The book to be launched is a response to the effects of COVID-19 and the resultant access (or lack thereof) to justice faced by LGBTI individuals throughout the country. It is therefore geared towards empowering LGBT paralegals across the nation to respond to the human rights violations that may arise during this lockdown.
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Unfortunately, 23 people living at a shelter serving lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in Kyengera, a Kampala suburb, were arrested by Uganda Police force Officers and Local leaders in the disguise of effecting President Museveni’s directives of lockdown.
As the world continues to become lonelier than it already was due to the COVID-19 pandemic, LGBTIQ persons are taking even harder hits with the isolation. Tragedy befell the LGBTIQ community yesterday when 27-year-old Aneste Mweru from Uganda took his own life in Westlands in the Kenyan Capital of Nairobi.
“In times of crisis, emergency powers and agility are crucial; however, they cannot come at the cost of the rights of the most vulnerable,” said Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS. “Checks and balances that are the cornerstone of the rule of law must be exercised in order to prevent misuse of such powers.
Following the remand on 31st March 2020 of some of the 23 persons arrested during the raid on the Children of the Sun Foundation (COSF) Shelter in Kyengera, Wakiso district, HRAPF was able obtain further information and make yet unsuccessful attempts to get them released on bail.
On the morning of 29th March, a shelter for LGBT youth operated by Children of the Sun Foundations (COSF) was raided by residents, and security forces. 23 people found at the shelter were arrested. Two of the 23 were beaten upon arrest, and all the rest were subjected to taunts from the community due to their perceived sexual orientation.
On 24th March 2020, The Uganda Gazelle carried the new the public health rules in regards to the control of The COVID – 19 pandemic.
Kakande sees a bright future for male sex workers in Uganda and beyond despite challenges such as “…stigma, slut-shaming”. There is double stigmatisation here: one by the environment and one by sex workers themselves.
The Chairpersons of the 10 UN Treaty Bodies* on Tuesday urged global leaders to ensure that human rights are respected in government measures to tackle the public health threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
There’s a degree of idealism in what I have written above — but I’m comfortable with that. Idealism is only naïve when it lacks imagination, pathways to action or commitment. So many of us have that in spades.