Summary:
- Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine alleges President Museveni’s political motives behind Uganda’s anti-gay law, sparking controversy and prompting criticism from his own party, the Justice Forum.
Ugandan opposition figure Robert Kyagulanyi, commonly known as Bobi Wine, has sparked contention by suggesting that President Museveni orchestrated the introduction of Uganda’s anti-gay legislation for political reasons during a recent interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). Wine, the leader of the National Unity Platform (NUP), asserted that certain members of his party backed the law due to their ties to President Museveni.
In the interview conducted on November 29 during his first visit to London in a decade, Bobi Wine expressed his belief that the anti-gay law did not serve the interests of the Ugandan people but was rather designed to target the opposition, including himself. However, he provided no evidence to support his claims and refrained from identifying the lawmakers he alleged collaborated with President Museveni.
Responding to Bobi Wine’s assertions, the Justice Forum (JEEMA) party, led by Asuman Basalirwa, the sponsor of the anti-gay legislation, criticized him for making accusations and urged him not to vilify fellow opposition members. In a letter to Bobi Wine, JEEMA Secretary General Mohamed Kateregga expressed deep concern and disappointment, calling for a retraction and a commitment to promoting respect and cooperation among leaders.
The controversy centers on Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act, passed by the 529-member Parliament in May. Bobi Wine’s equivocal stance in the BBC interview, where he avoided directly stating his support or opposition to the law, has added fuel to the debate. The law, initially proposing the criminalization of homosexuality, was revised under pressure from President Museveni but still includes the death penalty for aggravated homosexuality convictions.
Homosexuality remains a sensitive issue in Uganda, with societal disapproval and potential repercussions such as travel bans and visa restrictions. Bobi Wine, who previously faced a UK travel ban due to his views on homosexuality, now finds himself at the center of a new controversy with implications for both domestic and international perceptions.
