Every faltering government scours society for something it can use to stem the growing tide of mistrust among its citizens, and take the heat off its own failings. This search often takes rulers to the doors of the most marginalized.
In Uganda, the queer community has been the target of political violence whenever the government has attracted significant public outrage due to the corruption, nepotism and general incompetence within its ranks. President Yoweri Museveni’s government – which has now been in power for 37 years – has repeatedly stoked fears of ‘homosexuality’ and promoted the deluded nationalistic call to protect ‘African values’ from sexual diversity. The state rallies the people, to whom it has denied reliable, basic public services and freedoms to find their power in othering their fellow citizens.
