With just 20 days to the long awaited fifth edition of Pride Uganda, the organizing committee has released the program for the five day event. Pride Uganda 2016 will be kicked off on 2nd August by a cocktail reception in honour of partners and sponsors that have made this year’s event possible.
The following four days will be activity and action packed with a lesbian and bisexual night on 3rd August, the Mr and Miss Pride pageant on 4th August, a community outreach on 5th August, the annual Pride parade on 6th August and the traditional wrap up party on 7th August.
All the venues for the listed activities will be announced a few days to the Pride week kick off, for security purposes. This year’s Pride which is themed Standing Together is paying special homage to the countries that have supported Ugandan LGBTI refugees in their pursuit for asylum especially Kenya that has been a home to many of our brothers and sisters over the last couple of years.
The Committee has also made security a priority to avoid and clashes with security agencies. “We have also involved the Uganda Police Force to avoid any loggerhead situations and they have assured us of their cooperation. Everyone can now be a part of Pride with the assurance that their safety is one of our top priorities” Shawn Mugisha , the security in charge on the Pride 2016 committee noted.
Below is the press statement as released by the Pride 2016 Committee
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
12th July 2016
Kampala: The Organising Committee Pride Uganda 2016 is excited and proud to unveil the dates for the fifth Pride in Uganda, 2nd – 7th August 2016. This year’s PRIDE will be a five day long event with a series of activities running under the theme “Standing Together! Ffena wamu! Sisi Pamoja! Twese Kumwe”.
We acknowledge the struggles that all Ugandan LGBT persons go through as a people and a community but foremost, we celebrate the fact that amidst all these struggles we have remained united as one.
This year, Pride Uganda acknowledges our brothers and sister across East Africa for the continuous support they have shown us over the years Pride has been in existence; this support means a lot to the Ugandan LGBTI movement!, It really means a great deal to us. The LGBT community in Kenya who have been kind enough to welcome our Ugandan brothers and sisters, who are in pursuit of asylum, when their world was falling apart. We appreciate your kindness and say “thank you” for your ubuntuism – the spirit of togetherness. To the LGBT community in Burundi, we stand with you amidst the uncertainties in your country, we are with you in spirit and solidarity.
The Pride organizing committee also takes this opportunity to thank all local and international sponsors that have quickly responded to this cause and provided all needed support to make the fifth edition of Uganda Pride a must happen.
PRIDE 2016 PROGRAM
There will be several activities during the five days and they are as follows
Sponsors and partners’ cocktail reception 2nd August
Lesbian and Bisexual night 3rd August
Mr. and Miss Pride 4th August
Community Outreach 5th August
Pride Parade 6th August
Closing Party 7th August
In regard to security, we urge the community to attend Pride 2016 without any fears; we assure you that there will be maximum security at all the events and venues of mentioned activities. We have also involved the Uganda Police Force to avoid any loggerhead situations and they have assured us of their cooperation.
We call upon all those that wish to attend any of the said events to kindly follow with the security protocols that will be put in place for Pride 2016 to be able to go on without incident. Most important to remember is that security begins with you.
The venues of all the listed activities remain anonymous (for now) for security reasons. However, we assure you the committee has been very thoughtful of accessibility, security and comfort when selecting the venues and are sure we will not disappoint.
All events are free of charge and all additional logistics will be catered for, save for the Sponsors and Partners’ cocktail reception. Transport to and from the Pride Parade will be provided; details will also be given at a later date.
Official communication on all the events and media guidelines will be passed out by the media team through the different official Pride Uganda social media platforms; please visit these to avoid misinformation and miscommunication.
We are looking forward to having you all be part of what is going to be a Pride like we’ve never had in Uganda. Come let us celebrate our successes and togetherness as a community, come let us celebrate our pride.
PRIDE ORGANIZING COMMITTEE 2016
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: +256 779 544 005
You can download a copy of the press statement here
PDF FORMAT: PRESS STATEMENT
