Dear Reader,
Happy New Year 2025!!
We are pleased to share the 16th edition of the HRAPF Spotlight Newsletter, bringing you key highlights from our work in the fourth quarter of 2024 (October–December). During this period, HRAPF continued its commitment to advancing human rights through our core programmes: Access to Justice, the Center on Law and Marginalisation, Health Rights and Community Outreach.
In this issue, we take you through the impactful strides made under each programme and the progress achieved in our mission to promote and protect the rights of marginalised communities. We hope you find these updates insightful and inspiring.
Happy reading!
ACCESS TO JUSTICE
LEGAL AID SERVICE PROVISION
HRAPF offers free legal aid services to sex workers, PWUIDs, LGBTI persons, survivors of gender based violence in refugee settlements, women, girls, and health workers in conflict with abortion laws, elderly and indigent persons with land justice issues, and women and girls living with and/or affected by HIV/AIDS.
In the fourth quarter, HRAPF handled a total of 544 cases, benefitting 654 persons. Of these, 320 cases involved sex workers benefiting 364 persons; 157 cases involved LGBT persons and benefitted 183 persons; 65 cases involved PWUIDs benefiting 105 persons; 2 cases involving women and girls in conflict with abortion cases benefiting 2 persons.
Out of the cases handled in the fourth quarter, 143 cases were handled at the main legal aid clinic; 401 cases were handled by HRAPF trained community paralegals under the supervision of HRAPF lawyers; 98 cases were handled by the regional legal aid centers and 15 cases were handled through the specialised legal aid desks for TGNC persons and intersex persons.
In the quarter, the legal team handled 19 HIV and land cases and appeared in court 23 times representing clients in 13 different files.
DOCUMENTATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS
In the fourth quarter, all the cases handled were properly documented and 102 incidents of human rights violations were recorded. Of these, 68 were committed against LGBTI persons, 23 against sex workers and 11 against PWUIDs. The violations majorly took the forms of prolonged detention, arbitrary arrests, discrimination and inhumane and degrading treatment, which took the form of assaults and threats of violence against the clients. The major perpetrators identified were police officers, members of the general community and clients of sex workers.
UPDATE ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION SINCE THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE ANTI-HOMOSEXUALITY ACT, 2023 (AHA)
This quarter marked 19 months since the #AHA23 was enacted, during which HRAPF has continued to offer specialised legal support to the LGBT community in Uganda, even amidst the significant challenges.
In October 2024, HRAPF handled 50 cases, a reduction from the 72 cases handled in September. Of the 50 cases handled, 16 cases involved actions that directly targeted people for negative treatment based on their SOGIE, representing 32% of all cases handled in October 2024, and affected 18 persons. These included 9 cases of violence and threats of violence against persons based on their SOGIE, 4 eviction cases and 3 arrests on sexuality related charges.
In November 2024, HRAPF handled 47 cases, a reduction from the 50 cases handled in October. Out of the 47 cases handled, 23 cases involved actions that directly targeted people for negative treatment on based on their SOGIE, representing 48.9% of all the cases handled in November and affecting 28 persons. The cases included 14 cases involved violence and threats of violence against persons based on their SOGIE, 6 eviction cases and 3 arrests on sexuality-related charges.
In December 2024, HRAPF handled a total of 45 cases, a slight reduction from the 47 cases handled in November 2024. Of the 45 cases handled, 18 cases involved actions that directly targeted people for negative treatment based their SOGIE, representing 40% of all the cases handled in December 2024 and the number of victims affected by these violations were 23. Out of the 18 cases, 8 were arrests on sexuality related charges, 7 were eviction cases on suspicions of involvement in homosexuality, while 3 were cases of violence based on presumed SOGIE.
Between January and December 2024, a total of 415 verified incidents of violence and violations against individuals based on their real or presumed SOGIE were reported to the HRAPF legal aid network. Of these, 180 were cases involving actual violence and threats of violence against individuals presumed to be LGBTQ; 170 were incidents of evictions; and 65 were arrests on sexuality-related charges or for sexuality-related reasons.
CENTER ON LAW AND MARGINALISATION
STRATEGIC LITIGATION
Four legal strategizing meetings were conducted with key stakeholders, including community leaders, legal scholars, petitioners and advocates engaged on Supreme Court Constitutional Appeal No. 7 of 2024 (the AHA Appeal) to discuss the progress of the appeal, discuss and draft a scheduling memorandum and submissions in preparation for filing.
In the period, we also followed up on the cases of Kasha Jacqueline and 3 others v Attorney General and Another, Civil Appeal No. 195 of 2014, which is pending re-allocation to a new panel of Justices for re-hearing; the case of HRAPF v Attorney General, Constitutional Petition No. 25 of 2020 (the Abortion Petition) came up for hearing on the 13th November, and the matter has been set for judgment on notice.
In Nimrod Muhumuza & 5 Others vs AG , EACJ Reference No. 29 of 2023, the team held a discussion with the registrar of the Court in Arusha with a view to having the matter fixed for hearing in the next session.
