General

Ugandan newspaper calls for hanging of gays

Managing editor says journalists’ duty is to “expose the evil in our society”

Human rights activists are warning that the lives of gay people in Uganda are in danger after Rolling Stone, a local newspaper, published a story featuring the names and photographs of 100 homosexuals under the headline: “Hang Them.” At least one woman named in the story has been forced to leave her home, while others have reported verbal abuse. The article appeared earlier this month following the first anniversary of the introduction to parliament of a controversial anti-homosexuality bill that calls for the death penalty for those convicted of repeated same-sex relations. Gay activists in the county are saying the legislation has inspired hate speech and created a climate of fear among homosexuals. Giles Muhame, the managing editor of the newspaper, defended the story, saying it was his duty as a journalist to “expose the evil in our society”.

The Guardian

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