Laid to rest today, I want to pay tribute to Pope Francis, a man who has left an indelible mark on the fight for equality. As a supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, I am deeply grateful for Pope Francis’s unwavering commitment to love, acceptance, and inclusivity.

Pope Francis’ words and actions have been a beacon of hope for many in the LGBTQ+ community. When asked about gay priests, he said in July 2013, “If they accept the Lord and have goodwill, who am I to judge them?” These words resonated deeply with his like-minds, reflecting a recognition that every individual deserves dignity and respect, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

The Pope’s commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion was evident in his actions. In June 2015, he joined 90 prison inmates for lunch, including 10 from the ward housing those who are gay, transgender, or have HIV/AIDS. This act of kindness and compassion demonstrated his willingness to reach out to marginalized communities and show love and acceptance.

Pope Francis’ words offered a powerful message of support and acceptance to LGBTQ+ individuals and their families. “We have to find a way to help that father or that mother to stand by their [LGBTQ+] son or daughter,” he said in December 2014. These words testify to his understanding of the importance of family support and acceptance in the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals.

As someone who has been persecuted in Uganda for speaking out for the LGBTQ+ community, I am deeply grateful for Pope Francis’ empathy and understanding. “Sometimes it happens that you feel disappointed, discouraged, abandoned by all: but God does not forget his children, he never abandons them!” Francis said in March 2015, resonating deeply with me. Francis leaves a legacy behind that the LGBTQ+ community is not alone, and that there are people who care and want to support them.

Pope Francis’ legacy will continue to inspire us to work towards a more inclusive and compassionate world. His words, “Families today need miracles!” (December 2014), remind us that love and acceptance can bring about miracles and transform lives.

As we remember Pope Francis, we honor his legacy of love and acceptance. I recall his commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion and his willingness to challenge traditional norms and expectations. May we continue to draw inspiration from his example and strive to create a world that is more loving, more accepting, and more inclusive for all.

In a world that often seeks to divide and exclude, Pope Francis’ message of love and acceptance is more relevant than ever. His legacy serves as a reminder that we are not alone, and that there are people who care and want to support us. As we move forward, let us continue to draw inspiration from his example and work towards a world that is more just, more compassionate, and more inclusive for all.

Pope Francis’ impact on the LGBTQ+ community will be remembered for generations to come. His commitment to love and acceptance has inspired countless individuals around the world, and his legacy will continue to inspire us to work towards a more just and compassionate world.

The post Eulogising Pope Francis, a Champion of LGBTQ+ Rights appeared first on Daily Secrets.

Kampala, Uganda. As Kawempe North parliamentary by-election descended into chaos, Thursday, the arrests of two opposition lawmakers and multiple journalists—paired with a shocking military crackdown—have laid bare the escalating dangers faced by media workers.

The decision by Nation Media Group Uganda to withdraw Daily Monitor and NTV Uganda journalists from covering the polls, citing targeted attacks by soldiers and plainclothes agents, underscores a grim reality:  journalism has become a life-threatening act of defiance.

Daniel Kalinaki, the Nation Media group’s General Manager, framed the withdrawal as a reluctant survival tactic in a message posted on X.

“Our teams are being hunted, their equipment destroyed, and their lives endangered simply for documenting the truth,” he said.

This retreat marks an ugly situation revealing how far the state will go to silence scrutiny during pivotal political moments.

The Kawempe North by-election, triggered by the death of former MP Mohammed Ssegirinya, was meant to showcase democracy.

Instead, it has become a theater of repression. Heavy military deployment transformed the constituency into a militarized zone, with security forces firing live rounds, lobbing tear gas, and arbitrarily detaining opposition figures and journalists.

Among those arrested were Mawokota MP Kiyaga Hilderman and Bukomansimbi MP and reporters from Daily Monitor and NBS TV held at undisclosed locations. Among many arrested, tortured or missing is Abubaker Lubowa, Tamale Raymond.

Journalists recount being chased by soldiers, cameras smashed, and drones confiscated. “They don’t want the world to see how they’re rigging this election,” said Mikeal Kakumirizi, a photojournalist who fled after being beaten.

The assault on journalists is not new but has intensified under President Yoweri Museveni’s 38-year rule. Once a regional media leader, the country now ranks 132nd out of 180 in Reporters Without Borders’ 2023 Press Freedom Index, below war-torn Sudan.

Laws like the 2016 Computer Misuse Act and 2023 Anti-Homosexuality Act are routinely weaponized to criminalize critical reporting. The Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-U) documented 47 attacks on press personnel in 2023 alone—a 30% increase from 2022.

Independent outlets like Daily Monitor and NTV Uganda are frequent targets.

Journalists face arbitrary arrests, torture, and equipment seizures, while security forces act with impunity.

