Uganda’s President Yoweri Kaguta
Museveni last week signed into law the Anti-Homosexual Bill. Social media has been active in the
discussion. A multiple of Western
nations are considering changing their aid packages to Uganda. Western media has some thoughtful voices
speaking. Yet, I can also find some who
quickly resort to name calling.
This
discussion is very personal one for me.
My family was blessed to spend 11 years in Uganda. Many of the media commentators and pastors
from Africa’s Great Lakes are my friends.
Also, I am privileged to have been friends with some of the Ugandan
political leaders. During my missionary posting in Chicago some
of our family’s most delightful friendships are with Uganda Diaspora.
So far
though there are a multiple of Ugandan pastors and short-term missionaries
involved in the Anti-Homosexual Bill I can find few who are offering pastoral
reflections. I prayerfully try in the
hope that whatever words the Lord may give me will be ones to heal wounds.
THE HISTORICAL WOUNDS ENDURE
My
missionary training frequently included the phrase, “Context matters.” I believe it. This concept of seeking to understand is
crucial to healing wounds. A gaping hole
that I repeatedly see in the discussion of the debate on homosexuality in
Uganda is the historical wounds.
Most
cultural commentators on Uganda conclude that homosexuality is considered
abhorrent. Yet, a few mention that
there are some instances of behavior that contemporary humanity would call
homosexual. Andrew Mwenda has been one
of the more open ones to discuss historical practices of homosexuality in
Uganda in pre-colonial periods. As a
missionary I asked question after question trying to understand context. A few times I heard stories similar to the
ones repeated by my friend, Andrew.
Yet, those who whispered these stories to me saw them as fringe behavior
in the darker reaches of Ugandan traditional culture. All cultures (including my American one)
have fringe places of darkness. I am
cautious to make these normative patterns of understanding as they many times
further promote prejudice. Yet, to be honest we must acknowledge there is a
history of homosexual behavior in pre-colonial Uganda. Yet, those stories are difficult to document
and meander into a world of great ambiguity.
However, there is one historical
event that I do believe has left a deeply lasting wound in Uganda. On June 3, 1886 Buganda’s Kabaka (King)
Mwanga ordered the execution of between 30 and 40 of his pages. Many historians believe the pages were
ordered to be executed after their refusal to submit to Kabaka Mwanga’s
homosexual advances. These pages were
both Catholic and Protestant and some of the earliest Christian converts in
Uganda. Though the tragedy took place
in Buganda some of the pages were from neighboring tribes. Many in Uganda find the story so
embarrassing that they never mention the homosexual parts of the story. Those who do tell the homosexual parts of
the story usually include that homosexuality was introduced to Buganda by Arab
traders and that it was a new and abhorrent practice in Buganda. The
events following the martyrdom led to an increase in the speed of the colonial
activity, religious wars, rapid increase in Christian influence, and an
enduring story.
 |
| Road to Namugongo, Martyr's Day |
Martyr’s Day on June 3 is a Ugandan
National Holiday. All stops and thousands make their way to the
Namugongo Shrine where the martyrdom took place. The
Ugandan Martyrs are Catholic Saints.
Uganda’s history of homosexuality is perceived as one of outside
influence and violence. It is little
wonder why the discussion on homosexuality so rapidly stirs such deep emotions.
PROTECTING THE VULNERABLE
A basic
task of leadership is security of person.
Protective leaders scan their surroundings to maintain safety. Humanity is wounded. Our wounds can at times make us wise. At other times they create a sense of
paranoia that wounds others.
Discernment is our prayer and hope.
With
Uganda’s historic wounds her best leaders search to protect the most
vulnerable. I perceive two realities
that make Uganda’s youth vulnerable in her beginning interactions with
homosexuality.
The
first vulnerability is Ugandan poverty.
Though great economic strides have been made in Uganda from the
collapsed state of the 1970’s and 80’s Uganda still is a poor country. A growing middle class is part of Uganda,
but there are still young people who struggle to have the basics of life. With such levels of poverty it is very easy
to manipulate one into behavior one would not normally do with the promise of money,
immigration, jobs and scholarship opportunities.
The
second area of vulnerability is Uganda’s culture of same gender affection. In
Ugandan culture intimate affection is
expressed between those of the same gender with no sexual connotation. For instance, one will frequently see men in
Uganda walking the streets holding hands with one another.
These men sometimes are the most masculine
men that can be found.
In school rooms
with too few desks one will find several students of the same gender sitting on
one another’s lap.
Many westerners feel
quite uncomfortable when they first have a Ugandan friend of the same gender
take their hand on a walking conversation.
Some westerners quickly conclude this same gender affection is a mark of
homosexuality. It is not. However, with cultural cues so different
the potential for misinterpretation and later exploitation is possible
CONTEMPORARY WOUNDS ARE REAL
As I have read Western
commentaries on the Ant-Homosexual legislation I have noticed a tendency to not
acknowledge contemporary wounds in Uganda.
