Desmond Tutu compares Uganda's anti-gay bill with Hitler's behaviour in Nazi Germany
The retired Archbishop pleaded with the President to strengthen Uganda's human rights
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Desmond Tutu has urged Uganda’s President not to sign a harsh Anti-Homosexuality Bill that could see same-sex couples sentenced to life in prison.
South Africa’s retired Archbishop compared Yoweri Museveni's behaviour with Hitler's in Nazi Germany.
Although the President had pledged not to sign the bill, last week he reconsidered and said he would approve the legislation after he consulted scientists who said homosexuality was "learned."
Tutu, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, said he was “disheartened” by Museveni's decision because there is "no scientific basis or genetic rationale for love."
He said Museveni's decision could lead to situations like those that happened in Nazi Germany or during the apartheid.
"In South Africa, apartheid police used to rush into bedrooms where whites were suspected of making love to blacks," Tutu said in a statement. "It was demeaning to those whose 'crime' was to love each other, it was demeaning to the policemen - and it was a blot on our entire society."
"The history of people is littered with attempts to legislate against love or marriage across class, caste and race," Tutu argued.
"But there is no scientific basis or genetic rationale for love... There is no scientific justification for prejudice and discrimination, ever. And nor is there any moral justification.
"Nazi Germany and apartheid South Africa, among others, attest to these facts."
And he urged Museveni to strengthen Uganda's "culture of human rights and justice."
The President's indication of approval for the bill prompted widespread condemnation from Western governments.
U.S. President Barack Obama said in a statement that the bill signals a "step backward for all Ugandans" and warned that enacting it would "complicate" the East African country's relationship with Washington.
The bill is popular in Uganda, where it has been championed by Christian clerics and politicians who say it is necessary to deter Western homosexuals from "recruiting" Ugandan children.
It originally proposed the death penalty for a category of offenses called "aggravated homosexuality," defined to include repeated sex among consenting adults as well as sex acts involving minors or a partner infected with HIV.
Amid international pressure, including the threat to withdraw aid by European countries such as Sweden, the death penalty was removed.
The bill before Museveni sets life imprisonment as the maximum penalty and imposes a 14-year jail term for first-time homosexual offenders.
Additional reporting by Associated Press
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments