Martin Ssempa
Encyclopedia
Martin Ssempa is an Ugandan pastor
and activist, founder of the Makerere Community Church. He rejects separation of church and state
, opposes the usage of condoms to prevent HIV
contraction and supports abstinence
plus fidelity education in the fight against sexual diseases. Ssempa claims to be leading a crusade to "kick sodomy
out of Uganda, endorsing proposed legislation in Uganda
that makes certain homosexual acts punishable by life in prison or even, in some cases, death."
, Uganda in 1968 to a single mother. He did not know who his father was. His mother was a teacher and he changed schools often as a child. Ssempa went to Kimanya Primary School in Masaka
and St. Peter's Primary School in Nsambya
. He then went to Rubaga Boys' Secondary School, before he completed his A level at Namilyango College
. During his teenage years he became a celebrity in East Africa
as the national break dancing champion. In 1988, Ssempa was admitted to Makerere University
.
During this time both Ssempa's brother and sister contracted AIDS
. Ssempa sat by their beds as they grew sicker. When they died in 1990, he blamed their promiscuity and feared that his lifestyle would also lead to his death via AIDS; thus, he decided to take action. Ssempa converted to Evangelical Christianity at the Wandegeya
Baptist
Youth Center. He traveled the country with a drama group that performed in schools in an effort to educate students about AIDS.
Ssempa graduated from Makarere with a Bachelor's degree
in Social Science, specializing in sociology
. He later received a Master of Arts degree
in counseling from Philadelphia Biblical University
.
that includes the death penalty for gay men and lesbians. Ssempa champions the bill by showing gay pornography
in his church and at conferences. U.S. President Barack Obama
has referred to the bill as "odious".
Of the bill, Ssempa has stated the following: "Some people have asked about the rationale of a death penalty mentioned in the Bill. There has been a lot of misinformation about this matter with headlines such as: “Gays face death penalty in Uganda”. These headlines are deliberately misleading. This penalty applies only in special cases termed 'aggravated homosexuality', which include, those convicted of unlawful homosexual rape of a child or handicapped invalid; This is a conviction of paedophilles! As highlighted in the problem of 'virgin rape cures HIV/AIDS' the offender can be a person living with HIV; a parent or guardian of the victim where there is abuse of authority! Finally is the use of drugs to stupefy the child so that they can rape them!. Clearly, the intent of this penalty is to protect weaker members of society from being victimized. Please note that for over 15 years Uganda has had the same penalty for persons who have carnal knowledge of minors heterosexually, mainly to protect against sexual abuse of girls by men. This time, this provision intends to provide equal protection of boys, among others."
In 2009, Ssempa was one of several pastors who accused a rival, Robert Kayanja
, of having sex with two young men. The accusations were dismissed by the police, however, the scandal stalled support for the sodomy bill.
, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief
(PEPFAR). Because of his involvement in light of the anti-gay bill he backs in his own country, PEPFAR has been labeled by gay and lesbian support groups as promoting homophobia.
In addition to his anti-gay agenda, SSempa has co-authored Uganda’s 2004 "Abstinence and Being Faithful" AIDS policy; this policy is a revision of the previous "ABC Program" -- Abstinence, Being Faithful, and Condom Usage. As well, he is a special representative of the Task Force on AIDS of Ugandan First Lady
Janet Museveni
. Ssempa has testified before the United States Congress on the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa.
In the past, Ssempa was associated with Rick Warren
and Saddleback Church's
HIV/AIDS Initiative. During this time period, he served as keynote speaker at Warren's Disturbing Voices AIDS conference; Warren has since distanced himself from Ssempa and completely severed ties with him in 2007.
, achieving "viral" status. The most infamous example is "EAT DA POO POO", a reference to Ssempa's insistence during his sermons and speeches that gay men regularly partake of each others' feces. The phrase is a direct quote of Ssempa. The video was produced by Bart Baker. Other parodies, usually variations of of EAT DA POO POO, feature MC Hammer
, Richard McGinty, Adolf Hitler
and others.
Pastor
The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
and activist, founder of the Makerere Community Church. He rejects separation of church and state
Separation of church and state
The concept of the separation of church and state refers to the distance in the relationship between organized religion and the nation state....
, opposes the usage of condoms to prevent HIV
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome , a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive...
contraction and supports abstinence
Abstinence
Abstinence is a voluntary restraint from indulging in bodily activities that are widely experienced as giving pleasure. Most frequently, the term refers to sexual abstinence, or abstention from alcohol or food. The practice can arise from religious prohibitions or practical...
plus fidelity education in the fight against sexual diseases. Ssempa claims to be leading a crusade to "kick sodomy
Sodomy
Sodomy is an anal or other copulation-like act, especially between male persons or between a man and animal, and one who practices sodomy is a "sodomite"...
out of Uganda, endorsing proposed legislation in Uganda
Uganda Anti-Homosexuality Bill
Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Bill is a legislative proposal that would broaden the criminalisation of same-sex relations by dividing homosexual behavior into two categories: "aggravated homosexuality", in which an offender would receive the death penalty, or "the offense of homosexuality" in which...
that makes certain homosexual acts punishable by life in prison or even, in some cases, death."
Early life and education
Martin Ssempa was born in Naluzaale, Masaka DistrictMasaka District
Masaka District is a district in Central Uganda. Its main town is Masaka, whose estimated population in 2011 was 74,100.-Location:The district is bordered by Bukomansimbi District to the northwest, Kalungu District to the north, Kalangala District to the east and south, Rakai District to the...
, Uganda in 1968 to a single mother. He did not know who his father was. His mother was a teacher and he changed schools often as a child. Ssempa went to Kimanya Primary School in Masaka
Masaka
Masaka is a town in Central Uganda, lying west of Lake Victoria. It is the chief town of Masaka District. Besides being the headquarters of Masaka District, the town is the regional headquarters and largest metropolitan area in Lyantonde District, Sembabule District, Lwengo District, Bukomansimbi...
and St. Peter's Primary School in Nsambya
Nsambya
-Location:Nsambya is located approximately south-southeast of the central business district of Kampala, along the road to Ggaba, a suburb of the city. The coordinates of Nsambya Hill are: 00 17 57N, 32 35 17E.-Landmarks:The landmarks on Nsambya Hill include:...
. He then went to Rubaga Boys' Secondary School, before he completed his A level at Namilyango College
Namilyango College
Namilyango College is a boys-only boarding middle and high school located in Mukono District in Central Uganda.-Location:The school is situated on a lush green campus on Namilyango Hill, approximately , by road, east of Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city. It's approximately , by road,...
. During his teenage years he became a celebrity in East Africa
East Africa
East Africa or Eastern Africa is the easterly region of the African continent, variably defined by geography or geopolitics. In the UN scheme of geographic regions, 19 territories constitute Eastern Africa:...
as the national break dancing champion. In 1988, Ssempa was admitted to Makerere University
Makerere University
Makerere University , Uganda's largest and second-oldest higher institution of learning, , was first established as a technical school in 1922. In 1963 it became the University of East Africa, offering courses leading to general degrees from the University of London...
.
During this time both Ssempa's brother and sister contracted AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
. Ssempa sat by their beds as they grew sicker. When they died in 1990, he blamed their promiscuity and feared that his lifestyle would also lead to his death via AIDS; thus, he decided to take action. Ssempa converted to Evangelical Christianity at the Wandegeya
Wandegeya
Wandegeya is a neighborhood within the city of Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest metropolitan area.The name is derived from the weaver birds, , which used to inhabit the area prior to the 1990s.-Location:...
Baptist
Baptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
Youth Center. He traveled the country with a drama group that performed in schools in an effort to educate students about AIDS.
Ssempa graduated from Makarere with a Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
in Social Science, specializing in sociology
Sociology
Sociology is the study of society. It is a social science—a term with which it is sometimes synonymous—which uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to develop a body of knowledge about human social activity...
. He later received a Master of Arts degree
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
in counseling from Philadelphia Biblical University
Philadelphia Biblical University
Philadelphia Biblical University, formerly called Philadelphia College of Bible, is a school located in Langhorne, Pennsylvania founded in 1913. Every undergraduate student graduates with a Bachelor's degree in Bible. In addition, students may work towards a dual degree, such as Business,...
.
Activism
Ssempa has advocated a cessation of tribal rivalries and hatred in Uganda. He is a strong advocate of the Uganda Anti-Homosexuality BillUganda Anti-Homosexuality Bill
Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Bill is a legislative proposal that would broaden the criminalisation of same-sex relations by dividing homosexual behavior into two categories: "aggravated homosexuality", in which an offender would receive the death penalty, or "the offense of homosexuality" in which...
that includes the death penalty for gay men and lesbians. Ssempa champions the bill by showing gay pornography
Gay pornography
Gay pornography is the representation of sexual intercourse between men with the primary goal of sexual arousal in its audience. There is also a tradition, and continuing considerable output, of lesbian pornography....
in his church and at conferences. U.S. President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
has referred to the bill as "odious".
