Journalist Simon Kaggwa Njala recently opened up about a pivotal moment that reverberated throughout African media: his now-infamous question, “Why are you gay?” posed during a live discussion surrounding LGBTQ+ rights.
In a revealing podcast discussion, Njala shared the backdrop of this notable inquiry. At that juncture, Uganda was deeply embroiled in a heated national debate regarding the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals, which had sparked vigorous discussions across various media outlets and forums.
After a vigorous exchange, I welcomed a guest who had been vocal about LGBTQ+ matters. To my surprise, she arrived the next day as a man.
Before the live show, Njala had done his homework, immersing himself in Ugandan laws regarding LGBTQ+ rights, all in hopes of nurturing an informed and constructive discussion. However, as the cameras rolled, events took a sharp and unexpected turn.
Initially, my goal was to give activists a platform to express their views. Unfortunately, I didn’t ask that pivotal question, and instead, the conversation grew confrontational, particularly with Pastor Martin Ssempa joining in.
The atmosphere quickly shifted to one of conflict, with Njala inadvertently stepping into the role of a mediator amid the intense clash between his guest and Pastor Ssempa.
Years later, in reflecting on that fateful interview, Njala articulated regret regarding his handling of the situation.
After revisiting that episode, I recognized I was too critical of myself at the time. I approached it with naivety, and the questions I posed seemed utterly ridiculous. Honestly, asking ‘Why are you gay?’ was quite nonsensical, wasn’t it?
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