Tanzania threat to name out gay people

The threat to publish the names of suspected homosexuals 
in Tanzania has been defended by the deputy health minister in a fierce row on Twitter.

Homosexual acts are illegal in the East African nation and
punishable by up to 30 years in jail.

Those who advertised homosexual activities online would 
also be targeted, the politician warned.

Tweeters accused him of homophobia and infringing on 
the right to freedom of expression online.

But Hamisi Kigwangalla argued that homosexuality did 
not scientifically exist and was a social construct.

In a tweet written in Swahili and English he said: "Have
 you ever come across a gay goat or bird? Homosexuality
 is not biological, it is unnatural."

The 42-year-old, who is a medical doctor by profession, argued that homosexuality could only be associated with
 an urban lifestyle.

He said that in the small town in central Tanzania where 
he came from, there were no homosexuals.

Tweeter: "Consider the fact that your move will only fuel 
more hatred, violence and increased mob lynchings"

Response: "Fulfils my duty as head administrator of the 
rules and policies of our country! I do not have any trouble with the 'community'" 

Tweeter : "Freedom of choice, freedom of expression and 
right to privacy are constitutional  justifiable rights. May 
God change your heart"

Response: "Freedoms/rights have boundaries and both
 are protected by law! The law in Tanzania has boundaries when it comes to sexuality"

Tweeter: "It seems politics has made you forget the basics 
of science. Homosexuality is partly a result of biogenetics"
Response: "There is no literature to suggest so. 

Homosexuality has no any scientific backing! I am a
 scientist and I read  a lot than you think"

Earlier this month, Dr Kigwangalla ordered three men he accused of being gay to report to the police for "spreading" 
homosexual activity through social media, in violation
 of the law.

It is not clear whether they have been charged.

Dr Kigwangalla's outspoken comments on Twitter 
follow the health ministry's move last week to suspend
 the  activities of 40 drop-in HIV/Aids clinics, accusing 
non-governmental organisations of using them to promote 
gay sex.

The media says most Tanzanians are strongly opposed
 to homosexuality -  and the gay community keeps to itself.

But homosexuality was named as one of the three
 major challenges facing the country in a parliamentary 
debate about Aids earlier this month.

MP Hussein Bashe said the other issues were drug use 
and poor education.