Kuchu Times Media Group-KTMG has today launched a reporting network of LGBTIQ persons to streamline community information on what advocacy methods as a collective we are taking on as well personal safety information to keep our community in its entirety safe and informed.

Speaking during the launch Kasha Jaqueline Nabagesera the Executive Director KTMG said, “We appreciate all the work you do and as KTMG we will do all we can to make sure that you can work in a safe environment to document and archive our stories. We need people to know that we exist, when we openly talk about ourselves people will stop looking at us as social pariahs. We need to show the world that we are normal just like them this is why I emphasize that, you don’t have to share only sad stories, I’m sure there are happy stories too. It is important for us to document our stories so that those that come after us can see what life was like. The conversation has started on a good high and I look forward to seeing where this will go.”

According to Ruth the KTMG Programs Director the project, is intended to expand KTMG platform reach, improve usability and resource richness. The more target community we can access, the better the data resources produced by KTMG platform and available to advocates of human rights.

Sean Awali Shibolo from Triumph Mbale said, “There could not have been a better time for us to have this conversation. Many things have been happening to LGBTIQ at grass root level and we haven’t been able to document them, with this meeting the process can now begin.”

Barbara from Lira emphasized the need for financial support in terms of transport, refreshments while at the field and a little commission to encourage the participants to quickly implement their assignments. While Phiona from Masaka requested for more capacity building in terms of more media trainings. She also requested that we inform the community about what KTMG does as a platform which will increase platform reach.

The first phase of this groundbreaking project being supported by Canada Fund for Local Initiatives will see LGBTIQ community members from all parts of the country sending in stories, in form of video and audio clips, articles and photos of their lived realities weekly to be published on KTMG platforms.