Uganda has stepped up its repression of LGBTQ people and reportedly arrested 16 activists on charges related to gay sex. The sixteen men ages 22 to 35 were arrested this past Monday at the office of a sexual health organization – Let’s Walk Uganda, where they lived and worked. Related: Uganda police violently break up pride moments after Orlando tribute Police found lubricant, condoms, and HIV medication at the office and conducted anal examinations of the men, all of which is being used as evidence against them. The United Nations Committee Against Torture has condemned anal examinations as “cruel, inhuman, and degrading.” “Based on the medical examination report, it was established that the suspects were involved in sexual acts punishable under the penal code,” said a spokesperson for Kampala Police. Charges reportedly include carnal knowledge against the order of nature and trafficking in persons. The men have been released on bond. One person who works for Let’s Walk Uganda told LGBTQ Nation that the arrests were preceded by a mob attack on their office. The staff member said that a mob gathered in the evening around the office and they were chanting anti-gay slurs and threatening to kill the people who work for the organization. Let’s Walk Uganda – which has a rainbow in its logo – supports LGBTQ rights. The organization called police because they feared violence, and the staff members were told that they were being taken into protective custody. They were arrested instead. “Normally we will hear of maybe one arrest of someone from the community under these anti-gay laws in one month, but it is really unusual to see 16 people charged like this,” said Frank Mugisha of the organization Sexual Minorities Uganda. The staff member said that this isn’t the first time the office has come under attack and that the “property is also currently at high risk as community members have threatened to burn the shelter if we do not shift in time to a safer space.” The condoms, lubricant, and HIV medications may have been provided by the Ugandan government to the organization to be distributed as part of their work fighting HIV. The African Human Rights Media Network, though, says that the lubricant was water-based, which has been used as evidence of anal sex in Uganda. While Uganda’s Kill the Gays bill was overturned by a court on a procedural issue in 2014, homosexuality remains illegal in the country. It can be punished with up to life in prison..
Growing up Gay in my little town. I had to face the every day torment of being called girl-boy, this was basically because I talked and moved like girls, I enjoyed playing girly games, most of my friends were girls this is because we had so much in common including the big interest and crush on boys. This was just kept with me. I could not express it to anyone. This was partly because I knew that I was never going to be accepted if I come out, fear filled me everytime I thought about coming out or if one time my family or friends got to know. My friends had girlfriends and me I had this one boy in my mind but I was too damn scared to approach. I know this is a lived experience for so many others. We don't have an option rather than stay in the closet. Some fight and come out, others stay in there. Most cases being inside the closet causes depression, self hate, homophobia and sometimes suicidal thoughts. However, you are not alone. This inspires my activism and advocacy for LGBT rights spirit, no one deserves these invisible scars- Executive Director Let's Walk Uganda, Eric Ndawula.
Today Let's Walk Uganda joined as HRAPF filed a suit against the LC 3, Kyengera Town Council and the Deputy Officer in Charge of Kitalya Prison for acts of torture at the arrest and detention of the #COSF-20 during the time of the COVID -19 lockdown. HRAPF Executive Director, Dr. Adrian Jjuuko and the team addressed the media in a press conference on the brief facts of the case.