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Heart and Soul: The Right Thing: Follow God, not the people

The Right Thing: Follow God, not the people

01/12/2023 GMT

BBC World Service - Heart and Soul, The Right Thing: Follow God, not the people

Frank Mugisha, Uganda’s best-known LGBTQ+ activist, on faith, fear and personal freedom

Uganda’s most prominent LGBTQ+ campaigner, Frank Mugisha, tells his story of fear, faith, and standing up for what he believes in.

Brought up in a devout Catholic family in the suburbs of Kampala, Frank Mugisha knew that something was different about him even as a small boy. He was gay, although in those days he had no words for it. Growing up, he was subjected to conversion therapy, and his family took him to traditional healers to try and change his orientation. 

When all his prayers for God to “make him like his friends” went unanswered, Frank gradually came out to family and close friends. And he started an organisation to help other LGBTQ people. But the atmosphere in Uganda was hostile. When a newspaper published the names of 100 gay people, Frank’s friend and fellow activist, David Kato, was bludgeoned to death in 2011. 

In conversation with Mike Wooldridge, Frank tells his story and explains why, despite the enormous risk he is taking, he has to do the right thing and continue his campaign. 

Clip of Pope Francis ©Vatican Radio/Dicastery for Communication

Producer: Lore Windemuth
Editor: Kristine Pommert
A CTVC production for BBC World Service

(Photo: Frank Mugisha, head of the Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), a leading sexual rights advocacy group. Credit: Christophe Ketels/AFP)

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