It was an eventful day in Uganda. The Rolling Stone distributed part 2 of their “hang the gays” tabloid, and a Ugandan judge ordered the tabloid to cease outing gays. Just a bit ago, Sexual Minorities Uganda made the following comments and press release.
Kampala. 2.11.2010
Uganda: Court issues an interim order restraining the “ROLLING STONE”
In two of its publication issue No 5 and Issue no 6. The Rolling Stone a Ugandan weekly Tabloid., “outed” Uganda LGBTI People. These outings increased hostility and harassment for LGBTI Ugandans.
In response Sexual Minorities Uganda – SMUG, the Ugandan LGBTI community and the civil society coalition on human rights and constitutional law sued the Rolling Stone.
Before His Lordship Justice V.F Musoke Kibuka in the presence of Ms. Sengendo Rose Counsel for the applicant at the high court of Uganda.
The Court issued an interim order restraining the respondents, their servants and agents, from any further publication in the publication called ROLLING STONE or any other publications by the respondents , their agents or servants, the identities by name or pictures or any relevant implication of the person or person perceived by the respondents to be gay, lesbian or homosexual in general.
The Interim Order is to remain in place till the hearing and disposal of Misc Cause No. 163 of 2010
Costs on the cause.
The Rolling Stone editorial team was not in court; hearing for the case has been scheduled for 23rd .11 . 2010.
And then the press release…
PRESS RELEASE
KAMPALA – November 01, 2010
GAY ACTIVISTS SUE THE ROLLONG STONE TABLOID
The Ugandan Rolling Stone tabloid published an article entitled “100 Pictures of Uganda’s Top Homos Leak” calling for “the hanging of homos” in Uganda in its issue of Vol.1, No. 5, 2 – 9 October, 2010. This article shows pictures of some of the 100 alleged homosexuals and other Human Rights Activists, alongside their names and a description of their professional jobs and private life, including where they live or work.
The publication has affected the day to day lives of the individuals mentioned and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender [LGBTI] community as a whole. Therefore Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender human rights activists have taken the tabloid to the High court.
Through this litigation the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community is seeking to bring to an end the violations. They will also educate and raise awareness that everyone in this society deserves and should be protected by the government and the law irrespective of race, age, color, tribe, creed, sexual orientation and gender identity.
We call on;
1. The MEDIA to immediately desist from using press freedom to incite violence against any person.
2. The Government of Uganda to intervene immediately and take all appropriate measures to put an end to this blatant incitement to public violence against a particular group of citizens.
3. The Government of Uganda should recognize and seize the opportunity to ensure the protection of human rights, which is entrusted to its authority, and uphold the Ugandan Constitution as well as the international and regional Human Rights Instruments to which Uganda is a signatory.
For further information please contact:
Frank Mugisha –