Dear Reader
We are delighted to share the 20th edition of the HRAPF Spotlight Newsletter; a significant milestone that reflects our continued commitment to documenting, amplifying, and advancing human rights work. This edition showcases the key results from our programmes and updates on our ongoing efforts to promote and protect the rights of marginalised communities in the last quarter of 2025. (October to December 2025). Throughout this period, HRAPF remained steadfast in advancing human rights through its core programmes: Access to Justice, the Centre on Law and Marginalisation, Health Rights, and Community Outreach. 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 challenges as well as women and girls living with or affected by HIV/AIDS.
Out of the total cases handled in the period;
In responding to the cases reported in the four quarter of 2025, the HRAPF team carried out a number of interventions including representing clients before different courts of law, following up on cases at various police stations, mediations, legal drafting, and providing legal advice and guidance.
DOCUMENTATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS
All cases handled during the period were thoroughly documented, with 73 incidents of human rights violations recorded. Of these, 59 were committed against LGBTI persons, 10 against sex workers, and 4 against PWUIDs. The most common violations included arbitrary arrests, prolonged detention especially for PWUID clients during the pre-election period, discrimination, and inhumane or degrading treatment, often manifesting as physical assaults and threats of violence, particularly within the sex workers' community.
UPDATE ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION SINCE THE ENACTMENT OF THE ANTI-HOMOSEXUALITY ACT, 2023 (AHA)
December 2025 marked two and a half 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 services, including providing emergency shelter, medical and mental health support for victims of violence and violations on the basis of real or presumed SOGIE. In October 2025, HRAPF reported 56 cases, a decrease from 60 cases reported in September, with 15 cases (26.8%) involving discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression (SOGIE). The number of victims of these violations also reduced from 41 in September to 24 in October 2025. Among the SOGIE-related incidents of violence and human rights violations reported in October, 7 were acts of violence affecting 8 individuals, 3 were arrests for sexuality-related reasons involving 11 individuals, 3 were evictions, and 2 cases involved other acts of discrimination. Notably, a witch hunt against perceived gay students occurred at Makerere University, Uganda's oldest and largest public university, between October and November 2025, creating a safety crisis for suspected LGBTQ students, although the University administration later took action to mitigate this situation. In November 2025, a total of 55 cases were handled, representing a slight reduction from the 56 cases recorded in October 2025. Of these, 21 cases (38%) involved actions that directly targeted individuals for negative treatment on the basis of their SOGIE. These violations affected 27 persons, marking an increase from the 24 individuals affected by SOGIE-based violence and human rights violations in October 2025. During the month of December, a total of 38 cases were handled, representing a significant reduction from the 55 cases handled in November 2025. Of these, eight (8) cases involved actions that directly targeted individuals on the basis of their SOGIE, accounting for 21% of all cases handled during the month. The victims of these violations were eight (8) individuals, a significant reduction from the 27 persons affected by SOGIE-based violence and human rights violations in November 2025.
LINKS TO THE FULL REPORTS BELOW
CENTER ON LAW AND MARGINALISATION
STRATEGIC LITIGATION
During the period, the most significant event under strategic litigation involved Consolidated Constitutional Petitions No. 25 of 2020 (HRAPF v AG) and No. 20 of 2018 (CEHURD v AG), in which the Constitutional Court delivered judgment on 14th November 2025. By a majority of 3 to 2, the petitions were dismissed, thus upholding Uganda’s legal and policy position on abortion regulation. Despite this setback, HRAPF and partners welcomed the dissenting judgment, which was rooted in national, regional and international human rights principles and established jurisprudence. In partnership with Center for Health, Human Rights and Development (CEHURD), 2 legal strategising meetings were held to discuss this case, and a notice of appeal generated and filed.
In the period, HRAPF also followed up on other ongoing strategic cases;
- In the case of Kasha Jacqueline & Others v Attorney General & Others (Civil Appeal No. 195 of 2014), a legal strategising meeting was held with the lawyers handling the case. Clients and partners were updated on the progress of the appeal, and the legal team attended the Court of Appeal hearing on 31st October 2025. Judgment in this case is set to be delivered on notice.
- The team also followed up on the AHA appeal, that is, Supreme Court Constitutional Appeal No. 007 of 2024 (Hon. Fox Odoi & 21 Others v AG & 3 Others). Three legal strategising meetings were conducted with lawyers and community members on 3rd, 4th, and 5th December 2025 to provide updates on the appeal's progress. Additionally, two meetings addressing the implications of the Constitutional Court judgment were held on 5th November 2025 in Arua district with 27 participants and on 6th November 2025 in Gulu district with 24 participants.
THE HEALTH RIGHTS PROGRAMME
WORKSHOPS WITH OFFICERS FROM THE UGANDA PRISONS SERVICE As part of efforts to enhance access to stigma-free HIV/TB services for key populations in prison settings, HRAPF conducted three workshops for officers from the Uganda Prisons Service as follows;
- On 26th November 2025 in Mubende district with 17 prison officers.
