WikiLeaks Cables Portray Uganda Politicians Channelling Anger At Country’s Socio-Political Failings Into “Violent Hatred” Of Homosexuals; Details Supporters Of “Draconian” Anti-Homosexuality Bill Openly Mocking David Kato’s Speech At U.N. Sponsored Debate

The Guardian reports on WikiLeaks American embassy cables that reveal the now-murdered gay rights activist David Kato was mocked at a United Nations-backed debate on Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill, an American diplomat saying that Kato delivered an articulate, intelligent speech against the bill, but that his words were almost inaudible due to “his evident nervousness” Throughout his talk, a member of the Uganda Human Rights Commission “openly joked and snickered” with supporters of the bill, the diplomat adds. That “consultative meeting” in December, 2009, organized with funding from the United Nations, sought to discuss the proposed bill, which, if passed, would impose the death penalty for acts of “aggravated homosexuality” and life imprisonment for adults who engage in consensual gay sex. The cable, dated December 24th, 2009, claims that Ugandan politicians, in particular the author the aforementioned bill, David Bahati, had channelled the anger of the nation’s socio-political failings into a “violent hatred” of homosexuals.

Other memos – classified as confidential – sent between Kampala and Washington in 2009 -2010 suggest a dramatic deterioration in the climate of human rights in the run-up to Ugandan elections, and a “chilling” descent from tolerance to violent homophobia, as well as a deepening fear among gay activists who claim to be increasingly monitored and harassed by the government. The memos also reveal United States diplomatic efforts to combat the draconian bill – currently at the parliamentary committee stage. Under the heading Comment: Homophobic Demagogues, the diplomat reports in the Christmas Eve cable that Bahati, a born-again Christian MP from the ruling party, had become "further isolated" following "recent condemnations" by high-profile Pastor Rick Warren and other US-based individuals who are against the bill. However, it was clear he would not yield to international pressure. Referring to Bahati, the diplomat said: "His homophobia … is blinding and incurable." The diplomat also refers to James Nsaba Buturo, Uganda's minister for ethics and integrity, a strong supporter of the bill, and Pastor Martin Ssempa, who organizes anti-gay rallies in Uganda, as key players promoting a new era of intolerance."Bahati, Buturo, and particularly Ssempa's ability to channel popular anger over Uganda's socio-political failings into violent hatred of a previously unpopular but tolerated minority is chilling," the diplomat said.

The cable described in detail the Ugandan Human Rights Commission debate on November 18, 2009, which it said was organized with support from the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights at which Bahati, Ssempa and Kato, the leader of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), were all present. Kato left shortly after his speech. The diplomat said that, prior to the debate, he had received a text message from a gay activist expressing concerns for the safety of representatives scheduled to attend. Bahati led a "tirade against homosexuality" attacking White House opposition to the bill and insisting that impending oil revenue would free Uganda from foreign influence. His message to President Obama was that "homosexuality is … an evil we must fight", which prompted loud applause, led by Ssempa pounding his hand on the table.