On 26th January 2011, Uganda’s LGBT community woke up to news that activist David Kato had been brutally murdered at his home in Mukono; this was news that would go on to reshape the journey of the country’s LGBT movement.

In his key note speech, the Programmes Director of Ice Breakers Uganda Dennis Wamala noted the continued discrimination and stigmatization of HIV positive persons within the LGBT community. He urged the community to be more embracing and supportive of people living with HIV as they (the community) know first hand what it is like to be discriminated because of something they have no control over.

WONETHA strives to improve socioeconomic opportunities for sex workers and to empower them to organize and advocate for equitable access to health care, legal and social protection services. Established in 2008 to address rampant discrimination in health care systems, social stigma and as well as to advocate against punitive and restrictive legislation and policies that encourage violations of sex workers’ rights, the organization has since grown into a registered membership of over 800 members and thousands of beneficiaries.

During the 16 days, we will not only raise awareness about the prevalence and devastating impact of gender violence, but also celebrate victories gained by the Women’s Rights Movement, challenge policy and practice that allow women to be targeted for acts of violence and demand that violence against women be recognized as an abuse of human rights.

Four years down the road, their vision has come to life with the establishment expanding to a bigger space and more client numbers registered. The new clinic space has a fully stocked dispensary, laboratory, consultation and nurses’ rooms. They have also increased the number of examination/resting beds to allow for more clients to access services.

According to the SMUG Executive Director, Dr Frank Mugisha, the case against Scott Lively is not about what he said but rather what he did. He explains that on top of Lively’s actions which included leaving the US to export hatred to Uganda, the preacher’s involvement in the hate propaganda against Uganda’s sexual and gender minorities resulted into grave implications like media outings and further discrimination

After sharing our fateful story with many of our friends and partners within and outside Uganda, our joy was restored when the International HIV/AIDS Alliance listened to our cries and helped to relocate us. A big thank you to SMUG, Hrapf, Spectrum, ERWEO, Kuchu Times and Chapter Four, who were really there for RUMI in terms of encouraging us and providing referrals. Our new address is;Plot 13, Bugwe road, Maluku, MBALE district.

It is useless to have a Million graduates that cannot prove their worth. In fact, a new Makerere should introduce practical skill lessons even for Arts students, not only to avail the learners with chance to develop alternative skills, but to keep them busy. Besides that, students should spend up to 40% of their learning time in the field undertaking research projects, or doing some industrial training to help them appreciate their intended professions more.