While we acknowledge this legal victory, we remain concerned about the broader climate of persecution and criminalization facing LGBTQ+ individuals and organizations in Uganda. This case serves as a stark reminder that advocating for LGBTQ+ rights in Uganda remains a high-risk endeavor. The continued targeting of our community through misinformation, fabricated charges, arbitrary arrests, and legal harassment is an attempt to silence us.

In Uganda and across the African continent, discriminatory laws continue to threaten the safety, dignity, and freedoms of women. The Anti-Homosexuality Act, the Sexual Offenses Bill, and the Marriage Bill are all part of a legal system designed to control, police, and exclude certain groups of women from enjoying their fundamental rights. These laws not only violate international human rights standards but also reinforce patriarchal systems that dictate who is worthy of protection and who is not.

Share your lived experiences, advocacy work, or creative expressions to highlight resilience and inspire action. Submissions should be emailed to [email protected] by March 15, 2025. Help us amplify the voices of those most affected and shape the path toward an AIDS-free future!

The ramifications of this directive extend beyond LGBTI+ organizations. Civil society as a whole, particularly human rights defenders, women’s rights groups, and organizations advocating for marginalized communities, could all be at risk. The directive’s broad language around “ideological projects” and “national interest” raises concerns about selective enforcement and potential retaliation against groups whose missions do not align with conservative agendas.

As we mourn the loss of Imaam Muhsin Hendricks, we must also reflect on the broader fight for LGBTQ+ rights, recognizing that legal reforms are only one part of the struggle. True safety and acceptance demand societal change, including within religious communities.

Here’s the harsh truth: banning abortion only bans safe abortion. People will always seek ways to end unwanted pregnancies, whether legal or not.
According to the World Health Organization, unsafe abortions are a leading cause of maternal deaths globally. When legal pathways are closed, individuals especially those in marginalized communities are forced to resort to unsafe, life-threatening procedures. This is not about reducing abortions; it’s about controlling bodies and denying reproductive autonomy.

For too long, LBQ women have been invisible in HIV/AIDS discussions. The narrative has been shaped by ignorance about our sexual practices, with many assuming that we are immune to HIV because we do not fit the stereotypical profile of those at risk. This dangerous misconception has led to our exclusion from important health interventions, education, and funding—because we are simply not seen as a priority. Our sexual health and rights are not taken into consideration, and we have been left out of policies and programs aimed at tackling HIV/AIDS.

As Women of Faith in Action, we commit to continuing our work to restore faith and confidence among marginalized women. Through advocacy, mentorship, and connection, we will champion their right to health, dignity, and leadership in every sphere of life. We believe that every woman has a higher purpose to bring revival and transformation to her community. Let us walk this path together, ensuring no one is left behind in our collective fight against HIV.

HIV/AIDS does not discriminate, but people and systems do. Across Africa, LGBTQ individuals face pervasive stigma, criminalization, and violence that impede access to essential healthcare services. Policies that exclude LGBTQ people from national health plans, alongside social attitudes that discourage open discussions about sexuality, create environments where HIV thrives unchecked. These injustices not only undermine individual well-being but also hinder global efforts to achieve an AIDS-free world.