Finally, judgment was delivered in favour of the applicants in the matter of Mukiibi Henry and 20 Others Vs. Hajji Abdul Kiyimba and 3 Others, High Court Miscellaneous Cause No.179 of 2020. In this case, the High Court ruled that the actions of Haji Abdul Kiyimba in beating and verbally assaulting the applicants amounted to torture, inhuman and degrading treatment, and the raid on an LGBT shelter itself without a search warrant amounted to violation of the right to privacy, and court awarded general and punitive damages amounting to Uganda Shillings 7,500,000 (about USD 2000) per person for the harm suffered
THE HEALTH RIGHTS PROGRAMME
HIGH LEVEL DIALOGUES WITH DUTY BEARERS ON ACCESS TO SRHR SERVICES FOR KEY POPULATIONS WITH DISTRICT LEADERS
In partnership with the Ministry of Health, HRAPF conducted two high-level dialogues with key district and city leaders in Arua and Fort Portal districts on marginalisation and access to health services for Key Populations.
One dialogue was conducted on 24th October 2024 in Fort Portal district and attended by 22 participants. The second dialogue was conducted on 6th November 2024 in Arua district and was attended by 37 participants.
ENGAGEMENTS WITH THE UGANDA AIDS COMMISSION KP STEERING COMMITTEE
HRAPF supported the Uganda AIDS Commission to conduct two KP steering committee meetings to discuss health service provision to Key and Priority populations in Uganda. One meeting was conducted on 29th October 2024 and attended by 30 participants while the second meeting was conducted from 16th -18th December 2024.
WORKSHOPS WITH OFFICERS FROM UGANDA PRISONS
In a bid to discuss access to HIV services in prison settings, particularly for Key Populations in prisons, HRAPF conducted two workshops for officers from the Uganda Prisons Service from various prisons in the Eastern and Northern region.
One workshop was conducted in Mbale district on 26th October 2024 and attended by 27 prison officers and the second training was conducted on 27th October 2024 in Gulu district attended by 23 prison officers.
WORKSHOPS WITH POLICE OFFICERS
One training for 24 police officers was conducted from 31st October to 1st November 2024 in Kabale district. The workshop covered topics such as marginalisation, human rights and employing a human rights based approach in policing.
WORKSHOPS WITH HEALTH WORKERS
Two health workers’ trainings were conducted in the period discussing KP issues, the concept of marginalisation, the concept of human rights and access to stigma-free health services for Key Populations. The first workshop was conducted on 26th October 2024 in Mbale district reaching out to 30 health workers and the second training was conducted on 27th October 2024 in Jinja district reaching out to 30 health workers.
SUPPORT TO SRHR CHAMPION TO CONDUCT ADVOCACY
One SRHR champion was supported to conduct an SRHR stakeholder engagement meeting in Mpondwe-Lhubiriha town council on 14th November 2024 with 15 stakeholders. The meeting discussed access to justice and health services for Key Populations.
CLIMATE CHANGE ENGAGEMENTS WITH COMMUNITIES
KP communities are at a greater risk of experiencing climate-related human rights violations, such as loss of shelter, increased violence, and restricted access to health services, including SRHR services and commodities, given their increased vulnerability to climate disasters. In a bid to empower sex workers to advocate for climate justice, HRAPF conducted a climate change training with 20 sex work peers from 18th -21st November 2024.
REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ADVOCACY
HRAPF in collaboration with the National Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission (NGLHRC) in Kenya presented a statement to the African Commission on Human and People's Rights on 23rd October 2024.
HRAPF was represented by Ms. Tracy Ivy Nakayenga at the We lead partners summit from 25th to 29th November 2024 in Nairobi Kenya.
MEDIA ENGAGEMENTS
HRAPF held one radio talk show to discuss access to Sexual Reproductive Health Rights and services for adolescent girls and young women in Uganda on Bukedde FM on 23rd October 2024, and one press conference on 25th November 2024 during the delivery of the ruling in the COSF case.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMME
AWARENESS SESSIONS
Two awareness sessions were held with intersex persons in Masaka and Mbarara, attended by 60 persons.
One awareness session was held with sex workers operating at New Best Hotel Busega, attended by 80 individuals.
Three awareness sessions were held with adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) on general SRHR issues for AGYW and the legal and policy framework on abortion in Jinja and Kamuli from 6th to 8th November, attended by a total of 194 participants.
OTHER ENGAGEMENTS WITH MARGINALISED COMMUNITIES
In relation to SRHR and general wellbeing, we conducted two ‘Kyoto’ convenings, which are safe spaces for intersex persons to have discussions on issues they are facing. We held two convenings with intersex persons on 24th October 2024, attended by 14 persons, and on 21st November 2024, attended by 12 persons.
In relation to safety and security, we held 4 dialogues with 63 individuals residing at or operating crisis shelters for KPs on safety, security and wellness. The dialogues were held on 4th October, 24th October, 26th November and 17th December. In addition, a first aid training was held with residents of one of the crisis shelters on 29th October 2024.