I pastored a church in Kampala and had a high level of community
engagement with youth. I can twice
remember listening to painful stories as Ugandan youth had fallen into an
exploitative homosexual relationship, and we sought through prayer and the grace
of God to find healing. The stories
were ones of poverty and same gender affection meeting an expatriate who at
first seemed helpful, but later developed a surprising sexual component.
I also
can twice remember while away from Africa on furloughs communicating with former
African missionaries who were in the midst of healing from being such an
exploiter. Both situations were ones
of tragedy. I have pastorally
listened to both sides. God made
humanity in His image. We are full of
dignity by the proclamation of God.
Yet, we are all also depraved and do the most horrible things. Our
contemporary wounds are real. Through
the Lord’s grace we seek healing.
I also
am friends with a number of Diaspora from Africa’s Great Lakes who have
traveled to Western nations to study. I
have lost track of the number of times in visiting with Diaspora students they
explain the confusion of first meeting homosexuals. The nuance and cultural cues of our
different cultures make misunderstanding likely. With so many misunderstandings the
potential for wounds is great. Healing
must be sought.
NEW NARRATIVES
The
narrative that I have frequently experienced in listening to these types of
stories has some consistent themes. My
friends in the midst of healing from what they did to their fellow man tell
stories of a dysfunctional childhood home and early exposure to pornography.
Yet, I
can read of other narratives that don’t include these types of stories. I believe we need to listen well to other
narratives. In God’s family there is
always room for conversation.
FREQUENCY?
While these wounds are real I also
need to mention they are rare. If my
averages are consistent with other pastors in Africa healing from homosexual
exploitation is a pastor’s task about once every 4 to 5 years. I have lost track of the number of times
pastoral counseling involved healing from heterosexual exploitation. My sense is that heterosexual exploitation
is much more prevalent than homosexual exploitation. Both require governments to develop strong
measures of legal protection.
DEMOCRACY IS MESSY
In the
debate concerning the signing of Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality act there have
been several positions taken that I believe are ill advised to heal wounds. One has been the approach of Western nation’s
leaders that seems to forget democracy is a messy endeavor. Democracy evolves. It reflects shifting society morals. History finds that almost all democracies
do things that later generations will find flawed. Thus fear of our own arrogance is one of
the most appropriate states of democratic wisdom.
“I believe that we live in a global
community in which it is acceptable for friends to widely and graciously advise
one another. However, I also believe that sometimes global advice can
degenerate into the powerful manipulating those who have less global influence.
I found it disturbing that though David Bahati was the author of Uganda’s
legislation and Edward Ssekandi is the Speaker of Uganda’s Parliament,
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton did not mention a phone call to either of
them. Instead, she clarified that she had called Uganda’s President Yoweri
Kaguta Museveni to voice her disapproval of the legislation. It seemed to me
that a phone call to President Museveni communicates that the United States
government is more comfortable with a developing nation where one individual
personally influences national policy than one in which democratic practice is
debated and decided in community. David Bahati saw a problem in Uganda. He
introduced legislation that he saw as a solution. Now, Uganda debates his
proposal. This is how parliamentary democracy functions. We in the west would
be well served to allow Uganda to debate and decide without our manipulation.
Those of us who are only visitors or friends to Uganda must allow Uganda to
develop her own democratic institutions and practice.”
I am at the same place today. As
time has gone on the death penalty has been removed from the legislation. Then Uganda’s parliament, religious
organizations, N.G.O.’s, and media thoroughly debated the bill. It was passed by Parliament. Then President Museveni signed the bill into
law. Though we may have concerns,
democracy worked in a democratic way in Uganda. All the polls show that the majority of
Ugandans approve of the legislation. In
a short amount of time the legislation will be tested in Uganda’s courts. If history is a marker the Anti-Homosexuality
law will be practically modified many times in the next few years.
The banter of Western nation’s
leaders is an inappropriate muscle flexing mechanism that I believe discourages
the development of democratic institutions in both Uganda and around the world. Emperors tell other sovereign nations what
do with threats. Democracy calls for
discussion. Because of our flawed human
condition democracy is always messy.
Grace is our hope.
MOB JUSTICE IS IMMORAL
Another
approach that will not heal the wounds is mob justice. In seasons of communal frustration we take
matters into our own hands. Someone
must pay. History is filled with
stories of the injustices of angry mobs crying for blood. Maybe, the most enduring and indicting
story of an ungodly mob is the one crying for Jesus of Nazareth to be
crucified. All humanity at one time or
another has participated in mob justice.
Whether we were a school bully or a self-righteous religious hypocrite
we have all participated. It is immoral. Repentance is required.
There
is no place for publicly naming and shaming.
Healing requires confidences.
There is no place to grab a suspect, host an impromptu court, and
brutalize another. Justice requires
law, the establishment of truth, and measured punishments. The goal of justice is a reconciled
community. Mob justice makes
reconciliation impossible.
PRIORITIES
Many
have raised the issue of priorities.
Uganda faces many difficulties – unstable neighbors, rampant corruption
in politics, poverty, poor infrastructure, and inadequate education systems are
some of the first to come to my mind.
Why has the Anti-Homosexual legislation become center stage?
