The Uganda Key Population Consortium #UKPC2020 in partnership with Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) recently held a key stakeholders’ meeting to give a clear understanding of the #UKPC2020 road map as well as to recognize the consortium’s partners’ efforts in serving key populations within the country.

Ice Breakers Uganda (IBU) hosted its first community Sunday of the year on 9th January 2020; the event was dubbed #SundayFun. Despite the hot afternoon, several LGBTI+ community members flocked IBU’s premises for an opportunity to kick back, let loose and relax while they caught up with their peers.

Through the discussion, participants agreed that sisterhood is a natural, selfless and deliberate bond or connection between or among women to support one another relentlessly despite their differences.

LBQ Loose Network, a collective of Ugandan lesbian, bisexual and queer women held the first ever Feminist Leadership Institute in Kampala. The two-day workshop which was supported by CREA took place on Thursday 30th January and Friday 31st January 2020

2020 has however started off on a good note as the enthusiastic team has been awarded a scholarship through The International Gay and Lesbian Aquatics (IGLA) to participate in the upcoming tournament in Melbourne.

In commemoration of the nineth anniversary of the passing of David Kato, Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) held a memorial service on Sunday 26th January 2020 to celebrate the life of the renowned LGBT+ activist and other LGBT+ identifying individuals that have lost their lives to homophobic attacks.

#Herstory was made over this past weekend when Uganda’s collective of LBQ feminists, LBQ Loose Network with support from CREA convened in Kampala for a code of conduct validation workshop. The meeting was meant to have members draft and develop a charter of principles that will guide interactions, individual ethics and ways of work for LBQ women as a social movement.

“Great news- Uganda will host #ICASA2021 so Uganda should repeal law that makes gay men criminals so that LGBT people in #Africa can attend conference. #LGBT are most vulnerable and such laws drive them from life-saving #HIV services,” Winnie Byanyima, the newly appointed UNAIDS Chief shared through her official twitter account.

Several human rights organisations, both local and international, have since spoken up about up about this rather saddening and increasing prosecution of sexual and gender minorities in Uganda.  Human Rights Watch released a statement (as shared below) on 17th November, condemning not only the persecution and witch hunt of LGBT Ugandans but also the continued use of forced anal examinations.

Following the unwarranted arrest of 125 people from Ram bar on Sunday 10th November 2019, a total of 67 have gone on to be remanded to Luzira prison. Human Rights Awareness and Promotion forum (HRAPF) secured bond for some of those that had been arrested while 67 who appeared in court were charged with being public nuisances and sent on remand where they await to reappear in court.