Bachmann staffer has history of arrest in Uganda

This is a strange story but one worth watching.
An staffer for Michele Bachmann is an international man of mystery according to the Atlantic. The same Peter Waldron who helped Michele Bachmann win the Iowa straw poll on Saturday was arrested in Uganda in 2006 for illegal possession of rifles. And he boasted a familiar Ugandan pastor as a friend:

Mugenyi could not say what Waldron’s Contact America Group is involved in or whether it is registered in Uganda. “We suspect that it could be either an NGO or a lobby group,” he said. Despite Mugenyi’s attempt to link Waldron to Besigye, Waldron says he has close relations with State House.
In an article titled Evangelicals v. Muslims in Africa: Enemy’s Enemy and published in the US news magazine The New Republic in August 2004, Waldron says he had met President Yoweri Museveni. The American doctor also says he is a friend of the first family and a friend of Pastor Martin Sempa, according to the article, written by one Stuart Price.

Waldron liked Uganda according to a New Republic report because it was so conservative and Christian:

“They embrace Americans here,” he said enthusiastically. Indeed, as we sat together, a steady stream of young admirers who had seen Waldron in church came up to greet him. They made complicated handshakes, the way Ugandans do, and Waldron boasted to me that he had met privately with President Museveni and his born-again wife.”
“It struck me that, for many Americans of faith, Uganda – a country where homosexuality and abortion are outlawed, where politicians freely mix church and state, and where outward displays of religious devotion are the norm – represents a kind of haven.” Waldron is said to have talked to several high-ranking government officials on arrest including some powerful ministers.

Quite an interesting guy, perhaps he is the inspiration for the man in the Dos Equis commercials.
Stay thirsty, my friends.
UPDATE: Andrew Rice, the author of the New Republic article mentioned in the Uganda paper, brings us all up to date on his contacts with Waldron. He also reminds us that as recently as 2004, Ssempa was a hot deal for US evangelicals.
UPDATE: Peter Waldron says on his Facebook wall that Michele Bachmann has the annointing of God on her.

HOW CAN ANYONE STAND ON THE SIDELINE? I am simply amazed that some folks are waiting for Saul-like characters who look everything like a king while Michele fights with the anointing of God upon her. She is fearless, fierce in battle, and focused on winning the nomination and securing the White House. Thinking about running, waiting to throw their hat in the ring – foolishness. The battle rages now and Michele needs an army.

10 thoughts on “Bachmann staffer has history of arrest in Uganda”

  1. So fearless that Bachmann likely spoke a lie about her former pastor with the full intent of getting away with it?

  2. So fearless that Bachmann likely spoke a lie about her former pastor with the full intent of getting away with it?

  3. I believe you are right that the material there is from Andrew Rice. Let me look into this some more.
    And believe me (watch the vids) there is lots of juice.

  4. Trust me, I have no desire to defend Waldron, but looking at your source article, it appears that this quote is not from Waldron:

    It struck me that, for many Americans of faith, Uganda – a country where homosexuality and abortion are outlawed, where politicians freely mix church and state, and where outward displays of religious devotion are the norm – represents a kind of haven.

    This quote appears to be author Andrew Rice’s commentary, not the words of Waldron. In fact, I can’t find your version of the quote in the source you cite. I see this instead (note the difference between the version in the last sentence):

    It occurred to me, not for the first time, that when it came to religion, the relationship between America and Africa is not at all one-way. For many Americans of faith, Uganda, a country where homosexuality and abortion are outlawed, where politicians freely mix church and state, and where outward displays of religious devotion are the norm, represents a kind of haven. America may have a born-again president, but it is far too diverse to be, as conservatives call it, “a Christian nation.” But Uganda is on its way to becoming one.

    Perhaps I’m looking in the wrong place, and if so, I’d love to be corrected (this is really juicy stuff!) In any case, thanks for the important work you do.

  5. I believe you are right that the material there is from Andrew Rice. Let me look into this some more.
    And believe me (watch the vids) there is lots of juice.

  6. Trust me, I have no desire to defend Waldron, but looking at your source article, it appears that this quote is not from Waldron:

    It struck me that, for many Americans of faith, Uganda – a country where homosexuality and abortion are outlawed, where politicians freely mix church and state, and where outward displays of religious devotion are the norm – represents a kind of haven.

    This quote appears to be author Andrew Rice’s commentary, not the words of Waldron. In fact, I can’t find your version of the quote in the source you cite. I see this instead (note the difference between the version in the last sentence):

    It occurred to me, not for the first time, that when it came to religion, the relationship between America and Africa is not at all one-way. For many Americans of faith, Uganda, a country where homosexuality and abortion are outlawed, where politicians freely mix church and state, and where outward displays of religious devotion are the norm, represents a kind of haven. America may have a born-again president, but it is far too diverse to be, as conservatives call it, “a Christian nation.” But Uganda is on its way to becoming one.

    Perhaps I’m looking in the wrong place, and if so, I’d love to be corrected (this is really juicy stuff!) In any case, thanks for the important work you do.

Comments are closed.