Uganda’s LGBTIQ community has reason to jubilate amidst the COVID-19 hardships as an order for immediate release has this afternoon been issued for the #COSF19. This comes after the DPP withdrew all charges against the nineteen youth

To commemorate eight years since David Kato Kisule was brutally murdered, Freedom and Roam Uganda (FARUG) and Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) conducted a one-day breast and cervical cancer screening drive dubbed, “Strengthening Health Services for LBQ Women in Uganda”.

This comes at a time when many LGBTQ identifying Ugandans had abandoned their different faith doctrines due to the judgment and segregation they were facing based on their sexual orientation or/and gender identity.

“You have seen them over the news and social media platforms. They have been arrested, paraded, undressed and publicly shamed. Many police officers use narcotics, drugs and excessive alcohol that influence them to force sex workers into unprotected sex. Such risks escalate the prevalence of HIV within our sex work community.”

“Many organizations have projects but they do not economically empower key populations. It is good to have projects that will enable LGBT youth to be financially independent and improve their standards of living.”

It should be noted that advocating for sex workers’ rights is a reflection of human rights for all and it’s our country’s mandate to protect its citizens regardless of their different identities and affiliations.   

This year’s campaign themed “Stand Up for Human Rights” looks to encourage every global citizen to stand up, promote and defend human rights not only for themselves but for all humanity including gender and sexual minorities.

“… This raised the question ‘How do we protect this community member who does not not belong to any organization so as to protect the general LGBT community?’

All activities were under the global theme “Know Your Status” which aimed at raising awareness on the relevance of getting tested and knowing one’s own HIV status.