If one
does a twitter search on “Uganda” most of the hits the last week have concerned
this legislation. Yet, when one reads
New
Vision (
http://www.newvision.co.ug/)
or
Monitor (
http://www.monitor.co.ug/)
(Uganda’s leading daily newspapers) it
seems that
Ugandans have much more on their mind. Ugandan media and churches are discussing
many more matters.
I suspect that this
legislation has become the priority of westerners and neglected that the
Ugandan public finds other matters to prioritize.
History
may find that the Anti-Homosexual legislation was nothing more than a political
show for partisan purposes. Yet,
history will speak most clearly in the contemporary times as we are faithful
with the task of today.
Let us
today make the well being of our neighbors the highest priority. As our neighbors are diverse so will be the
daily tasks. All of these tasks seek a
better day. We believe this world is
wounded and flawed. Yet, our Lord
teaches us that redemption is possible.
REDEMPTION IS POSSIBLE
Those
who oppose the law also neglect redemption.
Many of their arguments demean those who believe change is possible. They argue that homosexuality is a fixed state
unable to change.
Both
extremes leave our community tattered and torn.
Master
missionary Paul wrote,
“Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the
Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who
worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice
homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or
drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the
Kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:9, 10.
New Living Translation.)”
The
most terrifying words are that none of us can escape this condemnation. There are some sins we find culturally abhorrent
in Paul’s list, but when it comes to making material things our pursuit
(idolatry), small acts of theft, and anger we’re most likely all guilty. Paul
in another passage wrote,
“For we have
already shown that all people … are under the power of sin. (Romans 6:9. New Living Translation.)”
None
of us is righteous. We’re all
guilty. If the mob has to sacrifice
someone it might as well be me.
Yet,
the story is not over. Paul tells
about the start of a new church plant in Corinth,
“Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were
made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord
Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 9:11. New Living Translation.)”
If 2,000 years ago God could
redeem such morally bankrupt people and turn them into a vibrant church He can
do the same thing today. The extremists
are mistaken. Redemption is possible.
THE LEGITIMACY OF THE MISSIONARY IMPULSE
In the
discussion many have pointed out that Uganda’s Anti-Homosexual law was promoted
by conservative American evangelical short-term missionaries. I can understand their reasoning. Yet I disagree. I define a missionary as one sent by the
Holy Spirit to a new location to make disciples, develop churches, and usher in
kingdom possibilities. To be a
missionary requires for one to become a master of a place that will always be
foreign. There is no such thing as a
short-term missionary. Missionaries
listen and serve before speaking. Those
who speak quickly are simply meddlers.
Paul
was a missionary. The Roman world was
changed by his missionary impulse. He
was a master of contemporary languages and cultures. He offended many, but his chief offense was
his steadfast belief in the possibility of redemption because of the death,
burial, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth.
The
missionary impulse is a legitimate one not only in Uganda, but in America. I’m a newbie in Chicago. Yet, I’ve been dumbfounded by watching
Chicago dig out from snow. In Africa’s
Great Lakes our best leaders insist that in the midst of nature’s obstacles our
community serves our most vulnerable.
I can’t believe it as I watch single moms, the elderly, and the disabled
deal with Chicago snow.
A few
weeks ago I was driving in the snow through my neighborhood that has some
Diaspora from Africa’s Great Lakes.
I
don’t know all of them so I’m always looking, listening, and trying to find a
way to start a conversation.
As I
drove I noticed a woman with black skin, tightly bundled, walking with swagger
(that place between humility and dignity), with a bit of kitenge (African
cloth) wrapped as a scarf. I didn’t
know her personally, but I knew she was from my earthly home. She came to a busy street corner at the
same time as an older European American woman.
Then the
missionary impulse happened. The woman with black skin quickly grabbed
the hand of the older woman and helped her walk across the street. Only one out of place would be so
bold. Only one whose culture accepted
same gender affection would quickly take another’s hand. The older woman was startled and then
quickly assured.
Both were safe in a moment
of danger.
Traffic quickly forced me to
drive through the intersection without a conversation.
Yet,
I knew the missionary impulse lived in my African sister. Without that impulse our neighborhood had no
hope of becoming all God intended.
It is
because of this hope that I write this blog.
Uganda is dear to me. The wounds
are real. Democracy is messy. Redemption is possible. We must attempt to heal the wounds.
What is the vision of GLF (Great Lakes Fellowship)?
Not this Saturday. However, her dad, Dr. Peter Anyang' Nyong'o is a
1977 graduate of the University of Chicago; some of us grew up in Kisumu; we’ll
ask questions; and nothing is impossible with God. (We always try to be thankful and God’s
grace frequently surprises us.)
We’ll have chai to drink as we gather. We’ll have a few worship songs from
home. We’ll have a discussion about a
relevant issue for our community. (This
month we’ll celebrate Lupita’s Oscar win and talk about our children’s
adaptation.) We’ll celebrate our unity
in Holy Communion. We’ll eat a meal
together. (Rumors are some are bringing
passion fruit juice, muchomo, chapatti, and mandazi.)
