Uganda Gay Bar Forcefully Closed, Owner Says

KAMPALA, Uganda -- The owner of Uganda's first openly gay bar says her establishment has been shut down, the latest setback for gays and lesbians in this conservative East African nation.

Jacqueline Kasha said Thursday that her Sappho Islands bar was padlocked by the landlord on Sunday. The landlord said the bar was noisy and attracted "strange" people.

The bar's closure comes months after parliament adjourned without acting on a bill that would mandate the death sentence for some gays and lesbians.

Last year, a tabloid newspaper in Uganda published the names and photos of men it alleged were gay. One cover included the words "Hang Them." Shortly afterward, a prominent gay rights activist whose picture was published was bludgeoned to death.

Comments

[Joel Muhumuza]

06:44 PM on 10/11/2011

I can't believe I'm from here. Why do the craziest among us have the loudest voice?A lot of moderate educated Ugandans are appalled by this but for fear of being fired, victimized or imprisoned by the government are not willing to speak up. Shame.The pastors that ignited this ought to be ashamed,more than that, they should be involved in talks to prevent the Bahati bill from going through.

[artstnmtn1]

05:52 AM on 10/07/2011

i see the the tea party movement has far reaching effects.

[esblofeld]

12:38 AM on 10/07/2011

The really sad thing is, the Ugandan government and establishment is still far more reasonable than it's chief internal rival, the Lord's Resistance Army.

[Tim Hurst]

10:38 PM on 10/06/2011

uganda is one of the most backward and ignorant countries you could imagine. Had to go on business once. Disgusting politicians and clergy. They should be ashamed. btw, my company is not doing business with them anymore.

[Ford Ubuntu]

02:14 AM on 10/07/2011

With such an assumption, you wd never do business in Uganda. Its unfortunate you wd make such a general assumption in Uganda. No wonder your "company is not doing business with them anymore."

[Oneandoneandone]

02:07 PM on 10/06/2011

"Last year, a tabloid newspaper in Uganda published the names and photos of men it alleged were gay. One cover included the words "Hang Them." Shortly afterward, a prominent gay rights activist whose picture was published was bludgeoned to death."

There are no words.

[LMPE]

02:00 PM on 10/06/2011

The anti-gay law was of course pushed by the likes of Rick Warren (of Prop 8 fame) and the C Street Family.

[Marcus047]

01:57 PM on 10/06/2011

She's lucky they didn't arrest her and throw her in prison without trial, because under ugandan law, they can do that to someone just for being gay or for aiding and assisting gays.

[makemesmile]

03:34 PM on 10/06/2011

Uganda needs to admit that their country has gay people living there just like every other country on earth. They need to address the issues that are important to the LGBT community because they contribute to the world and to the community just like straight people. Putting them in prison or murdering them for being "unacceptable" is a crime itself.

[gingersaff]

12:34 PM on 10/06/2011

Just another example of the hypocrisy of the West as well as the African Anglican Conference, most specifically Desmond Tutu. He's practically worshipped as a god, but doesn't dare condemn the heinous policies of Uganda and its dictator... and the reason seems to be the cozy relationship of the Ugandan tyrant and the church. Anglicans have done very well in Africa; they've become a large institution with a lot of power and influence. They just don't seem to be able to exert it very well. Tutu rode on Mandela's coattails in South Africa to garner attention and money, and now he raises his voice in unceasing criticism of Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe. Yet when it comes to Museveni in Uganda he is strangely silent. I wonder why? Does he perhaps share that tyrant's hatred of homosexuals?

[Marcus047]

01:59 PM on 10/06/2011

"Does he perhaps share that tyrant's hatred of homosexual­s?"

I don't think he does, past statements suggest that he is very tolerant and welcoming of gays and lesbians, but that said, his silence is deafening and disheartening - he should be ashamed.

[makemesmile]

03:36 PM on 10/06/2011

Perhaps he's very afraid for his own safety?

[Marjorie Sager]

11:56 AM on 10/06/2011

Why is that guy wearing a shirt that says "nobody knows I'm a lesbian".

[ajbiggs]

02:19 PM on 10/06/2011

So people like you can question his gender.........Guess it worked!

[walkerhds]

11:45 AM on 10/06/2011

don't most bars attract their share of strange people? :D

[JuicyJincey]

11:23 AM on 10/06/2011

Ugh. So lame. Death sentence for gay people is shameful and awful.

[piperflyer]

11:05 AM on 10/06/2011

And Noah rejoices!

[ajbiggs]

02:20 PM on 10/06/2011

Another Bachmann fan......scary!