Dear Reader
We are pleased to share with you the 19th edition of the HRAPF Spotlight Newsletter, highlighting key moments from our work during the third quarter of 2025 (July - September).
Throughout this period, HRAPF has remained steadfast in its mission to advance human rights through our core programmes: Access to Justice, the Center on Law and Marginalisation, Health Rights and Community Outreach.
In this edition, we showcase key milestones from our programmes and share updates on our ongoing efforts to promote and protect the rights of marginalised communities.
We hope you find these updates both informative and inspiring.
Happy reading!
ACCESS TO JUSTICE
LEGAL AID SERVICE PROVISION
HRAPF continues to offer free legal aid services to a wide range of marginalised groups, including sex workers, People Who Use and Inject Drugs (PWUIDs), LGBTQ+ persons, intersex persons, women, girls and health workers in conflict with abortion laws, elderly and indigent persons with land justice issues, as well as women and girls living with or affected by HIV/AIDS.
In the third quarter of 2025, HRAPF handled a total of 652 cases, benefitting 1,013 persons.
Of these;
- 337 cases involved sex workers benefitting 509 persons.
- 118 cases involved LGBT+ persons benefitting 220 persons.
- 117 cases involved PWUIDs benefiting 283 persons.
- 19 cases involved indigent women with land justice issues.
- 60 cases involving persons living with and affected by HIV.
- 1 case of a health worker in conflict with abortion laws benefitting one person.
Out of the total cases handled in the period;
- 352 cases were handled by the HRAPF trained community paralegals under the supervision of HRAPF lawyers.
- 167 cases were handled by lawyers at the main legal aid clinic.
- 132 cases were handled at the regional legal aid centers.
- 21 cases were handled through the specialised legal aid desks for TGNC persons, LBQ women and intersex persons.
The interventions conducted while offering legal services to the clients included; legal representation, police follow-ups, mediations, legal drafting, legal counselling and guidance.
DOCUMENTATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS
All cases handled during the period were thoroughly documented, with 45 incidents of human rights violations recorded.
Of these, 35 were committed against LGBTI persons, 6 against sex workers, and 4 against PWUIDs. The most common violations included arbitrary arrests, prolonged detention, discrimination, and inhumane or degrading treatment often manifesting as physical assaults and threats of violence.
UPDATE ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION SINCE THE ENACTMENT OF THE ANTI-HOMOSEXUALITY ACT, 2023 (AHA)
This quarter marked two years since the enactment of the Anti-Homosexuality Act, 2023. Despite the significant challenges posed by this law, HRAPF remained steadfast in supporting the LGBTQ community through the provision of specialised legal aid, emergency relocation and medical support.
In July 2025, HRAPF handled a total of 41 cases, a reduction from 57 cases recorded in June. Of these, 12 cases (29.3%) involved individuals targeted for negative treatment based on their real or presumed sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression (SOGIE), a decrease from 19 such cases in June. A total of 14 persons were affected by these violations in July, compared to 60 in June.
In August 2025, HRAPF handled 66 cases, with 27.3% involving individuals targeted for negative treatment based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression (SOGIE). These included 8 incidents of violence, 6 arrests, 3 evictions, and 1 case of discrimination based on sexuality- the first recorded case of direct discrimination in a healthcare setting. The number of victims in August nearly doubled, rising from 14 in July to 26 in August.
In September 2025, HRAPF handled 60 cases, with 30% involving individuals targeted for negative treatment based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression (SOGIE). The number of victims further increased sharply from 26 in August to 41 in September, largely due to a number of targeted mass arrests, violence incidents, and evictions.
LINKS TO THE FULL REPORTS BELOW
CENTER ON LAW AND MARGINALISATION
STRATEGIC LITIGATION
In the period, a draft of the petition challenging anal examination was generated and draft supporting affidavits were drawn.
In the period, HRAPF followed up on other ongoing strategic cases;
- In the case of Nimrod Muhumuza & Others vs. Attorney General (Reference No. 29 of 2023), pending at the East Africa Court of Justice (EACJ), follow up was made at the registry of the court. The team held 5 meetings with potential amici in this case.
- In the case of Mukiibi & 20 Others vs. Hajji Abdul Kiyimba Misc. Cause No.179 of 2020, follow up was made and an update meeting with clients held. The clients were updated on the progress of the appeal.
