At the recent third African Regional Interparliamentary Conference on Emerging Global Challenges held from May 9 to May 11 at the Imperial Resort Beach hotel, several political and religious leaders reiterated the need to protect “African family values” from the so-called “foreign ideologies.”
They spoke of defending Africa’s sovereignty, resisting global sexual and reproductive rights agendas and promoting a self-reliant continent. Some pointed to the Samoa Agreement between the European Union and the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) as an example of external influence, arguing that LGBTQ+ rights are part of a Western agenda being imposed on African societies.
Beyond the glamour and posturing, that narrative is flawed. Let’s be clear; homosexuality is not foreign to Africa; homophobia is. Here is why: Several historical and scholarly records show that long before colonialism, many African societies, including in Uganda, recognized gender diversity and same-sex relationships in various forms.
One simply needs to read Prof Sylvia Tamale’s uncontested research publications such as African Sexualities: A Reader (2011), where she notes that among the Langi, the mudoko dako or effeminate males, were treated as women and could marry men. There are many similar examples in Uganda.
Therefore, these realities were deeply woven into cultural and social life, well before British colonial laws introduced strict anti-sodomy codes and Christian missionaries promoted rigid views on gender and sexuality.
Ask yourself; why would the colonialists create anti-sodomy codes where there was no such practice? In essence, the belief that African cultures have always been exclusively heterosexual or patriarchal does not reflect historical evidence. So, when politicians or religious leaders claim that LGBTQ+ people are “un-African,” they are not preserving African heritage—they are erasing parts of it.
What makes this narrative even more concerning is that it often gains momentum during periods of social or economic strain. LGBTQ+ individuals are too frequently made into scapegoats, used to divert public attention from other pressing challenges such as corruption, unemployment or gaps in healthcare and education.
Picture this, Uganda’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws and rhetoric are used to appeal to domestic cultural values. Yet on the other hand, Uganda continues to rely heavily on international aid and investment from the governments and institutions it accuses of spreading “foreign values.”
Matters were not helped with the passage of the Anti-Homosexuality Act (AHA), which has already led to severe consequences. In the wake, some international donors suspended or redirected aid, affecting sectors such as healthcare, education and community development.
Ironically, these disruptions hurt ordinary citizens across the board, not just LGBTQ+ individuals. Everyone privy about the ongoings in tourism may have noticed already that since AHA, a growing part of Uganda’s economy has also taken a hit.
Travelers now see the country as less welcoming and some international tour operators have scaled back. This contradiction is increasingly difficult to ignore because protecting African values should not come at the expense of any group’s dignity or safety.
True sovereignty means ensuring that all citizens, regardless of identity, are treated with fairness and respect. So, that framing is both misleading and harmful. LGBTQ+ people have always existed in Africa.
What was introduced from outside were the colonial laws and ideologies that criminalized and stigmatized queer identities. Labeling LGBTQ+ rights as foreign erases African history and shifts focus away from real social priorities.
To argue that LGBTQ+ rights are incompatible with African culture is to oversimplify African culture while ignoring history. Ironically, while these laws are framed as defending sovereignty or traditional values, they may weaken the very systems that could improve the nation’s resilience and growth.
In today’s interconnected world, isolating policies come at a cost— not just socially, but economically. Meanwhile, whereas the OACPS was cited as an example of Western pressure on African nations regarding sexual rights, the opposite is true because when allies work alongside African advocates, support grassroots organizing and promote broader human rights—not just for LGBTQ+ people—it can be very effective.
The key is genuine partnership, not external imposition. Lastly, I have noted of recent that LGBTQ+ issues are used as a distraction from governance challenges and indeed, there is some truth to that.
During times of economic hardship or political tension, LGBTQ+ people are often portrayed as a national threat. These shifts focus away from systemic issues like healthcare, education, or public accountability. So, it is a way to redirect public frustration, rather than address the root problems. Ultimately, it hinders progress rather than supporting it.
The author is a human rights advocate and Nobel Peace Prize nominee.
But Mr. Mugisha, even though LGBTQ+ people existed or still exist in Africa, but it was and still is considered as weird, a disorder/disability and/or unnatural; and therefore it was/is not, liberalized, promoted and/or celebrated in the name of respecting human rights, like it is done in the West.
And when it was detected by elders, efforts were made through e.g., traditional sex education practitioners (Ssenga), to reorient the victim into normal heterosexual sexual conduct.
In other words, since ‘unnaturally being’ and not ‘becoming’ LGBTQ by mechanical orientation/practice is a sexual abnormality; it cannot become a right but a human wrong.
Mr Mugisha the existence of LGBTQ variants in africa and uganda before collonialism is nt contestable. What I disagree with is your argument that these were and should be normalised and not seen as problematic. If we all supported LGBTQ agenda and allowed these people to do as they please including recruiting young poor desperate people in exchange for money then we would be have a big problem…we would have men marrying men and women marrying women , meaning in years to come we would be extinct as a people. while I concur with the view that rights of every human being should be protected rights have a limit. For example the right to enjoy your life freely does not mean you have a right to play loud music every night and stop your neighbors from enjoying their sleep. So why would you campaigning and popularizing homosexuality by even enticing young people with gifts if it is normal…I have never seen anyone paying homosexuals people to be heterosexuals. I am going to ask you what i asked one bisexual pastor who had sex with men and women…if Frank , you son came to you and asked to introduce his fiancee to you and he comes with a fellow man, how would you feel? The pastor said he would be devastated and I guess you too would be if all your children married people of their sex and you knew they were influenced into this by the rights of homosexual movement you talk so much for, just for personal gains.
It saddens me to see how colonial has taken root in those commenting here. Being South African and a sister to a gay brother (deceased), we celebrated so much when Gay marriage was lawfully recognised in 2006. We hoped that this would spread through Africa.
Over the years, I have encountered so many bullies who are against our LGBTQIA+ communities, many citing unfounded reasons for their blatant bigotry.
My brother passed by suicide in 2021 – 15 years of liberated rights did very little to change violent mindsets adopted from colonial and Abrahamic ideologies.
Thank you, Frank, for your very frank insights into how homophobia is adopted into Africa and that we need to work to challenge it for its many impacts on our societies as a whole!
But Leela, it is a pity you didn’t psychologically help your brother to become normal from his abnormality/disability.
Who in his/her right state of mind does not know that the rear-end (anus) is for sh’t and not sex? In other words, if even without seeing where it is; the shameless CHICKEN, GOATS, DOGS, etc. know the right thing!
Otherwise nobody should commit suicide because of wrongdoing.
From the look of things You could have helped your brother if you had become honest with him…that he was astray simple as that.Do you even know the divine procreation purpose of marriage. I bet we would not be reading your confused comment here if your dad had married or slept with a fellow man. Something existing does not make it right..people steal, fornicate but this does not make these things right. There is no where in the world where homosexuality is celebrated, not even in the western world which has succumbed to blackmail from powerful gay groups to enact laws that support homosexuality.
Naboma, your clear stand up valiant defence for what is right; is your First Class TICKET TO HEAVEN.
In other words, many waste their whole life defending the absolutely wrong things and get their Worst Class TICKET TO HELL.
But Leela, it is a pity you didn’t psychologically help your brother to become normal from his abnormality/disability.
Who in his/her right state of mind does not know that the rear-end (anus) is for sh’t and not sex? In other words, if even without seeing where it is; the shameless CHICKEN, GOATS, DOGS, etc. know the right thing!
Otherwise nobody should commit suicide because of wrongdoing.