A recurring issue at CHOGM has been the homophobic comments by some of its members. Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe grabbed the world's attention on this issue when he described gay men and lesbians as “pigs and dogs” at the CHOGM in Durban in November 1999. Mugabe has dismissed any criticism of his views as the “language of homosexuals”.

Mugabe's comments were followed by an outburst from Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni at the close of the Durban meeting. Museveni told journalists that while there were “few homosexuals” in “his country”, they were coming into the “open because of the example of sexual disorientation set in Europe and the United States”. Museveni declared that “homosexuals are the ones provoking us. They are upsetting society. We shall not allow these people to challenge society”. Homosexuality remains illegal in Uganda with Museveni recently ordering the arrest and prosecution of those who organised a queer wedding in Wandegeya.

The Ugandan minister for state security, Muluri Mukasa, told the media gathered for CHOGM that homosexuals in the West were like “beasts”.

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