Uganda’s Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual and Trans-Gender (LGBT) community has held a vigil in Kampala today, paying tribute and sending condolences to their fellows, following the loss of life at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida.
News broke on Sunday that 50 people had been left dead and many more injured in the nightclub shooting. The assailant entered the gay club near downtown Orlando and opened fire at 2:02 a.m., according to local police, making in the worst mass shooting in U.S. history.
Retired Bishop of the Diocese of West Buganda and Campaigner for LGBT rights in Uganda Christopher Senyonjo graced the vigil, together with renowned Makerere University Professor Stella Nyanzi.
Uganda’s LGBT community suggests that what happened in Orlando shows that their community is at risk anywhere.
The theme of Vigil was “Orlando is Uganda” and most followers showed up in Colors relevant to the LGBT flag. The group did not disclose the exact location of the vigil however, it is reported that Chapter Four Uganda was the host.
Earlier, Senyonjo testified against Uganda’s anti-gay bill and was part of a delegation to the Speaker of the House to oppose it. He said that it was inhumane, violated the UN Declaration of Human Rights and “the sacred bonds of the Ugandan extended family”, would make Uganda a police state, and increases the spread of HIV as people would be afraid to seek treatment.
Clouds have cleared we are now settling into our gardens #UgandaIsOrlando. Solidarity virgil pic.twitter.com/VqIW8R3GL7
— BombasticKasha (@KashaJacqueline) June 18, 2016
In 2009 Senyonjo attended an anti-gay conference from March 5–7, 2009, titled “Exposing the truth behind homosexuality and the homosexual agenda”, which featured the American activists Scott Lively, Exodus International executive Don Schmierer, and International Healing Foundation representative Caleb Lee Brundidge.
In 2010, Senyonjo founded the St. Paul’s Foundation for International Reconciliation to support GLBT equality internationally. He is the executive director of St. Paul’s Reconciliation and Equality Centre (SPREC) in Kampala, Uganda.
For his stance Senyonjo has received several honors including the Clinton Global Citizen Award, and has been invited to participate in documentaries and international speaking tours.
For his support, Senyonjo is regarded as an “elder” of the LGBT community.
marvin@ugchristiannews.com
