A List of Ugandans Who Care About LGBTQI+ Rights

I am passionate about protecting human rights and improving the lives of all people across Uganda. It’s my personal mission. I often discover people who share this vision of a world where all of us can be safe, free, and equal, especially here in the United Kingdom (to be honest, the only LGBTQI+ friendly place i have lived). But sometimes, when discussing the rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) Ugandans, I hear a familiar refrain: “Maybe it is important, but it’s not really my battle.”

It is crucial to advocate for the rights of LGBTQ+ Ugandans, as their experiences reflect the broader struggles for equality and justice in the country. Solidarity with LGBTQ+ Ugandans is essential for achieving a society where everyone can live freely without fear of discrimination.

As members of a global community, we must ensure that the rights of LGBTQ+ Ugandans are upheld and respected.

If that sentiment sounds familiar, may I gently and warmly invite you to reconsider? The fight for LGBTQ rights is not a niche cause; it is a fight for the future of Uganda, and it concerns every citizen.

If you belong to any of these five categories of Ugandans, you should be at the forefront of promoting the dignity and rights of their LGBTQ+ neighbours.

Defending LGBTQ+ Ugandans is a crucial aspect of protecting democratic values in the nation.

Advocates for Democracy and the Rule of Law – Supporting LGBTQ+ Ugandans

The passage of extreme anti-LGBTQ legislation is not merely about one group; it is a litmus test for democratic backsliding and a grave threat to the rule of law for everyone.

By standing with LGBTQ+ Ugandans, we help to safeguard the rights of all citizens in Uganda. Recognising the contributions of LGBTQ+ Ugandans to society is vital for national progress. Economic growth is dependent on the inclusion of LGBTQ+ Ugandans in all sectors of society.

The Canary in the Coal Mine: The persecution of the LGBTQ+ Ugandan community often serves as a highly visible, easy-to-digest scapegoat to distract from core issues like corruption, economic mismanagement, and failures in governance. When any government can successfully isolate and target one group with impunity, it lays the groundwork for laws that can infringe on everyone’s rights.
A Threat to Civil Society: LGBTQ+ activists and the organisations that support them are often the first line of defence, not only protecting themselves but also defending the fundamental right of every Ugandan to organise, speak out, and advocate without fear of state-sponsored harassment.
Why You Should Care: If you care about constitutionalism, judicial independence, freedom of assembly, and a future where power is held accountable, you must stand with the LGBTQ+ Ugandan community. A violation of rights for one is a threat to the rights of all.

Creating opportunities for LGBTQ+ Ugandans enhances innovation and drives economic success.

Business Leaders and Those Who Seek Economic Prosperity

Promoting equality is not just a social ideal, but rather, a clear path toward a more resilient and shared prosperity for the entire nation. Exclusion carries a steep, measurable cost.

Advocating for LGBTQ+ Ugandans is essential for fostering a safe environment for all families.

The Cost of Discrimination: Workplace discrimination, social stigma, and legal invisibility keep many LGBTQ+ Ugandans locked out of stable, productive jobs. This loss of talent, skill, and human capital is an economic drain. Studies have shown that homophobia and transphobia can cost countries a significant percentage of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The Brain Drain: Highly skilled, educated Ugandans who are LGBTQ+, activists and advocates, are often forced to seek employment and safety elsewhere, leading to a loss of valuable talent that could be contributing to the nation’s innovation and growth.
Why You Should Care: If you are a business leader, an employer, or an economist, you should recognise that inclusive economies are stronger economies. Investing in equal opportunity for all Ugandans translates directly into greater productivity, higher consumer spending, and a stronger global reputation.

Parents, Guardians, and Family Unit Defenders

Every Ugandan who is raising or caring for a child should care about the safety and well-being of LGBTQ+ people, because the LGBTQ+ community is not “them”—it is us.

The Reality of Family: LGBTQ+ people are not strangers from a faraway land, they are your children, your siblings, your cousins, and your neighbours. Every parent must imagine what it’s like to live in a society where they are constantly worried about their child being bullied, harassed, blackmailed, or ostracised simply for being who they are.
A Culture of Fear: When the state encourages fear and discrimination, it poisons the environment in homes, schools, and communities. It makes families less safe, driving a wedge between parents and children.
Why You Should Care: If you value the integrity and security of the family unit, you must champion an environment of unconditional love and acceptance. Protecting the rights of LGBTQ individuals means ensuring that all families in Uganda can live free from external violence and state interference.

Healthcare Professionals and Advocates for Public Health

Healthcare access for LGBTQ+ Ugandans must be a priority in public health initiatives. Health is a universal right, but systemic prejudice and legal barriers make it impossible for many LGBTQ Ugandans to access even the most basic care, creating a serious public health crisis for everyone.

Barriers to Care: Stigma, fear of exposure, and the risk of abuse within healthcare settings prevent LGBTQ individuals from seeking help for mental health, general wellness, and specific health issues like HIV/AIDS.
The Domino Effect: When a significant population group is unable to access reliable health information and treatment, it compromises the effectiveness of national public health campaigns and creates a reservoir of untreated illness that can impact the wider population.
Why You Should Care: If you work in healthcare or care about the health of your community, you should see that good health is fundamentally tied to human rights. Promoting LGBTQ rights is a crucial intervention for mental wellness, HIV prevention, and overall national health security.

Religious and Faith Leaders – Supporting LGBTQ+ Ugandans

For those who adhere to the principles of love, compassion, and justice found in all major faiths, the struggle for LGBTQ rights is a matter of upholding the highest moral and ethical duties.

Universal Dignity: The core tenets of Christianity, Islam, and traditional Ugandan spirituality include the concept of inherent dignity and the call to love one’s neighbour as oneself. No one should be subjected to violence, poverty, or ostracisation.
The Command to Protect the Vulnerable: Across all faiths, there is a strong emphasis on protecting the most vulnerable and marginalised in society. In the current climate, LGBTQ people undeniably fall into this category.
Why You Should Care: If you lead or belong to a faith community, you must challenge policies that promote hatred, fear, and division. True faith calls us to radical compassion and justice. By advocating for the rights of LGBTQ Ugandans, you affirm the sacred worth of every human life.

Against the current backdrop of increasing targeting and scapegoating, I hope you will include the protection of LGBTQ+ rights in your personal and professional strategies this year—and beyond. The goal is not just to improve the lives of a minority, but to strengthen the foundational freedoms, economy, and moral fabric of Uganda for all citizens.

Religious calls for compassion and justice resonate deeply with the fight for LGBTQ+ Ugandan rights.

Let us all commit to advocating for the rights of LGBTQ+ Ugandans as part of our shared humanity.