Uganda

African academics have used scientific evidence to argue against such laws and to urge African nations to abandon them. In a report published on 10 June by the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAF), the academics, most of whom are scientists, make the case that laws criminalizing homosexuality have no basis in science and hamper efforts to prevent and treat HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

Over 300 asylum seekers in Kenya who allegedly fled the homophobia and persecution in Uganda are still faced with physical and mental torture as fellow asylum seekers in Kenyan refugee camps turns more hostile. LGBTI asylum seekers cannot easily integrate in to this homophobic society where bullying, harassment and arrests by security agents are already at the increase.

LGBTI and sex worker activists in Uganda are preparing for a celebration of solidarity, with an emphasis on developing self-sufficiency in their community. The local Youth on Rock Foundation is organizing the event in conjunction with the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT) on May 16. Organizer Frank Kamya labels this event the second annual LGBTQ and sex worker pride celebration, following last year’s Kuchus’ Day Out. It is in addition to the Ugandan pride celebrations that the country’s LGBTI community has held for the past three summers.

What’s it like to be part of a Ugandan minority – of less than 20 – living as openly gay? Frank Mugisha agreed to answer questions about his experiences.

Q: How can we support progressive Ugandan faith leaders to work with their peers to be more accepting?

In a gathering at Kampala’s Grand Global Hotel on January 29, five key population groups chose five nominees each for seats on the Country Coordinating Mechanism panel. In a new election scheduled for February 5, those nominees will meet and choose a total of two of their number to serve on the CCM. The CCM oversees programs and makes key decisions about requests for funding from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, which finances many of Uganda’s anti-AIDS efforts.

A study conducted by World Linguistic Agency has rated Uganda the Best English Speaking Country in Africa. After Uganda, the following countries came in closely: South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya and Zambia. Despite their strong traditional accent, Nigerians were credited for taking the spot for constructing good sentences that are grammatically flawless.

Breaking news: An LGBT magazine has been launched in Uganda, in an attempt to 'reclaim the media' and to promote acceptance of the gay and trans community there. "Bombastic" magazine, which is available free in supermarkets, compiles stories, testimonies and opinions by LGBT Ugandans, and aims to end violence against LGBT people across the country. The magazine has been introduced as politicians in Uganda threaten to re-introduce the controversial Anti-Homosexuality Bill.

Constitutional court petitioned to scrap the tough anti-gay law currently effective in Uganda. Signed in February this year by Uganda's veteran president, Yoweri Museveni, the law calls for homosexuals to be jailed for life, outlaws the promotion of homosexuality and obliges Ugandans to denounce gay people to the authorities.

Days after Uganda's president signed into law an anti-gay bill that punishes sex between homosexual couples with a maximum sentence of life in prison, Richard Lusimbo was outed in the most public of manners. He was alerted by a friend that his picture was splashed across a tabloid newspaper under the headline 'How I Became Homo'. "I just went silent, I didn't know what to do," Lusimbo recalled of that day.