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Uganda's ethics minister attacks 'lunchtime sex' | Uganda's ethics minister attacks 'lunchtime sex' |
(35 minutes later) | |
Uganda's ethics minister, previously known for his statements on mini-skirts and homosexuality has been condemned after calling for police to raid guesthouses used for "lunchtime sex". | |
Most Ugandans discussing this are wondering if such a clampdown would be the best use of police time. | Most Ugandans discussing this are wondering if such a clampdown would be the best use of police time. |
Harriet Nabudere, for example, says on Twitter that the minister, Father Simon Lokodo, "should deal with glaring immoralities, like graft, corruption, unlawful detention, defilement in schools etc". | |
Lunchtime sex in Uganda is often talked about as a joke. People laugh about how small guesthouses are the place to go for extramarital affairs. | Lunchtime sex in Uganda is often talked about as a joke. People laugh about how small guesthouses are the place to go for extramarital affairs. |
But I should be clear: Not all Ugandans are getting up to this. | But I should be clear: Not all Ugandans are getting up to this. |
The best example of how it works was described to me by a woman's rights activist, who used it as an example of the country's double standards. | |
She went to a hotel for lunch. When she arrived at the car park, it was packed and an attendant offered to hide her number plate. | She went to a hotel for lunch. When she arrived at the car park, it was packed and an attendant offered to hide her number plate. |
This surprised her and she said "No". | This surprised her and she said "No". |
Once in the restaurant, she found it empty and she asked her friend where everyone was. | Once in the restaurant, she found it empty and she asked her friend where everyone was. |
The reply: "Don't you know what's happening? They're all in the rooms." | The reply: "Don't you know what's happening? They're all in the rooms." |
Father Simon has built up a reputation for making controversial comments, and it has got to the point where some Ugandans have stopped listening to him. | Father Simon has built up a reputation for making controversial comments, and it has got to the point where some Ugandans have stopped listening to him. |
He has previously said that he takes free condoms out of hotel toilets because they encourage promiscuity. | He has previously said that he takes free condoms out of hotel toilets because they encourage promiscuity. |
The condoms are part of a campaign which aims to reduce the number of new HIV infections in the country, where 7.4% of the people are HIV-positive. | The condoms are part of a campaign which aims to reduce the number of new HIV infections in the country, where 7.4% of the people are HIV-positive. |
A social media campaign began when he appeared to suggest in 2013 that mini-skirts should be banned. He has also talked about banning some NGOs that he accused of promoting homosexuality. | A social media campaign began when he appeared to suggest in 2013 that mini-skirts should be banned. He has also talked about banning some NGOs that he accused of promoting homosexuality. |
The minister defends himself by saying he does talk about other issues like corruption but no-one focuses on those because they do not grab the headlines. And he believes safeguarding what he sees as family values is fundamental for Uganda's future. | The minister defends himself by saying he does talk about other issues like corruption but no-one focuses on those because they do not grab the headlines. And he believes safeguarding what he sees as family values is fundamental for Uganda's future. |
For all the jokes, as a cabinet minister he has the ability to push for legislation that could affect people's lives. | For all the jokes, as a cabinet minister he has the ability to push for legislation that could affect people's lives. |
He championed the anti-pornography act, for example, which aims to stop public indecency, and he has led televised police raids against dancers performing in music videos and clubs, saying they are too erotic. | |
Several people have been arrested and Ugandan singer Panadol wa Basajja is facing 10 years in jail. |
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