“The message is clear: toe the line or face consequences,” said Dr. Peter Mwesige of the African Centre for Excellence in.

The risks are existential. Journalists work in constant fear of reprisals—denied accreditation, barred from press briefings, or labeled “enemies of the state” for exposing corruption.

Media houses, meanwhile, face financial suffocation. Government-aligned businesses boycott independent outlets, starving them of ads.

The Kawempe crisis, however, reveals a darker trajectory. By silencing journalists during elections—the cornerstone of democracy—the state ensures skewed narratives and unchecked fraud. A 2023 Afrobarometer survey found 62% of Ugandans distrust electoral institutions, citing biased media coverage. Without transparency, public faith erodes further.

The international community, long silent, must pressure Kampala to end its war on truth-tellers. For now, reporters like those forced out of Kawempe North cling to a fragile hope: that their sacrifice will ignite a reckoning for Uganda’s fading democracy.

Uganda’s 2026 general elections loom as a flashpoint.

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KAMPALA. Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of President Yoweri Museveni and commander of the nation’s land forces, escalated his violent rhetoric against opposition leader Bobi Wine on Sunday using the derogatory nickname “Kabobi” to lash the National Unity Platform (NUP) president with crude, militaristic threats.

In a series of social media tirades, Muhoozi vowed to personally assassinate Wine—a former musician turned democracy icon—while mocking him as a “baboon” and a “drug addict.”

The threats, unprecedented in their graphic vulgarity, underscore the regime’s desperation to crush dissent ahead of Uganda’s 2026 elections.

Bobi Wine (real name Robert Kyagulanyi), whose NUP party has galvanized youth-led opposition to Museveni’s 39 year rule, has faced relentless state persecution since nearly defeating the president in the violent, fraud-tainted 2021 polls.

“If Kabobi even thinks of causing any chaos in Uganda, I will personally put a bullet in his baboon head! If he EVEN thinks about it!”, Muhoozi posted on X on Sunday.

Muhoozi, long seen as Museveni’s heir apparent, has increasingly positioned himself as the regime’s attack dog, using social media to threaten critics with death. His latest outbursts, however, mark a stark departure from formal political discourse and a breach to Uganda People’s Defence Forces code of conduct.

On Friday, security agents raided NUP offices at Kamwokya and Kavuke taking away official documents. Police said in a statement they acted on information NUP was training militants.

In his series of X posts on Sunday Gen Muhoozi insinuated he was part of the people who raided NUP.

“I entered Kabobi’s office the other day only to find weed and condoms. The guy is an idiot! Now I’m going to his home! If anyone tries to fight we will KILL!”, Gen Muhoozi wrote.

He added; “I am going to utterly crush Kabobi’s balls.”

Muhoozi has often used the term “Kabobi”—a Swahili slang for grilled meat—mocks Wine’s prior music career and paints him as unserious.

Analysts say that Muhoozi’s claims about discovering “weed and condoms” in Wine’s office echo regime propaganda framing the NUP as morally degenerate.

The threats of lethal force align with Uganda’s security tactics: NUP offices have been routinely raided, and over 50 supporters were killed during 2021 election protests.

Wine, a former MP, has survived multiple assassination attempts, torture, and treason charges. His “People Power” movement, symbolized by red berets, continues to be criminalized.

Muhoozi’s threats now signal a dangerous new phase. By framing Wine as a public enemy warranting extrajudicial murder, he tacitly greenlights state violence.

Analysts warn Muhoozi’s rhetoric exposes the regime’s fear of Wine’s enduring influence. With Museveni, 79, reportedly ailing, Muhoozi is likely burnishing his strongman credentials. Yet his crude threats risk alienating international allies; the U.S. recently sanctioned Ugandan officials over human rights abuses.

As Uganda’s political climate hurtles toward crisis, Muhoozi’s vows to “crush Kabobi” signal not just personal animosity, but a regime willing to shed blood to cling to power.

Muhoozi’s rhetoric reveals the regime’s panic over Wine’s unbroken influence, particularly among Uganda’s youth, 80% of whom are under 30. With Museveni, 79, reportedly ailing, Muhoozi is burnishing his strongman credentials.

Wine responds

Wine took screenshots of Gen Muhoozi posts and alluded that dismissing Muhoozi’s threats ignores his illegal military command- the abductions, torture, and raids that prove he acts on them.

Wine rallied  the world to “stop this rogue regime’s madness. Uganda’s crisis cannot be ignored.”

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KAMPALA. Uganda’s Controversial Chief of defence forces and son of President Yoweri Museveni, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba has issued a chilling warning to all UP uniform wearers saying all will be killed.

”From now on, if we find ANYONE wearing a NUP uniform, we will kill them! No questions!” Muhoozi posted on his X handle on Saturday night.

The threat, has escalated uneasiness among the opposition with already dozens of NUP supporters abducted and their whereabouts unknown.