- In Constitutional Petition No. 25 of 2020 (HRAPF vs AG), consolidated with Petition No. 20 of 2018 (CEHURD vs AG), files challenging the constitutionality of the various penal provisions criminalising abortion, three legal strategising meetings were conducted with lawyers and community members and two strategic meetings were conducted to discuss the implications of the Constitutional Court judgement and the implications of the appeal.
- In the case of Shawn Mugisha & Others Vs AG and DPC Kabalagala, filed to challenge the various human rights violations suffered at the hands of police, the team followed up the case at the Uganda Human Rights Commission. The clients were contacted to provide further information required as evidence by the UHRC.
THE HEALTH RIGHTS PROGRAMME
WORKSHOPS WITH OFFICERS FROM THE UGANDA PRISONS SERVICE
As part of efforts to enhance access to stigma-free HIV services for key populations in prison settings, HRAPF conducted four workshops for officers from the Uganda Prisons Service as follows;
- 14th August 2025 in Lira district with 20 prison officers.
- 29th August 2025 in Masaka district with 24 prison officers.
- 25th September 2025 in Fort Portal district with 15 prison officers.
- 30th September 2025 in Mbarara district with 42 prison officers.
WORKSHOPS WITH HEALTH WORKERS
HRAPF conducted three training workshops for health workers during the reporting period. These sessions focused on enhancing participants’ understanding of KP issues, the concepts of marginalisation and human rights and the importance of ensuring access to stigma-free health services for Key Populations.
The trainings were conducted as follows;
- In Apac district on 23rd September 2025 attended by 23 health workers.
- In Lira district on 24th September 2025 attended by 27 health workers.
- In Gulu district on 25th September 2025 attended by 20 health workers.
STAKEHOLDER DIALOGUES ON THE RIGHTS OF KPS
HRAPF conducted one stakeholder dialogue on 24th July 2025 in Hoima district, which was attended by 25 persons.
The dialogue aimed at fostering understanding and collaboration among key community actors on the rights, safety, and well-being of sex workers and other Key Populations. It brought together local council leaders, police officers, brothel managers, and sex workers to discuss human rights, legal protections, and community-based strategies to reduce stigma, discrimination, and violence.
REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ENGAGEMENTS AND CAMPAIGNS
During the quarter, HRAPF participated in the ‘Think and Learn’ workshop organized by the IJSC and DFPA in Nairobi from 4th to 5th July 2025 on monitoring funding flows to anti-rights actors in Africa.
In addition, we carried out a social media campaign on climate change, which reached a total of 2,792 persons across Facebook, Instagram and X. 278 persons directly interacted with the posts through reactions, re-tweets, re-posts, comments and posts.
We also carried out a campaign on access to legal and safe abortion in September. The campaign reached a total of 4,182 individuals, of whom 447 actively engaged with the posts across the 3 major social media platforms.
THE COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMME
LEGAL AND HUMAN RIGHTS AWARENESS FOR MARGINALISED COMMUNITIES
LEGAL AID CAMPS
During the period, three legal aid camps with PWUIDs were conducted as follows;
- In Mbale district on 11th August 2025 with 21 participants.
- In Lira district on 14th August 2025 with 20 participants.
- In Gulu district on 15th August 2025 with 21 participants.
In the period, we also conducted a legal aid camp with 32 intersex persons in Tororo district.
AWARENESS SESSION WITH KPs
During the period, HRAPF handled two awareness sessions with sexual and gender minorities were conducted on the legal and policy framework governing their rights. These sessions were as follows;
- In Iganga district on 10th September 2025 with intersex persons.
- In Kanungu district on 24th July 2025 attended by 11 persons.
Seven awareness sessions were conducted with sex workers during the quarter in order to address increased cases of violence and femicide against sex workers in some sites.
They were conducted as follows;
- In Hoima district on 23rd July 2025 attended by 25 sex workers.
- In Ibanda district on 30th July 2025 attended by 25 sex workers.
- In Kalangala district on 12th August 2025 attended by 31 sex workers.
- In Ddimu landing site on 13th August 2025 attended by 25 sex workers.
- In Apac district on 3rd September 2025 attended by 31 sex workers.
- In Kasese district on 24th September 2025 attended by 31 sex workers.
- In Kampala district on 26th September 2025 attended by 30 sex workers.
