Pepe Julian Onziemam, Programme Coordinator for Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), a coalition of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) human rights organisations in Uganda, speaks to CIVICUS about the challenges of working in a hostile environment.
Q. Tell us about your work as an LGBTI activist
A. My work and that of the organisations - advocating for gay and lesbian people - which I have been involved with since 2004, has considerable challenges. Legislation that criminalises same-sex activities, means that we don't have space for advocacy work and most of what we do has to be done underground so people do not have to show their faces. We are forced to meet in private and have no access to legal aid. To issue statements we must create alliances with fellow civil society groups to deliver our message within Uganda. This is incredibly isolating and makes our work even more difficult. Our long-term goal is to decriminalise homosexuality.
In 2009, a draconian anti-homosexuality bill was introduced in the Uganda Parliament by MP David Bahati. There has been mixed reaction to the bill and the process has been drawn out because of the pressure exerted by religious leaders.
(CIVICUS has analysed the bill which, through its wide ambit, seeks to criminalise the work of civil society organisations promoting the rights of LGBTI persons through cancellation of their registration and punishment of the head of the organisation with seven years imprisonment. Other repugnant provisions of the bill include punishment by death for HIV infected persons if they have sexual relations with a person of the same gender; life imprisonment for attempting to contract a marriage with a person of the same gender; extradition to Uganda of citizens or permanent residents if they have sexual relations with a person of the same gender; and enhanced punishment of life imprisonment for sexual relations between people of the same gender. http://civicus.org/media-centre/press-releases/archieve/474--civicus-condemns-the-ugandan-anti-homosexuality-bill )
Q. Describe the challenges you face
A. Personally, I have been in jail twice. In 2008, I was arrested with two other colleagues at an international HIV conference. (Onziema was charged with trespassing. The trial dragged on for months. Though the charges were ultimately dropped, the experience in prison was traumatic for Onziema. Several officers taunted her - discussing whether she was to be put with the male inmates or the female ones. Her clothes were forcibly removed and an officer touched her genitals "for confirmation.")
As I am the spokesperson for the organisation, I put my face in the media so a lot of people recognise me. Police see me on the street and there is always intimidation. For some gay people, though, their Ugandan families cut them out, they have to deal with pressure from friends, sometimes employers, and from the public sector. We face ongoing challenges from basically all corners of the community. Life is made difficult, but I am committed and I try to find ways of rejuvenating myself. There are four staff members at SMUG and we all try and create as much awareness as possible. Some don't like to show their faces so they do radio or print. I give the struggle a face and put myself up.
Q. Where does your strength come from?
A. People often wonder how I cope with hostility. I have a family that supports me. For many activists who come out, their families withdraw. But for me, I came out to my family a long time ago. When I decided to become a front-line activist and put my face out there, I told my mum I want to do A,B,C and D and listed the risks. She pointed out that there were more risks than I said but that she would support me. This cause is a lifetime commitment for me which I will continue as long as there is support from my family.
Q. On January 26 this year your colleague, David Kato, was brutally murdered. Has anything positive come out of the resulting spotlight on gay rights in Uganda from this tragic event?
A. In terms of community support we, the movement, are starting to get more organised. More people are coming on board to support grassroots work - particularly LGBTI people. There is evidence that more people are also coming out to their families. In terms of awareness (for LGBTI rights) the high visibility of David Kato's funeral footage (which is still being played) has given our cause some identity. The anti-homosexuality bill has gained more attention and there has been more discussion - positive and negative. Also, some human rights people are saying "I am Christian and while I do not support a homosexual lifestyle I will support the withdrawal of the bill as it is a human rights issue".
However, there is a negative side. Over 20 (LGBTI) people have been evicted from the houses they rent. We have five cases of people whose families have sent them away and there are still ongoing challenges of people being sent away from jobs. Of course, in David's case the government's response still remains that he was not murdered for the work he is doing. The trial is going very slowly. We are trying to put pressure to quicken the process so the innocent can be acquitted.
Q. Ugandan citizens have taken to the streets in recent weeks demanding democratic freedoms and for the president, Yoweri Museveni, to step down. The response from authorities has been violent. How does the political environment impact on your work?
A. As much as we are working on LGBTI issues, we are citizens of Uganda and everything that happens affects us. However, because we are already criminals for our sexuality it is not safe for us to be involved in the movement on the streets. We would triple the risks for all. In terms of funding, people feel it's not a good environment to fund the work we do.
Q. Do you foresee democratisation occurring in Uganda in the future?
A. People are fed up and tired of keeping quiet. The poverty levels are really high (35 per cent of the population live on less than $1 a day) and access to health facilities is very low. It is time for change in Uganda and I believe there are some positives ahead. I would like to be optimistic and say that in the next five years we may be having protection from security organisations (police) as they are the ones that violate us the most. We hope they won't take the law into their own hands and that that they won't be arresting and harassing us.
But changing the laws against homosexuality will take some time. There are many human rights issues that need to be addressed: the right to health for all, the right to life (there is lots of mob justice - for other citizens) There is a lot of poverty. The freedom to enjoy the natural resources of the country is not there. Freedom of speech, such as opposition and ability to speak on issues frankly is not allowed. The press is not free. People are restricted from writing things in a certain way.
Q. How can the international community, and in particular international civil society, support Ugandan LGBTI civil society?
A. The situation is really tough and we need support of both local and international civil society. What we ask is for all to keep in touch with us. We are encouraged when people recognise our work and say they are out there too. It encourages us to keep fighting.