pressure on uganda gained momentum for release of 3 activists

By Nthateng Mhlambiso (BTM Senior Reporter)

UGANDA – The three lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) activists arrested during the HIV/ AIDS Implementers’ Meeting for alleged trespassing in Uganda are released.

The activists who, according to Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) were protesting peacefully along with other LGBTI and HIV activists against ‘homophobic’ statements made by Director General of the Uganda AIDS Commission Kihumuro Apuuli, were released last week on bail, and will go to appear in court on 20 June.

However, just a day after their release, one of the activists was re-arrested on charges of forgery.

“The police said that the card that he was holding to enter the conference was forged, and they detained him for four hours”, Kasha Jacqueline, Ugandan Human rights defender said.

She added that it was only after intervention by the organisers of the conference, officials from UNAIDS, that he was released.

A week ago, Apuuli reportedly said that that no funds would be directed towards HIV programmes, particularly for men who have sex with other men (MSM), and that “gays are one of the drivers of HIV in Uganda”.

The activists were protesting against this statement and the ‘gross neglect’, on the part of the Ugandan Government, in responding to a growing HIV epidemic among the country’s LGBTI community.

Human rights groups, SMUG, International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) and Amnesty International had earlier issued statements calling for Ugandan police to release the activists.

Civil society organisations and the LGBTI community in general also called for their release and expressed their support.

Acknowledging the support, the activists said; “The two days and two nights we spent under detention proved to be not only a trying time for us as activists, but it was a brave show of courage and unity from all of you all the way until we were released.”

While the charges against them still hold, these activists have said that they rely on moral support from the LBGTI organisations, human rights groups and individuals to realise victory.

“We believe that with you [supporters] on our side, together we will get the victory we so much deserve.”