Kampala — The Church of Uganda has asked Ugandans to condemn homosexuality and lesbianism, which are slowly taking root in the country, reports Herbert Ssempogo.

The COU provincial communications secretary, the Rev. Dr. Jackson Turyagenda, said in an interview on Tuesday that the practices were not part of Uganda's culture.

"The society would be liberated from these evils if we had a wide campaign from the community against them," Turyagenda said.

He was reacting to reports of pledge of support from the gay community in USA to their Ugandan Anglican counterparts.

Integrity USA, an American organisation of homosexuals, promised to assist Integrity Uganda (IU), a local gay chapter, "to expand to other parts of the country where interest has been shown."

Integrity USA also promised to give assistance to IU to organise a "Pan-African conference of lesbian and gay Anglicans prior to the Lambeth conference in 2008."

Turyagenda said homosexuality and lesbianism were foreign practices, which could not be accommodated in all Anglican circles.

"It would be a case for the Government if they were just ordinary Ugandan citizens. We can't keep quiet if it is our own faith," Turyagenda said.

He said it was the duty of the Church to preach to the people and rid them of sin.

The Anglican Church, the world over, has lately been embroiled in wrangles since New Hampshire Diocese in the USA elected the Rev. Gene Robinson who is gay.