Ugandan LGBTQ+ community find solace in London

dailysecrets 27 Jan 2024

By James Kabengwa

LONDON. The Ugandan LBGTQ+ community in the United Kingdom are finally finding solace in London after witch-hunt back home and are now freely expressing their true selves as they brace for this year’s homosexuality events.

At the peak of last year, dozens of homosexuals as well as sympathisers joined hundreds of anti-homophobia activists in the Red Run 2023 edition that was organized to stem out stigma among HIV victims at the Victoria Park in London.

Ugandan members of AEF during the RED RUN in November 2023 in London

Hunted back in Uganda, in London, a group of Ugandan LGBTQ+ community will this year gather at various events to celebrate a milestone in their community’s journey towards inclusivity. Despite the challenges they face in their own country, they will proudly unfurl rainbow flags and adorn themselves in colorful attire, symbolizing their support for the LGBTQ community.

The United Kingdom being an open and true democracy, has allowed not only Ugandans but other homosexuals from global nations to meet through different rights groups including OPAL, Rainbow Sisters, the African Equality Foundation among others. Over the past years, they have had laughter as music fill the air sometimes dancing traditional Ugandan tunes intertwined with contemporary beats as one free family.

In the midst of this year’s festivities, like in the past, they will share stories of resilience and acceptance, highlighting the importance of love and understanding in overcoming prejudice.

They will through their celebration aim to bridge cultural divides and foster a sense of unity within their diaspora community- their message echoing through the streets of London mixing with other LGBTQ supporters from global destinations preaching love is love and that everyone deserves to be celebrated for who they are.

According to PinkUk, there will be 122 prides or LGBTQ+ events in UK for 2024 and a total of 578 LGBTQ+ prides and gay events in 42 countries for 2024 globally.

See in the link the events as listed by the Pride Shop

The LGBTQ+ community in Uganda faces numerous challenges, including legal discrimination, social stigma, violence, and lack of access to healthcare and support services. Uganda’s laws criminalize homosexuality, which contributes to a hostile environment where LGBTQ+ individuals are often targeted for harassment, assault, and even murder.

Additionally, societal attitudes and cultural norms perpetuate discrimination and exclusion, making it difficult for LGBTQ+ individuals to live openly and access resources and support.

I personally as I write this, the Uganda police in September 2023 issued criminal summons inviting me for an interview over an article I wrote criticising the Parliament of Uganda and regime of Uganda’s regime dictator Yoweri Kaguta Museveni Tibuhaburwa for passing the Anti Homosexuality law 2023. In the UK, I am happy to freely express my support for the homosexual community with love. Love is inborn and must not be a decision governments should take on behalf of others.

A relentless Parliament again introduced the Anti-Homosexuality Act of 2023. It violates multiple fundamental rights guaranteed under Uganda’s constitution and breaks commitments made by the government as a signatory to a number of international human rights agreements. The law criminalizes same sex conduct, including potentially the death penalty for those convicted of “aggravated homosexuality”. The law is now being fought in the constitutional court in Uganda but already various powers have slapped travel and economic ban on the country.