LGBT+ Ugandans - The African Mirror

Mar

2023

LGBT Ugandans face backlash as parliament launches schools investigation

DAYS after Uganda's parliament ordered an investigation last month into the alleged promotion of homosexuality in schools, a video appeared online identifying Kampala resident Eric Ndawula as gay. Ndawula, 26, said his landlord showed him the video, which was posted by someone whose name he did not recognise. The landlord then issued him a notice of eviction, saying the building could not accommodate a gay person. "I am now a threat to the children around because I am going to recruit them into homosexuality," Ndawula told Reuters ironically. His experience is one example of a wave of discrimination and violence…

Jan

2021

By The African Mirror

Camaraderie, hope and despair on Ugandan election day

LGBT+

ALICE McCOOL DESPITE a presidential campaign marked by homophobic rhetoric, LGBT+ Ugandans turned out to vote yesterday, with many hoping for change and finding unexpected camaraderie. In the capital Kampala, a ballot officer asked 30-year-old transgender lawyer Noah whether he was male or female when he handed over his identity documents, but fellow voters spoke out to support him and he was allowed to vote. "Voting always surprises me because there is always so much camaraderie. I feel like that there is a threshold of tolerance that Ugandans are capable of. We just need the right language," Noah told the…

Jan

2021

By The African Mirror

U.N. urges respect for LGBT+ Ugandans ahead of polls

LGBT+

NITA BHALLA THE United Nations has called for LGBT+ Ugandans to be treated with respect and dignity, following homophobic remarks by some politicians, including the president, ahead of today’s polls. Sexual minorities face widespread persecution in Uganda, where gay sex is punishable by life imprisonment, and LGBT+ rights groups fear politicians exploiting anti-gay sentiment to win votes could stoke fresh attacks on the community. Winnie Byanyima, head of UNAIDS, the U.N. agency for HIV and AIDS, said the vilification of LGBT+ people could worsen violence and discrimination and reduce their access to HIV/AIDS treatment. "Using offensive language that describes LGBT…

Jan

2021

By The African Mirror

Anti-gay rhetoric ramps up fear among LGBT+ Ugandans ahead of polls

LGBT+

HOMOPHOBIC comments by Uganda's president and other politicians are making some LGBT+ Ugandans too scared to vote in elections scheduled for Jan. 14, gay rights campaigners said on Tuesday. LGBT+ people face widespread persecution in the east African nation, where gay sex is punishable by life imprisonment, and gay activists fear politicians exploiting homophobic sentiment to win votes could stoke fresh attacks on the community. "We have seen increased harassment against LGBT persons and those who speak up for gay rights," said Frank Mugisha, who has received dozens of threats over the years as head of the leading LGBT+ rights group Sexual Minorities…