing country out of the third world dries up, and your leaders go on trial for genocide.

    June 20, 2012 at 2:21 pm | Report abuse |
  3. Its calle

    Thats what happens when America has a say so

    June 20, 2012 at 2:23 pm | Report abuse |
  4. Stand for something

    Uganda has a right to get rid of filthy behavior in their country unlike America

    June 20, 2012 at 2:32 pm | Report abuse |
    • phunk

      Trust us, we know. We would love to get rid of filthy people. Starting with you.

      June 20, 2012 at 4:38 pm | Report abuse |
  5. Yada yada

    Rolling eyes. Keep talking to yourself. You have the board.

    June 20, 2012 at 2:35 pm | Report abuse |
  6. Yada yada

    Hey stand for something, move to Uganda they'll welcome you with open arms. Punk.

    June 20, 2012 at 2:37 pm | Report abuse |
  7. phunk

    I thought the headline said banning 38 ounce sugary drinks. That's what a government should worrying about instead. Isn't it?

    June 20, 2012 at 4:40 pm | Report abuse |
  8. banasy©

    @phunk:
    Well of course it is!
    That's what ALL governments everywhere should be worrying about!
    Lol....

    June 20, 2012 at 7:24 pm | Report abuse |
  9. chrissy

    Omg quick, call in the sugar police!

    June 20, 2012 at 10:54 pm | Report abuse |
  10. Rascal Rabble

    way to go uganda...one country that have sense enough to kick liberal political correct bullcrap in the butt...

    June 20, 2012 at 11:54 pm | Report abuse |
  11. Jeff

    During the Idi Amin years, the government of Uganda distracted the public from its own venality by blaming the Asian population and chasing them out of the country. Museveni could have resigned two or three years ago as a hero. Instead, he is becoming Idi Amin phase two, this time blaming the gays rather than the Indians. Who will be next?

    June 21, 2012 at 12:00 pm | Report abuse |
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