Of the bill, Ssempa has stated the following: "Some people have asked about the rationale of a death penalty mentioned in the Bill. There has been a lot of misinformation about this matter with headlines such as: “Gays face death penalty in Uganda”. These headlines are deliberately misleading. This penalty applies only in special cases termed 'aggravated homosexuality', which include, those convicted of unlawful homosexual rape of a child or handicapped invalid; This is a conviction of paedophilles! As highlighted in the problem of 'virgin rape cures HIV/AIDS' the offender can be a person living with HIV; a parent or guardian of the victim where there is abuse of authority! Finally is the use of drugs to stupefy the child so that they can rape them!. Clearly, the intent of this penalty is to protect weaker members of society from being victimized. Please note that for over 15 years Uganda has had the same penalty for persons who have carnal knowledge of minors heterosexually, mainly to protect against sexual abuse of girls by men. This time, this provision intends to provide equal protection of boys, among others."
In 2009, Ssempa was one of several pastors who accused a rival, Robert Kayanja
Robert Kayanja
Robert Kayanja is the founder and Senior Pastor of the Miracle Centre Cathedral, a megachurch in Kampala, the capital of Uganda. He is sometimes cited as one of the most powerful people in the country.-History:...
, of having sex with two young men. The accusations were dismissed by the police, however, the scandal stalled support for the sodomy bill.
Influence
Ssempa's international influence has been exhibited through his work with a branch of the United States Agency for International DevelopmentUnited States Agency for International Development
The United States Agency for International Development is the United States federal government agency primarily responsible for administering civilian foreign aid. President John F. Kennedy created USAID in 1961 by executive order to implement development assistance programs in the areas...
, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief
President's Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief
The President's Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief was a commitment of $15 billion over five years from United States President George W. Bush to fight the global HIV/AIDS pandemic...
(PEPFAR). Because of his involvement in light of the anti-gay bill he backs in his own country, PEPFAR has been labeled by gay and lesbian support groups as promoting homophobia.
In addition to his anti-gay agenda, SSempa has co-authored Uganda’s 2004 "Abstinence and Being Faithful" AIDS policy; this policy is a revision of the previous "ABC Program" -- Abstinence, Being Faithful, and Condom Usage. As well, he is a special representative of the Task Force on AIDS of Ugandan First Lady
First Lady
First Lady or First Gentlemanis the unofficial title used in some countries for the spouse of an elected head of state.It is not normally used to refer to the spouse or partner of a prime minister; the husband or wife of the British Prime Minister is usually informally referred to as prime...
Janet Museveni
Janet Museveni
Janet Kataaha Museveni is the First Lady of Uganda since May 1986. She is married to Yoweri Museveni, with whom she has four children.. She is the current Minister for Karamoja Affairs in Uganda's Cabinet She was appointed to that position on 27 May 2011...
. Ssempa has testified before the United States Congress on the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa.
In the past, Ssempa was associated with Rick Warren
Rick Warren
Richard Duane "Rick" Warren is an American evangelical Christian minister and author. He is the founder and senior pastor of Saddleback Church, an evangelical megachurch located in Lake Forest, California, currently the eighth-largest church in the United States...
and Saddleback Church's
Saddleback Church
Saddleback Church is an evangelical Christian megachurch located in Lake Forest, California, situated in southern Orange County, affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. The church was founded in 1980 by pastor Rick Warren...
HIV/AIDS Initiative. During this time period, he served as keynote speaker at Warren's Disturbing Voices AIDS conference; Warren has since distanced himself from Ssempa and completely severed ties with him in 2007.
Parody videos
A variety of autotune remixes of a Ssempa's speeches against homosexuality have appeared on YouTubeYouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
, achieving "viral" status. The most infamous example is "EAT DA POO POO", a reference to Ssempa's insistence during his sermons and speeches that gay men regularly partake of each others' feces. The phrase is a direct quote of Ssempa. The video was produced by Bart Baker. Other parodies, usually variations of of EAT DA POO POO, feature MC Hammer
MC Hammer
Stanley Kirk Burrell , better known by his stage name MC Hammer , is an American rapper, entertainer, business entrepreneur, dancer and actor. He had his greatest commercial success and popularity from the late 1980s until the mid-1990s...
, Richard McGinty, Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician and the leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party , commonly referred to as the Nazi Party). He was Chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945, and head of state from 1934 to 1945...
and others.