Lawrence Kaala and Jimmy Sserwadda, two Ugandan gentlemen got married last month in Sweden. They had been dating in Uganda until Sserwadda was outed then verbally and physically assaulted by government forces after which he sought asylum in Sweden. There he met up with his former lover Kaala who was in Sweden at the time, the two rekindled their relationship and the rest is history. They have been billed as the first Ugandan gay couple to be legally wed and have been making headlines worldwide. However Sserwadda’s mother has been verbally harassed by Ugandans who claim the two have brought “shame” on their people. Sserwadda also has a son in the university and he has been the victim of verbal assault from colleagues and other members of the community.
It is sad that some people in Uganda have decided to take their anger out on a fellow citizen’s elderly and son based on the choices he has made concerning his own life which have no bearing on the course of the lives of others.
I wish people would mind their business more.
Considering the aftermath of their wedding, specifically whether he should have kept it private to spare his family the harassment, Sserwadda said he had no regrets adding that “Love has no law, no boundaries, and no restrictions.”
I don’t know if I would like to have such media coverage in my wedding (should I ever choose to walk down the aisle) but the fact still remains that people shouldn’t have to tone down one of the happiest moments in their lives for any reason (so long as it doesn’t directly hurt anyone of course!)
It’s a tough world we live in, where you have to weigh your own freedom and happiness against the risk of your loved ones being persecuted for your decisions.
I hope that they love and hold each other in the worst of times with trust, faith and belief; I wish them the very best in their life together.
More on this on The Local and The Digital Journal
Purple Gloves 
theyoungplum
February 7, 2013 at 12:48 pm
Oh this sort of made me tear up first thing in the AM…that sort of makes me less cynical about love.
D.C.
February 7, 2013 at 12:51 pm
Glad you enjoyed it 😀
Clare Flourish
February 7, 2013 at 1:38 pm
That is beautiful. It is a shame he is likely to be killed if he goes home.
D.C.
February 7, 2013 at 1:44 pm
Very true. That is the harsh reality for many African gay men and women: if you come out publicly, you may never be able to return home again.
rainey
February 9, 2013 at 5:21 pm
It makes me wonder about this world we live in. There is so much hate and intolerance toward people who are not part of the so-called “social norm”. I lost some acquaintances ( I will not call them friends) when it became known that my daughter is gay. Others act like they do me a favor by tolerating her. Still others say they will pray for her.Really? Don’t bother. I cannot believe in a God who turns against one of his children because they are the way he made them.
This is a beautiful love story of a life together that was meant to be. I hope the pressures from the outside world doesn’t negatively affect their relationship.
~Rainey
D.C.
February 9, 2013 at 10:01 pm
It’s sad that such a momentous event has to be marred by such strife. Recently I deleted a couple of people off Facebook because of homophobic comments and what hurt even more than their words was that I couldn’t tell them why.
rainey
February 9, 2013 at 10:24 pm
That is sad. I’m trying to imagine what it must be like for you to have to hide such an essential part of yourself for fear of being hated, harmed, or even killed. I wish things were different for you. My daughter is very fortunate to live here and have the acceptance that she does.
D.C.
February 10, 2013 at 9:14 am
It is hard sometimes but things and perceptions are changing 🙂
Mike Martinez
February 10, 2013 at 5:35 pm
You’re right. Things are definitely changing.
D.C.
February 10, 2013 at 5:46 pm
and for the better 🙂
fundamentallyqueer
June 6, 2013 at 4:10 am
“It’s a tough world we live in, where you have to weigh your own freedom and happiness against the risk of your loved ones being persecuted for your decisions.” – Couldn’t have said it any better. P.S I am in LOVE with your blog.
D.C.
June 9, 2013 at 3:10 pm
Thank you thank you!