On human rights monitoring and documentation, HRAPF continued to work towards building the capacity of KP communities to effectively monitor the human rights situation for their peers in the areas where they work. In this regard, we held 3 trainings on monitoring and documentation, attended by a total of 84 persons. The first was held from 20th to 23rd October 2024; the second was held from 11th to 15th November 2024, and the 3rd from 2nd to 5th December. We also held a check-in meeting with 19 KP community monitors on 15th October 2024.
In the same period, HRAPF also held four engagements with the communities of sex workers on climate change, resilience and adaptation. These were held in recognition of, and in a bid to reduce, the unique vulnerability of sex workers to climate disasters. The first was held in Mbale on 23rd November, attended by 40 persons; the second was held in Kasese on 25th November, attended by 40 persons; the 3rd was held in Nakasongola on 28th November, attended by 40 persons; and the last one in Lira on 5th December, attended by 41 persons.
COMMUNITY PARALEGAL TRAINING PROGRAMME
PARALEGAL TRAININGS
HRAPF continued to empower communities to advance their rights through the training of peer leaders as community paralegals. In the final quarter of 2024, we conducted the first module of the training with 11 persons from the LBQ community.
Three paralegal refresher trainings were also held, from 1st to 3rd October 2024 with 20 KP paralegals; from 22nd to 24th October 2024 with 20 paralegals from the PWUIDs community; and from 15th to 17th October 2024 with 20 paralegals from the sex worker community.
Three paralegal refresher trainings were held as follows; on 1st-3rd October 2024 with KP paralegals; on 22nd-24th October 2024 with paralegals from the PWUIDs community; on 15th-17th October 2024 with paralegals from the sex worker community.
PARALEGAL OUTREACH SESSIONS
HRAPF also routinely supports community paralegals to conduct outreaches with their communities in order to share vital information on legal and human rights concerns they may be facing. In the 4th quarter of 2024, 2 such outreach sessions were conducted, the first in Mbale district on 28th November 2024, attended by 30 participants and the second in Lira district on 27th November 2024, attended by 26 participants.
PARALEGAL SHARING SESSIONS
Another strategy through which HRAPF routinely monitors and supports the work of community paralegals is through paralegal sharing sessions, usually held on quarterly basis with paralegals serving the different KP communities. In the 4th quarter of 2024, 4 sharing sessions were held. The 1st was held I the Western region on 21st November, attended by 10 participants; the second was held in the Eastern region on 29th November, attended by 15 paralegals; the third was held in the Northern region on 28th November, attended by 10 participants while the final session of the year was held with paralegal in the central region on 17th December, attended by 37 paralegals.
SUPPORT TO PARALEGALS TO FURTHER THEIR STUDIES
HRAPF continued to support one community paralegal to pursue their degree in Law at Cavendish University.
LEGAL AID CAMPS FOR MARGINALISED COMMUNITIES
In the period, we held 3 legal aid camps with KP communities. One was held on 16th October 2024 with 22 sex workers in Nakasongola district; the second was held on 6th November 2024 with 19 KPs in Lyantonde district and the last was held on 26th November 2024 with 21 PWUIDs and sex workers in Malaba.
INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT TO KEY POPULATION ORGANISATIONS
In the quarter, we supported 2 community-led organisations to register as companies limited by guarantee; supported 17 organisations to update their data in the online URSB company registration system (OBRS); 6 organisations to file various resolutions and 1 organisation to file annual returns.
HRAPF SECRETARIAT ACTIVITIES
STAFF BIRTHDAYS AND CELEBRATIONS
During the fourth quarter of 2024, we celebrated the birthdays of staff members born in October, November and December along with various personal and professional achievements. Among the highlights was the wedding celebration of Mr. Mark Anthony Ntwatwa, our Director of Administration and Operations. We also bid farewell to Ms. Bridgette Ankunda who was an intern under the Community Outreach Porgramme. To promote staff wellness, we organised a series of fun-filled activities, including the quarterly team building activity and the monthly staff recreational and team-building activities.
HRAPF END OF YEAR STAFF PARTY
As the year came to a close, the HRAPF team gathered for the much-anticipated end-of-year staff party on 19th December 2024. It was an eventful day filled with music, dance, and heartfelt conversations as colleagues reconnected, reflected on the year’s achievements, and looked forward to the future. The prestigious Staff of the Year Award was presented to Francis Xavier Bagonza, the Director of Grants Management, in recognition of his dedication and exceptional contributions to the organisation. The Most Improving Staff Award was given to Alice Nambalirwa, a Legal Officer, for her remarkable growth and commitment to excellence.
The festivities continued with the much-loved Secret Santa gift exchange, a tradition that brought excitement and surprise as staff members exchanged thoughtful gifts.
The festivities continued with the much-loved Secret Santa gift exchange, a tradition that brought excitement and surprise as staff members exchanged thoughtful gifts.
Credits:
Created with images by sebra - "Justice lady close up view" • MQ-Illustrations - "Paralegal. Close-up of a Lady Justice statue. Law and lawyer symbol. Figure stands in front of paper with text."