By Norman Miwambo

27^th Feb 2012:

Anti-Museveni protest in London

That is exactly the question that remained on everybody’s lips after they watched Museveni’s interview on BBC’s HardTalk show programme, hosted by Stephen Sackur on Thursday, February 24.  Museveni, who denied ever persecuting or discriminating against homosexuals in Uganda said, “…the issue [homosexuality] is mishandled by the western countries and their activist groups.”

In what sounded like an attempt to chop off the hands that feed him, Museveni warned western countries to avoid making the mistake of trying to tie aid to promoting homosexuality.  This was a response to a question about Museveni’s views on US President Barack Obama and other donor’s partners call for the protection of the LGBTs and respect their human rights, without which aid to Uganda would be cut.

“That will be their biggest mistake, because they should be careful about black Africans…are humble people,” Mr Museveni warned, adding that: “…We never imposed our views on anybody else. We are not like Europeans or like Arabs who want to impose their views.”

Museveni said that even when he goes to the United Kingdom, he always has a problem with what to eat.  “…But I keep it to myself.” Museveni revealed.  Museveni however admitted that western countries and donors “…are our close partners.  But they should avoid…like this one of tying aid to promoting homosexuality. I can tell you, many African people will not accept it. And it will be a very big mistake.”

Museveni has been a strong supporter of ‘preserving African culture’.  On August 17, 2008, for example, the government owned newspaper The New Vision quoted him saying:  “…I salute the Archbishop and bishops of Africa for resisting disorientation and a decadent culture…” being passed by Western nations.

Homosexuality is considered a taboo, particularly in many African countries and it is illegal in 37, including Uganda. Few Africans are openly gay, as they fear being stigmatised, imprisonment or being killed.  Ndorwa West MP, David Bahati, a member of the ruling NRM party, introduced the Anti-Gay Bill in the Ugandan Parliament in October 2009.

The bill calls for a death penalty for those convicted of engaging homosexual behaviour and also proposes a seven year jail term for anyone found guilty of not reporting homosexual activity to the authorities.

Faced with a liberal British BBC audience however, Museveni toned down his known views about LGBTs, saying, “…homosexuals in small numbers have existed in our part of Black Africa.  They were never persecuted, they were never discriminated. But the difference between us and the western societies, they were also not promoted”

Anti-Museveni demo staged

Separately, in a coordinated move by the Uganda United Pro-democracy Forum, (UUPDF), the scene outside Robert Perks Room, Central hall Westminster, London SW1H 9NH was commandeered by the demonstrators who had mobilised themselves within a short time.

They carried placards bearing messages such as: ICC Indict Museveni for Genocide; Stop Dictatorship in Uganda; Stop Killing Innocent Ugandans; Stop Persecuting Members of Opposition; Stop Mortgaging Uganda; among others.

There was also an attempt by the demonstrators to effect a ‘citizen’s arrest’ against Museveni.  When this failed, the demonstrators opted to deliver the message in Museveni’s face.  This however turned ugly when a Ugandan lady came out of the conference room where Museveni was launching Uganda’s tourism promotion drive and started abusing the demonstrators.

When she was challenged with tough questions about the NRM regime, the lady responded with abusive language.  END.  Please login to www.ugandacorrespondent.com every Monday to read our top stories and anytime mid-week for our news updates.