Warren Throckmorton has details of a statement by Charles Tuhaise in his capacity as President of the National Association of Social Workers of Uganda (NASWU), defending the Anti-Homosexuality Bill. Tuhaise rails against Alfred Kinsey for his influence on American society, using the usual talking-points (I blogged on some of these here); warns that homosexuality spreads disease; accuses gays of paedophilia; and explains the significance of demons:
Demonic activity can be violent or latent as in the case of Mary Magdalene, a woman whose work as a prostitute had demonic link, until she met Jesus. For this reason, Social Work should include the study of the spiritual dimension of life and how it may be applied to promote well-being and social functioning.
Tuhaise’s views were noted in February by Chris Kincaid of Accuracy in Media:
“Many Ugandans are shocked at the reaction to this bill and the extent to which homosexual activists can intimidate everyone to silence,” Tuhaise said. “This is a bill written to control a problem that has largely gotten out of hand in western society and is now spreading tentacles worldwide. Perhaps Uganda has helped to highlight the danger that the homosexual movement poses to the world.”
Tuhaise is chairman of the board of Agape Community Transformation (ACT), a Christian organization dedicated to improving the spiritual, physical, economic and societal conditions of their communities. He is familiar with the bill because he works at the Parliamentary Research Service at the Parliament of Uganda, where the bill is being considered for passage.
…”I am a Ugandan and I’m writing to thank you for your bravery,” Tuhaise said in his message to AIM. “The articles you’ve written in support of the right of Ugandans to exercise self-determination on the issue of homosexuality have thrown fresh light on the American scene [and show] that not every American is scared of the loud-mouthed homosexual lobby.”
Tuhaise also has links with mainline churches; Agape Community Transformation has a website here, which describes ACT as
an organization of people centered in the Muko region of southwest Uganda and in Midland, Michigan USA dedicated to improving the spiritual, physical, economic and societal conditions of their communities.
On both sides of the Atlantic, we are community with multiple faiths and multiple backgrounds, working together.
…One of the early events of the recent visit to Midland was a presentation to the Presbytery of Lake Huron. Mr. Charles Tuhaise, Father Bruno Byomuhangi and Sue Waechter gave a brief summary of ACT and its efforts in Uganda to transform local communities. The result was an unanimous endorsement of ACT as a mission of the Lake Huron Presbytery. Additionally, ACT was held up as a model for all missions efforts in the Presbytery to consider when shaping their own plans. Of particular merit, according to the Presbytery members present, were the ecumenical nature of ACT both in Uganda and in Michigan as well as its grass-roots origin.
Of course, just because Tuhaise works for ACT in one capacity, it does not mean that ACT would therefore endorse his authoritarian anti-gay views – views which clearly go belong simply acquiescing to the consensus in a climate of hysteria. However, it’s clear that Tuhaise used his association with ACT in his correpondence with Kincaid.
Throckmorton notes that
The NASWU is affiliated with the International Federation of Social Workers. Mr Tuhaise told me that the IASW is aware of the document which has generated support and criticism.
Here’s a reminder of what the Uganda Anti-Homosexuality Bill means:
I looked at some of the religious figures promoting the Bill here.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Leave a comment »
