A Ugandan court awarded UGX 150 million in damages to 20 men who were arrested, tortured, and publicly humiliated by officials in 2020 over accusations of homosexuality during COVID-19 lockdown enforcement. The court deemed the actions unconstitutional and ordered compensation for the violations. Activist Henry Mukiibi hailed the ruling as a significant milestone for the […]

Despite being left out of the official framework, marginalized groups of women have refused to remain invisible. Over the past 30 years, sexual and gender minorities and women with disabilities have built vibrant movements, achieved notable victories, and laid the groundwork for a more inclusive feminist agenda.
Advocacy efforts across Africa have made significant strides in advancing LGBTQ+ rights, successfully challenging oppressive laws to decriminalize same-sex relationships in some countries and gaining greater recognition of gender diversity in others. Activists have also pushed for the inclusion of LGBTQ+ issues in sexual and reproductive health agendas, ensuring improved access to HIV prevention, mental health services, and other essential healthcare. Additionally, platforms like Kuchu Times have played a pivotal role in amplifying LGBTQ+ narratives, fostering representation, and challenging harmful stereotypes, contributing to a cultural shift toward acceptance and understanding.

Ruth Muganzi, the programs director for Kuchu Times, said:
“The right to use our voices and our stories, to speak out and defend our lives, is a right worth fighting for. To be silent will never be an option. “

But as we grieve, we also stand firm in our commitment to fight for justice. Kuchu Times Media Group remains steadfast in its mission to amplify the voices of LGBTQ+ persons in Uganda, document their lived realities, and challenge narratives that seek to dehumanize them. We will not be silenced in the face of oppression. We call on allies, policymakers, and human rights defenders worldwide to act. The lives of transgender Ugandans—and indeed all LGBTQ+ persons—must be protected. Laws that incite violence and discrimination must be repealed, and justice must be pursued for those who have been harmed.

A spokesperson for Open for Business said: “The evidence is now clear: the Anti-Homosexuality Act makes it harder for Uganda to foster a dynamic and diversified modern economy that attracts investors, tourists and skilled workers.
“Furthermore, not only has Uganda already made significant losses due to the introduction of this law, but these can only be expected to exacerbated further should the AHA remain in law without any amends or steps toward repeal. These are the steps Ugandan policy-makers should be considering in order to future proof their economy while creating a more liveable country for all citizens, not just those who are LGBTQ+.”

One of the most insidious challenges bisexual people face is what we call “double stigma.” On one hand, they often encounter prejudice from the heterosexual community, where they are dismissed as “indecisive” or “just experimenting.” On the other hand, they may face exclusion from the homosexual community, where they are sometimes viewed as not “gay enough” or accused of having “straight privilege.” This double-edged discrimination, known as biphobia, leads to feelings of isolation and marginalization that can take a toll on mental health and social inclusion.

This complacency has, in turn, fueled public confusion and anger about homosexuality. The government’s selective enforcement of the law—targeting LGBTQ+ individuals while ignoring the abuse they suffered at the hands of law enforcement—has only deepened the mistrust and fear surrounding this issue. When we say we are fighting for the repeal of the Anti Homosexuality Act, we are fighting for the decriminalization of consensual relations between persons of the same sex.