Following the unwarranted arrest of 125 people from Ram bar on Sunday 10th November 2019, a total of 67 have gone on to be remanded to Luzira prison. Human Rights Awareness and Promotion forum (HRAPF) secured bond for some of those that had been arrested while 67 who appeared in court were charged with being public nuisances and sent on remand where they await to reappear in court.

With several bars in and around Kampala selling Shisha, one can only wonder why Ram a bar that was most certainly going to be filled to capacity with LGBT+ identifying individuals was singled out for this operation. In the past, when such operations have been carried out, a number of bars within the city are raided but last night’s operation clearly targeted one venue.

Civil society groups in Uganda called on the Government and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to publicly condemn the brutal attacks against LGBT Ugandans, which have been escalating in number, following the most recent case where 16 LGBT Ugandans were threatened by a mob in Kyengera, a neighborhood in Kampala, on October 21.

With the recent revelation that the government is planning to re-introduce the anti-homosexuality bill, attacks against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer persons in Uganda have escalated in both number and gravity.  In the past week, there have been reports of attacks against LBGT+ identifying persons from different parts of the country.

We have learnt from past events not to overlook public statements about this matter as they are indicative of what is being planned but are also cognizant of the fact that the statements cited above were made in the context of a five-year anniversary since the annulment of the Anti-homosexuality Act.

As if the societal witch-hunt is not enough, Parliament of Uganda yesterday committed to re-tabling the Anti-Homosexuality Bill by 28th October 2019, at the latest. This new development was confirmed by the State Minister of Ethics and Integrity Fr. Simon Lokodo in an interview with Thomas Reuters. The new bill which calls for the death penalty of persons found guilty of engaging in same sex relations is expected to be passed before the year is out.

The drop in center offers services ranging from STI screening and treatment, HIV testing and Counselling, Oral Quick Tests, Condom use demonstration and distribution as well as distribution of lubricants, first aid, enhanced effective referral, linkage and retention into HIV treatment, prevention, care and support services, PrEP, psychosocial support services, referrals to proctology, HIV literacy treatment awareness, adherence information and resources on hormones and hormone therapy.

What is happening now is a repeat of 2014 after the passing of the AHB into law- which saw an increase in the number of attacks and violations against LGBT identifying individuals, loss of jobs, evictions from homes as well as an influx in the number of Ugandan LGBT persons that fled to Kenya in search of a safe haven.

The 30-minute docudrama highlights the daily realities of male sex workers in Uganda as they’re confronted by the present repressive laws, their plight as they carry on their trade and hopes for a future that they can only dream of for now.

“YRF has contributed so much to the visibility of male sex workers in Uganda as it was widely perceived back then that only women were involved in the trade. We appreciate YRF for their unwavering perseverance in our journey and congratulate them on this big achievement.