The Worst Fears About LGBT Violence in Uganda May Be Coming True

There has been a lot of focus on Uganda over the past year, as the country debates an anti-homosexuality law, orchestrated in large part by a strong American evangelical presence in the country, that would institute the death penalty or life imprisonment sentences for Uganda's LGBT population. Among human rights activists, the concern all along has been that rampant homophobia in Uganda, fueled by radical religious elements, would lead to wanton violence against Uganda's LGBT population, as well as straight allies.

Unfortunately, those fears may be coming true. Over the weekend, the body of a volunteer with Integrity Uganda, a pro-LGBT organization, was found in a pit latrine. The body was beheaded, and comes amidst news that a priest who delivered a sermon in support of LGBT people has also gone missing.

Random act of violence? Not likely, given the demonizing of LGBT people taking place in Uganda right now, all with the support of U.S. religious leaders and groups like the Rev. Lou Engle, Scott Lively, and Canyon Ridge Christian Church, just to name a few. Could this beheading just be the start of what many have feared could eventually turn into a gay genocide in Uganda?

Box Turtle Bulletin has the story on the murdered Integrity Uganda volunteer, Pasikali Kashusbe. He went missing more than three weeks ago. Authorities had found his torso earlier this week, with the genitals cut off. This past weekend, they found his head. A tragic death coupled with a tragic climate built on a foundation of U.S. evangelical ministering.

Exiled Bishop Christopher Senyonjo, who was forced to flee Uganda after threats on his life were made due to his work on behalf of LGBT people, called Kashusbe's death repugnant, and a sign that the type of religious fervor spreading throughout Uganda today has absolutely nothing to do with the biblical principles of love, respect, and community.

"Clearly, the values of tolerance and social inclusion are sadly being sacrificed on the altar of state ignorance, ineptness and good old colonial stupidity," Bishop Senyonjo said.

Meanwhile, here in the U.S., Christian leaders with close ties to anti-gay pastors in Uganda are still getting a free ride. Among them include Canyon Ridge Christian Church in Las Vegas, which openly celebrates and praises the work of one of Uganda's most dangerous religious radicals, Pastor Martin Ssempa. Pastor Ssempa has openly called for gay people to be murdered and assassinated, and has visited church after church after church to show gay pornography, in an attempt to stir up violent sentiments among Uganda's population. The world has called Pastor Ssempa a criminal. Canyon Ridge Christian Church calls him a prophet, and a leader of a new Africa. Disgusting. Take action now to call this Church to some semblance of accountability for their misplaced faith in Martin Ssempa.

And check out the video below from NTV Uganda, which brings to light the death of Kashusbe. The images? Shocking and appalling. Yet a sign of what can happen when religious intolerance washes over a population.

Photo credit: kevinzim