Jailed Zambian Gay Couple Release by Judge

                                                                                 

The case drew the attention of rights groups and governments concerned that Zambia may be hardening its stance on gay rights following tough new laws in Uganda and elsewhere in Africa. File photo
Image by: Picture: SIMPHIWE NKWALI

A Zambian magistrate has acquitted two men charged with having sexual relations "against the order of nature", saying the state failed to prove its case.

Philip Mubiana and James Mwape, both in their early 20s, have been in custody since May last year and faced up to 15 years in jail if convicted.

The case drew the attention of rights groups and governments concerned that Zambia may be hardening its stance on gay rights following tough new laws in Uganda and elsewhere in Africa.

The two men were arrested after being reported to the police by one of Mubiana's relatives.

Outside the court in Kapiri Mposhi, 200km north of Lusaka, several local residents denounced Western governments for their support of the pair.

In February, another Zambian magistrate acquitted prominent gay, lesbian and transgender rights activist Paul Kasonkomona on charges of encouraging homosexuality after concluding that the prosecution failed to prove its case.

A fewHomophobic  words from the Zambisan President

Several Western nations reduced funding to Yoweri Museveni's government in February after he signed into law new legislation imposing life sentences for being gay.

The aid cuts were welcome because they had "aroused" Ugandans and made them realise they needed to "undertake serious work" to build self-reliance, Museveni told a religious conference in the capital, Kampala.

"Uganda is so rich, we should be the ones to give aid. The only thing we need from the world is trade, if they can buy our products. Aid becomes important only when people are asleep."

The only thing Africans "do well", the 69-year-old president said, was "multiply and fill the Earth", while not working hard to ensure productivity to feed all the continent's people.

It was "unreligious" to offer aid with strings attached, including demands to treat homosexuals, bisexuals and transgender people equally with others, he said.

"That is a bad omen. You are committing a sin to offer that aid, or to receive it," he said.

Museveni has become known for long speeches justifying anti-gay laws by claiming homosexuality is a "lifestyle choice" and Western attempts to impose equality were "social imperialism".

British aid had already been diverted away from the government, and the £83-million (about R1.5-billion) the UK Department for International Development spends annually in Uganda goes through approved charities.

The US last month cut aid, imposed visa restrictions and cancelled a military exercise it planned with the Ugandan army in Barack Obama's latest sanctions against Museveni over the new laws.

Norway and Denmark also reduced their funding to Uganda, where Museveni has been in power for 28 years and appears unwilling to step down.

timeslive.co.za