OTHER ENGAGEMENTS WITH MARGINALISED COMMUNITIES
During the reporting period, HRAPF conducted several other community-focused meetings and trainings aimed at strengthening safety, resilience and access to essential services for marginalised groups;
- In the period we conducted eight meetings on safety and security with residents or KP crisis shelters. These meetings focused on strategies to enhance personal and collective safety in response to increasing risks faced by KPs.
- One training on statutory compliance for KP organisations was conducted from 28th to 29th July 2025 and it was attended by 15 participants.
- In an effort to build the resilience of marginalised communities to adapt to climate related disruptions, HRAPF conducted two awareness sessions with sex workers on 30th July 2025 in Kyengera, attended by 57 participants and on 31st July 2025 in Nateete attended by 40 sex workers. This session focused on climate change and its impact on SRHR for sex workers, including access to legal and mental health services during climate crises.
COMMUNITY PARALEGAL TRAINING PROGRAMME
PARALEGAL SHARING SESSIONS
HRAPF routinely monitors and supports the work of community paralegals through quarterly paralegal sharing sessions, which provide a platform for peer learning, experience sharing and coordination among paralegals servicing various KP communities.
During the third quarter of 2025, three regional paralegal sharing sessions were conducted as follows;
- In Gulu district on 17th September 2025 attended by 17 paralegals.
- In Mbale district on 18th September 2025 attended by 16 paralegals.
- In Mbarara district on 19th September 2025 attended by 22 paralegals.
SUPPORT TO PARALEGALS TO FURTHER THEIR STUDIES
During the reporting period, HRAPF continued to support one community paralegal to pursue their degree in Law at Cavendish University, one of whom graduated with a Bachelor of Laws degree in August 2025.
We also supported one community paralegal to continue their studies at the Law Development Center.
INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT TO KEY POPULATION ORGANISATIONS
During the quarter, HRAPF supported an organisation to file annual returns for two organisations. Additionally, two organisations were facilitated to conduct Annual General Meetings and two others were facilitated to conduct Board of Directors meetings.
We also carried out courtesy visits to 16 KP partner organisations in the quarter and attended 11 events organised by partner organisations. During this period, we also provided rent support to 15 KP organisations operating shelters and Drop in Centers.
HRAPF SECRETARIAT ACTIVITIES
STAFF BIRTHDAYS AND CELEBRATIONS
During the third quarter of 2025, we celebrated the birthdays of staff members born in July, August and September along with various personal and professional achievements.
HRAPF bid a fond farewell to our founding Executive Director, Dr. Adrian Jjuuko, and warmly welcomed our new Executive Director, Edward Mwebaza, in a colourful ceremony graced by development partners, representatives of diplomatic missions, civil society partners, clients and friends. We are so grateful to you all for your overwhelming support during this transition period; it has made a world of difference to HRAPF’s growth journey.
HRAPF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
HRAPF conducted its 16th Annual General Meeting on 27th September 2025. The meeting was attended by staff, HRAPF members, Trustees and the 7th Board of Directors, who presented the Annual report of 2024 to the members.
We thank all our clients, partners and donors for the support during the year 2024.
SPECIAL TRIBUTE: DR. ADRIAN JJUUKO
On 27th September 2025, we bid a heartfelt farewell to Dr. Adrian Jjuuko whose dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment have greatly contributed to HRAPF's mission. Dr. Kabumba Busingye gave a powerful keynote address on leadership transition within civil society organisations, and Hon. Mariam Wangadya, the Chairperson of the Uganda Human Rights Commission, honoured the occasion as the Chief Guest with a heartfelt tribute to Dr. Adrian Jjuuko.
We were honoured by the presence of all our valued partners and friends at this occasion.
Throughout his tenure, Dr. Jjuuko played a pivotal role in advancing our programs, mentoring colleagues, and strengthening our advocacy for human rights and social justice. His passion for uplifting marginalised communities and his collaborative spirit have left a lasting impact on HRAPF and the individuals we serve.
We thank Dr. Adrian Jjuuko for his remarkable service and wish him continued success in all his future endeavors.
Credits:
Created with images by sebra - "Gavel of justice and scales on the table" • dizain - "Advocacy bulb word cloud concept" • STOATPHOTO - "human rights abstract Concept. Chart with keywords and icons. White office desk" • Belight - "Multicultural society and international tolerance celebration of multicultural and african, asian, american and caucasian culture integration and pride as a multi cultural group."