IN March of 2023 the Ugandan parliamentarians, all bUt for one, HON. ODOI-OYWELOWO voted for THE KILL HE GAYS BILL, ANTI-HOMOSEXUALITY ACT OF 2023, (AHA) THAT WAS DULY SIGNED INTO LAW BY PRESIDENT MUSEVENI. Since that date violence has increased against LGBTI people in the country exponentially:
HRAPF has completed its compilation of LGBTIQ cases handled by the legal aid clinic in July 2023. 31st July 2023 marked two months since the AHA came into force.
HRAPF reports that in the period from 1st July 2023 to 31st July 2023, a total of 84 cases were handled across the legal aid network WITHIN UGANDA, with 53 of these containing actions that specifically targeted people for negative treatment on the basis of their sexuality, affecting a total of 67 persons.
This represents 63.1% of all cases handled. Out of the 53 cases in which actions were taken targeting LGBTIQ persons on the basis of their sexuality and/or gender identity, 26 were cases of evictions from homes, villages and rented properties affecting 33 persons; 21 were cases of actual or threatened violence affecting 24 persons; and 6 were cases of arrests affecting 10 persons.
African Human Rights Coalition had a total of 20 case reports for July 2023. AHRC has knowledge that only 5 of the cases reported to us were reported to HRAPF. Which indicates that the cases they are reporting are probably only tip of the iceberg. Many of Uganda's LGBTQI+ community do not feel safe reporting to any organization, within Uganda, expressing fear and trust issues.
There is active enforcement of the Act mostly by non state actors - especially landlords. Evictions are the main violations. Arrests and charges under the Act have also increased with 4 people charged with homosexuality under section 2 of the Act. The number of cases is 7.8 times more than those handled during the same period in 2022.
July 2023 shows an increase in the number of cases from 46 in June to 53 in July – an increase of 6 cases or 15.2%. There was also an increase in the number of victims from 50 in June to 67 in July, an increase of 17 victims (34%). These cases are more than those handled in June 2023 showing a trend where violence and violations continue to rise rather than reduce.
As a way of update, there is one case currently before courts where someone is facing charges of 'homosexuality' under the Act. This is Bushenyi district with an additional charge of trafficking in persons.
Currently AHRC has 23 people in hiding seeking to flee the country who are targets for arrest, have been abused, beaten, violated and/or evicted with nowhere safe to go. Logistics are difficult and it takes money to help people flee. AHRC usually does no assist people in leaving their country but in the absence of solutions within Uganda, and no help provided to these people by any other organization, we have stepped in and need your help. Please donate to our efforts at www.AfricanHRC.org/donate.
THE HRAPF JULY REPORT HERE:
PIC; THE RESPONSIBLE PARTIES INCLUDE ALL PARLIAMENTARIANS WHO VOTED FOR THE BILL -98% - AND BELOW THE ATTORNEY GENERAL - JACKSON KAFUUZI, (CHRISTIAN) THE SPEAK - ANITA AMONG (CHRISTIAN) AND THE PRIVATE BILL SPONSOR- ASUMAN BASILIRWA (MUSLIM)
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