On the eve of Pope Francis’s visit, African gays addressed to him asking for the protection of their gay rights. The visit of Pope Francis in Africa will start on 25th of November. The Pope has Kenya, Uganda and Central African Republic on his visit schedule.
According to the director of the non-governmental organization “Sexual Minorities in Uganda” Frank Mugisha, “in the case if the Pope preaches on the rights of gays, Ugandans will not listen him; but if he talks about rights, tolerance and equality, Uganda will listen to him.”
As the gay activists of Uganda stated, they are hoping that Francis “at least will explain people that homosexual orientation is not a curse.”
According to Press Secretary of the Government of Uganda Bantarizy Shabana, the authorities of the country hope that the Pope’s words do not conflict with the fundamental convictions of Ugandans.”
Homosexuality and gay sex are illegal in most African countries. The Government of Uganda, in which about 40% are Catholics, actively supports anti-gay movement since 2013 when the government was about to strengthen the penalty for gay sex to the death penalty or life imprisonment.
The law was repealed on procedural grounds, but not before US Secretary of State John Kerry has compared it with the anti-Semitic laws in Nazi Germany.
