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David Bahati (born 6 August 1973) is a Ugandan politician and MP in the Ugandan parliament. He is the MP for the constituency of Ndorwa West and is a member of the National Resistance Movement, the ruling party of Uganda. He is Chief of the Scout Board of Uganda Bahati is becoming increasingly influential in Uganda, but has been portrayed to be as an outspoken homophobe and racist.

Bahati received a Bachelor of Commerce from Makerere University, Master of Business Administration degree from Cardiff University, an executive certificate in strategic management from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, an executive certificate in campaign leadership from the Leadership Institute, and a diploma in business English from Manchester Business School. Carl Cooper, former Bishop of St. Davids, said, "It was wonderful to discover that the local MP, Mr David Bahati, also had a Masters degree from the University of Wales and had spent time studying in Cardiff. Wales’ influence often stretches further than we realise."

Before entering politics, Bahati was head of finance and administration at Uganda's Population Secretariat.

Connection to The Family

According to investigative journalist and author Jeff Sharlet, Bahati is a core member of The Family, a powerful Christian evangelical political organization. Mr. Sharlet described Mr. Bahati as a "rising star" in the Fellowship who has attended the National Prayer Breakfast in the United States.

Introduction of Uganda Anti-Homosexuality Bill

Bahati came to international attention in October 2009 after introducing the Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Bill as a Private Member's Bill on 13 October proposing that a new offence be created in Uganda named "aggravated homosexuality" which would be punishable as a capital offence. The proposals included plans to introduce the death penalty for gay adults who had sex with those of the same sex under 18, with disabled people, or when the accused party is HIV-positive, or for those previously convicted of homosexuality-related offences. Bahati has expressed a desire to "kill every last gay person."

Sharlet suggested that the bill came about as a result of Bahati's membership in The Family. He revealed that Bahati reportedly first floated the idea of executing gays during The Family's Uganda National Prayer Breakfast in 2008. Bob Hunter, a member of The Family, gave an interview to NPR in December 2009 in which he acknowledged Bahati's connection but argued that no American associates support the bill. After news of the gay execution law broke, Bahati was disinvited from the 2010 U.S. National Prayer Breakfast.

Bahati was interviewed by Rachel Maddow in December 2010. Bahati asserted that $15 million had been invested in Uganda to "recruit" children "into being gay". When pressed by Maddow for "recruitment" tactics, he stated that children are enticed with money to "lure them into the practice of homosexuality". Bahati asserted that videos are being circulated in Uganda that state that "a man sleeping with a man is okay," which were being used for "recruitment". Maddow challenged this assertion, stating that "recruitment of children by gays is a common myth in any and all countries that have debated laws like that proposed in Uganda."

References

1. ^ "Parliament of Uganda". Retrieved 3 October 2011.
2. "Early Day Motion 874". UK Parliament. 22 February 2010. Retrieved 16 April 2010.
3. Chris Geidner, "U.S. Diplomat on Uganda's Bahati: "His homophobia ... is blinding and incurable.", in : Poliglot, February 17.2011 and in : The Guardian, London, February 17.2011, p.5; The World's Worst Place to Be Gay? on : BBC 3, Mon, 14 Mar 2011, 04:10 GMT; Brian Viner in : The Independent, London, Tuesday, 15 February 2011.
4. ^ "Finding The Root Of Anti-Gay Sentiment In Uganda". NPR. August 25, 2010.
5. Morrell, Anna (21 June 2007). "Bishop of St Davids appeals for help for people in Uganda". The Church in Wales. Retrieved 16 October 2009.
6. ^ Terry Gross (November 24, 2009). "The Secret Political Reach Of 'The Family'". Fresh Air from WHYY. 22m:02s duration: 30s. Well, the legislator that introduced the bill, a guy named David Bahati, is a member of The Family. He appears to be a core member of The Family. He works, he organizes their Ugandan National Prayer Breakfast and oversees an African sort of student leadership program designed to create future leaders for Africa, into which The Family has poured millions of dollars working through a very convoluted chain of linkages passing the money over to Uganda. Transcript available at: "The Secret Political Reach Of 'The Family'". NPR. Retrieved November 30, 2009.
7. ^ "'The Rachel Maddow Show' for Wednesday, December 9, 2009". MSNBC. December 9, 2009. Retrieved December 23, 2009.
8. Geen, Jessica (15 October 2009). "Ugandan MP proposes that gays should be executed". Pink News. Retrieved 16 October 2009.
9. "Uganda MP urges death for gay sex". BBC News. 15 October 2009. Retrieved 16 October 2009.
10. "A Different Perspective On 'The Family' And Uganda". NPR. December 22, 2009. Retrieved December 24, 2009.
11. On 'Rachel Maddow,' Uganda's David Bahati Says He Loves Gays, retrieved 10 December 2010

External links

• Information page for Bahati on Ugandan parliament website
• Ugandan media, politicians campaign against homosexuality. Carolyn Dunn, CBC News, last updated Nov. 26, 2010 (includes audio interview with David Bahati).

Template:Persondata

• 1973 births
• Living people
• Alumni of Cardiff University
• Alumni of the University of Manchester
• Makerere University alumni
• Members of the Parliament of Uganda
• National Resistance Movement politicians
• People from Kabale District
• Wharton School alumni