Uganda’s political climate is volatile where opposition groups face intensifying repression.

The National Unity Platform (NUP), led by pop star-turned-politician Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine, has grown rapidly since 2020, capitalizing on youth discontent over unemployment and Museveni’s 39 year rule, now increasingly becoming tyrant.

NUP’s signature red berets and red-striped attire have become symbols of resistance, prompting the government without any law citation to criminalize the attire citing “illegitimate paramilitarism.”

Despite arrests and crackdowns, NUP supporters continued donning the garb, framing it as peaceful dissent. Hundreds of NUP supporters have been jailed, most without trial for years.

Muhoozi’s Saturday declaration reflects the government’s hardening stance on NUP.

UK based NUP supporter Richard Kizza suggest the military, long accused of partisan loyalty to Museveni’s regime, aims to quash NUP’s visibility ahead of 2026 elections.

On Friday, Security forces have previously raided NUP offices, detained activists, and allegedly tortured. Two NUP offices were Friday raided and their files taken by security agents who claimed they acted on intelligence NUP were training militants.

Human Rights Watch has variously condemned the raids on NUP as a “green light for extrajudicial killings,” while NUP has accused Muhoozi of “state terrorism.”

Muhoozi’s rhetoric, however, resonates with hardliners framing NUP as destabilizing. Pro-government media activists link the party to “foreign-backed chaos,” though evidence remains scant. Meanwhile, NUP denies violence, asserting their struggle is constitutional.

International observers warn Uganda risks spiraling deeper into autocracy.

The U.S. and EU have sanctioned officials for rights abuses, but Museveni’s alliance with regional powers buffers external pressure.

For ordinary Ugandans, Muhoozi’s words signal darker days.

“Wearing red could be a death sentence now.” Mr Kizza said.

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The shocking murder of Muhsin Hendricks, recognized as the first openly gay imam globally, serves as a grim reminder of the lethal impact of homophobia and hate-driven violence.

Killed in South Africa on Saturday, Hendricks’ death has sent ripples of grief and anger across the LGBTQ+ community worldwide, prompting urgent reflections on the safety of queer individuals, especially those who challenge societal norms.

While investigators have yet to confirm the motive, the possibility that this was a hate crime is both plausible and deeply unsettling.

Hendricks’ life was a beacon of bravery and resilience. In 1996, he made history by publicly embracing his identity as a gay imam, a courageous act that positioned him at the crossroads of faith and self-expression.

Through the Al-Ghurbaah Foundation in Cape Town, he created a safe space for queer Muslims, offering support to those grappling with the intersection of their faith and sexual orientation.

Yet, his advocacy came with immense personal risk. Hendricks endured death threats and relentless opposition, as captured in the 2022 documentary  “The Radical” which chronicled his efforts to establish a mosque for LGBTQ+ Muslims.

“The need to be authentic was greater than the fear to die,” he once said—a statement that now feels hauntingly prophetic.

South Africa, despite its progressive constitution that protects LGBTQ+ rights, remains a perilous environment for queer individuals.

The country’s soaring murder rates, among the highest globally, are compounded by frequent acts of violence against the LGBTQ+ community. Hendricks’ killing is not an isolated tragedy but part of a disturbing trend targeting those who defy societal expectations.

The fact that his assailants remain unidentified highlights systemic failures in addressing hate crimes and safeguarding marginalized groups.

Reactions from religious and governmental bodies have been mixed. The Muslim Judicial Council of South Africa condemned Hendricks’ murder but reiterated its position that his views on same-sex relationships were “incompatible with Islamic teachings.”

This contradictory stance—denouncing violence while upholding discriminatory beliefs—reveals the deep-seated hypocrisy that fuels anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment.

Similarly, South Africa’s Department of Justice and Constitutional Development has vowed to monitor the case, but such assurances lack weight without tangible efforts to tackle the root causes of hate-driven violence.

Hendricks’ death is a sobering reminder that the fight for equality is fraught with danger and resistance. His murder is not just a loss for the LGBTQ+ community but for humanity at large.

It underscores the pressing need for governments, religious institutions, and civil society to confront homophobia and transphobia with unwavering resolve. Education, advocacy, and legal reforms are critical to dismantling the systems that perpetuate hate and violence.

In my country Uganda there is intensified LGBTQ+ persecution with harsh anti-gay laws, that has sparked global outrage. Activists face violence, arrests, and discrimination, while international calls for human rights protections grow.

As we mourn Muhsin Hendricks, we must also honor his legacy by continuing the struggle for a world where no one is forced to choose between their faith, identity, and safety. Silence in the face of such atrocities is complicity. It is time to raise our voices, take a stand, and demand justice for Hendricks and all those whose lives have been cut short by hate.

The writer is a journalist and rights activist 

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