The Acclaimed Anti-Sodomy Activist...

The Acclaimed Anti-Sodomy Activist...

The above is the title given as introduction of the Pastor Martin Ssempa in the opening sentence of this article in the Red Pepper.  Wow!  What an accomplishment--to be praised enthusiastically and publicly for such activism.  

Speaking of activism, the hash tonight was set from the Acid Survivors' Foundation Uganda (ASFU) in Ntinda.  The ASFU is working to make Uganda an acid violence free country.  On 1st May, the Kampala Hash House Harriers organised a charity run for the ASFU, a red-dress run that began from the Mayor's Garden in Kampala city center.  Through this event, we were able to raise 2 million Uganda Shillings for the foundation.  Tonight's hash was hosted at ASFU's office, and a check was handed over to their director; some of the people who benefit from the ASFU's services were on hand for the event.  The work that this organisation does is touching and very admirable, but at the same time, it sad and sickening that such an organisation even needs to exist.   The Eye Magazine, an insider's guide to Uganda, recently ran an article on acid attacks (acid attacks are an extreme form of pre-mediated violence where sulphuric, nitric or hydrochloric acid is thrown on the face/body of a victim often resulting in death, blindness or acute disfigurement), the ASFU's work, and included a brief story of one of the survivors.

Another type of activism:  I stumbled across this article about a Ugandan activist today.  To read what this person has had to suffer and the odds he's been up against, you cannot help but feel a bit ashamed of society and wish him success.