the Humanist view

“Pornography detection machine arrives September – Lokodo,” It is reported in New Vision reported on 2nd August 2016.

Reportedly, Uganda government has invested in a pornography detection machine, priced in millions of shillings and it is to be imported through a South Korean Company.

Apparently, the pornography detection machine will aid government in implementing the Anti-Pornography Law.

If you are like me who wondered what the pornography machine will do, here is the answer.

“It will detect porn pictures, videos or graphics taken or saved on one’s phone, computer or camera in any form.” Hon. Fr. Simon Lokodo, Minister of State of the Directorate of Ethics and Integrity in the Officer of the President is quoted has having said.

The anti-pornography committee has reportedly already been appointed. I cannot help but wonder about the expertise of the members of this committee, which determined their qualification to be appointed on the committee.

Reportedly, one of the anti-poronography committee members is Pastor Martin Ssempa. You know, the same one who in 2012 was convicted for tarnishing Pastor Kayanja’s reputation by falsely accusing the latter of engaging in homosexuality with members of his congregation.

I can only imagine the proceedings of the pornography committee – reviewing all that data which the pornography machine will have detected.

Yes, if you are wondering what the data that the pornography machine detects shall be used for, other than the viewing pleasure of the pornography committee, there is an answer.

Apparently, it is to be used to prove guilt of those who violate the anti-pornography law, which stipulates as follows (source The New Vision):

A person shall not produce, traffic in, publish, broadcast, procure, import, export, sell or abet any form of pornography. A person who produces or participates in production of, traffics in, publishes, broadcasts, procures, import, exports or in any way abets pornography commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding five hundred currency points or imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or both.

I wonder about the businesses that will be affected by this ‘participants-need-institutionalized-supervision’ situation.

I find it ironic that the pornography machine, in essence, violates the very law for which it is being procured to enforce. As in the machine will be directing the committee and all the technical experts who will man it towards pornographic material.

Essentially, the machine will abet the viewing of pornographic material by the committee. And at their discretion the committee will publish the ones that they liked the most, as evidence in a court of law, kind of thing.

I admit stymied …