Bobi Wine, the Ugandan singer-cum-politician, says he is reluctant to comment on gay rights in his country because his “political enemies” could use it against him.
During the 2021 presidential campaign in Uganda, Yoweri Museveni, the incumbent president had accused Bobi Wine of being a promoter of homosexuality.
But in a recent interview with 90MinutesAfrica’s Rudolf Okonkwo in New York City, the former presidential aspirant said gay rights are not a pressing issue in Africa.
He said he would like to see the international community be as assertive in matters of human rights violations across the continent as they are about gay rights.
“The anti-gay law was brought against the opposition, including myself,” he said.
“Yoweri Museveni has always wanted to paint us as agents of the West. So I always refrain myself from commenting because they could use any of my comments against me or against people that are close to me.
“In November 2020, over two hundred people, including women and children, were massacred on the streets of Uganda, and the international community did nothing beyond one or two statements of condemnation.
“Within a month, aids have started flocking back into Uganda. Those people that were killed had a right to live. So we really want to see the international community be as assertive on these rights as they are on gay rights.”
Born Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, Bobi Wine is a former member of parliament for Kyadondo county east constituency in Wakiso district, in Uganda’s central region.
He also leads the National Unity Platform political party.
In June 2019, he announced his candidacy for the 2021 Ugandan presidential election. He, however, lost to President Museveni.
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