Sexualizing politics: The anti-homosexuality bill, party-politics and the new political dispensation in Uganda

The internationally ‘famed’ Anti-homosexuality Bill (AHB) represents an interesting and peculiar case through which to understand and unpack national political events, evolution within the ruling party and emerging power dynamics in Uganda. Amongst several coexisting interpretative discourses that explain the recent emergence of sexuality within politics in the country, this article provides an examination of the Museveni administration, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and the political developments in relation to anti-gay feelings and the AHB. In fact, through a systematic and chronological analysis of events, discourses, public statements, newspaper articles and academic literature, the article reflects on the specific role that sexuality plays in the shaping activities of the NRM and its public representation and internal power dynamics. In doing so, the article identifies certain consistent themes and discursive frames concerning homosexuality that have emerged within the NRM and brings to light existing internal tensions as President Museveni attempts to hold onto power for yet another election in 2016.