As fans energetically discuss the aftermath of the Chengdu Worldcon, some are thinking about the risks of future Worldcons in countries with a bad record on free speech and human rights. There are some issues with the UK, which is hosting this year’s convention, but it’s too late to change it. Let’s look ahead to the bid for Kampala in 2028.

There’s never been a Worldcon in Africa, and that helps to make the idea attractive. The bid website talks about Uganda’s literary history:

Kampala hosted the first international gathering of writers and critics of African literature in Africa “the First African Writers Conference” held at Makerere University in 1962 attracting participants such as Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka, and Langston Hughes. Although held right as many African nations were breaking free from colonialism, non-Africans like Hughes were welcomed as “observers” This conference cemented the concept of an “African” writer.

But we have to look at what it would be like to hold a fan-run convention there. Would it be subject to the same pressures that affected the convention in China? Would it be safe for all fans to attend? Unfortunately, Uganda isn’t friendly to human freedom.

Human Rights Watch finds a lot to criticize about Uganda. A writer was arrested and beaten in 2021 for criticizing the president. Staff members of an online television station were arrested and imprisoned for similar reasons. Distributing “information prohibited under the laws of Uganda” can get you five years in jail. Using a pseudonym for anonymity is illegal.

It’s even worse for gays. Homosexual sex, under a law passed in May 2023, is punishable by life in prison in some cases. Transmitting a disease like AIDS can get the death penalty, making it dangerous for people to admit that they might have unintentionally exposed a partner.

Fans are used to expressing their opinions freely and being open about their sexual preferences. Kampala might not be a healthy place for them.

The code of conduct on the website raises its own concerns, though they aren’t on the same level. Even the strongest penalty, being banned from the con, isn’t as bad as being thrown in jail. Still, it has some problematic points:

• “Comments intended to belittle, offend, or cause discomfort” are prohibited. That’s broad and vague. Challenging widely held assumptions could be seen as doing all three. Some of my songs belittle people who deserve belittling and raise difficult issues that can make people uncomfortable.
• “Deliberate misgendering/dead naming of people or continued; mis gendering/deadnaming.” Trans people had a life before they changed their names and/or bodies. Some (I could name several filkers) are still known for work they did under their “deadname.” The rule seems to say we should treat their past as a secret shame.
• “Wearing costumes t-shirts, badges or other items that are offensive.” Offensive to whom? Who decides, and on what basis? I have a T-shirt with Darth Vader saying, “Not happy with the Empire? Move to another galaxy!” That will certainly offend some people. If I went (not that I’m planning to), I’d leave it behind for safety.
• “Microaggressions.” Any word choice, any tone of voice, any body language might be a “microaggression” to someone, and the term usually includes unintended offense. Better stay in your hotel room the whole time to be safe.

Authoritarian government, illiberal convention rules. There isn’t much to hope for.