For Immediate Release.
17th May 2022.
Today Ugandan joins the rest of the world to observe the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia in a bid to raise awareness about the violations against LGBTQ people worldwide. All through the years we have faced all sorts of abuse and that is why it is important that on such important days we speak louder against the abuse we face as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer -LGBTQ Ugandans.
Celebrated every 17th May the theme of this day is ‘Our bodies, Our Lives, Our Rights’, a reminder that everyone must have the right to make informed decisions about their bodies and their lives.
When COVID-19 came Uganda became a hotbed of abuse against LGBTQ people in Uganda, many faced arbitrary arrests for seeking shelter after being chased from their homes, others survived intimate partner violence, job loss, lack of medical attention due to government SOPs, mental health issues among other difficulties.
Speaking of mental health May is mental health awareness month and we encourage Ugandan LGBTQ people to be mindful of each other and to join us in the struggle to advocate for adequate mental health care whenever it’s needed.
Our human right to communicate as queer Ugandans has been abused several times not only by the government via taxes and increased data and airtime charges but also by our parent’s and loved ones who abuse our right to private communication.
As we continue to tide over the pandemic however, all is not lost. LGBTQ Ugandans banded together and supported each other. Organisations provided food relief, medical relief, mental health care, legal help to those that needed it, housing to those that needed it among others. This for us as Kuchu Times Media Group-KTMG laud as the spirit of Ubuntu and we hope it never stops.
Call to action:
1.We urge Uganda Police to end arbitrary arrests against LGBTQ Ugandans.
2.We urge the government to look into the communications sector and provide more affordable, safer communication opportunities.
3.We urge parents to allow their of age consenting children the right to privacy in communication.
4.We urge mental health service providers to be more accepting of LGBTQ Ugandans and offer them adequate services.
5.For our lovely LGBTQ community continue to love one another.
Alluta Continua.
#ENDS