- On 28th November 2025 in Luweero district with 22 prison officers.
- On 9th December 2025 in Iganga district with 20 prison officers.
The workshops focused on strengthening officers’ understanding of the health needs and rights of Key Populations, while promoting the delivery of non-discriminatory, rights-based HIV/TB services within custodial environments.
WORKSHOPS WITH HEALTH WORKERS HRAPF conducted one workshop with health workers on climate change and its impact on access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services for Key Populations. The workshop was held in Bundibugyo District on 31st October 2025 and was attended by 20 health workers. The workshop strengthened awareness of climate-related barriers to SRHR service delivery.
STAKEHOLDER DIALOGUES ON THE RIGHTS OF KPS
DIALOGUES WITH DISTRICT LEADERS HRAPF conducted two high-level dialogues with key decision-makers at the district level to advance discussions on access to quality, stigma-free and friendly health services for Key Populations. The first dialogue was held in Ibanda District on 30th October 2025, with 26 participants, followed by a second dialogue in Lyantonde District on 31st October 2025, attended by 29 stakeholders. The dialogues aimed to raise awareness among key stakeholders on the rights of Key Populations, examine existing policy gaps affecting access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services in Uganda, and explore possible interventions and practices to improve access to SRHR services for Key Populations.
DIALOGUES WITH LOCAL LEADERS In an effort to strengthen collaboration and mutual understanding between communities and local leaders, HRAPF conducted five dialogues with local council leaders and other stakeholders on the human rights issues affecting sex workers, particularly in relation to access to health services, marginalisation, discrimination and protection from violence. The dialogues were conducted as follows;
- On 31st October, 2025 in Fort Portal district with 30 stakeholders.
- On 6th November 2025 in Kamengo, attended by 35 stakeholders.
- On 27th November, 2025 in Nakulabye with 29 stakeholders.
- On 28th November, 2025 in Bwaise with 33 stakeholders.
- On 12th December, 2025 in Luwero district with 30 stakeholders.
DIALOGUES WITH THE EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES COMMISSION AND UGANDA HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION HRAPF convened dialogues with staff from the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) and the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) to discuss the legal, policy, social, and structural barriers that limit access to equal opportunities for Key Population (KP) persons in Uganda. The dialogues were conducted as follows;
- In Kampala with EOC staff on 16th October 2025 and attended by 33 participants.
- In Gulu district with UHRC staff on 18th November 2025 attended by 18 participants.
- In Mbale district with UHRC staff on 20th November 2025 attended by 17 participants.
The dialogues strengthened participants’ understanding of marginalisation, human rights, and the specific rights of KP communities, while also providing a platform to reinforce collaboration between HRAPF, the EOC, and the UHRC in advancing the rights of Key Populations.
OTHER ADVOCACY ENGAGEMENTS
AWARENESS SESSIONS WITH KP COMMUNITIES ON THE MANDATE OF THE EOC AND UHRC HRAPF conducted an awareness session with representatives of key population (KP) communities to deepen understanding of the mandates and roles of the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) and the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC). The sessions were conducted as follows;
- In Mbarara district on 28th October 2025 attended by 21 participants.
- In Masaka district on 29th October 2025 attended by 20 participants.
- In Mbale district on 6th November 2025 attended by 20 participants.
- In Jinja district on 7th November 2025 attended by 18 participants.
The awareness sessions addressed gaps in community knowledge on how to access these institutions and use their mechanisms to respond to discrimination and human rights violations. Participants were equipped with practical information on engaging the EOC and UHRC to seek redress, protection, and promote equality.
RESEARCH AND PUBLICATIONS
THE COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMME
LEGAL AND HUMAN RIGHTS AWARENESS FOR MARGINALISED COMMUNITIES
AWARENESS SESSION WITH KPs
During the period, HRAPF conducted five awareness sessions with sex workers focusing on the legal and policy framework governing their rights and the increased human rights violations they continue to face. The sessions were conducted as follows;
- In Kassanda district on 28th October 2025 with 24 persons.
- In Mubende district on 29th October 2025 attended by 54 persons.
- In Fort portal city on 30th October 2025 attended by 48 persons.
- In Kabale district on 4th November 2025 attended by 42 persons.
- In Apac district on 11th November 2025 attended by 57 persons.
During the period, HRAPF also conducted 3 awareness sessions with sexual and gender minorities, focusing on key human rights concerns and access to protection and services. One session was held with intersex persons and parents of intersex minors in Kiryandongo district on 14th November 2025, attended by 28 persons. 2 awareness sessions were also held in Isingiro district on 5th and 6th November 2025, with 48 KPs residing in the Nakivale Refugee Settlement. During the period, HRAPF also conducted two awareness sessions with persons who use and inject drugs (PWUIDs), focusing on key rights-related issues and access to appropriate services. The sessions were conducted in Nansana on 7th November 2025 with 27 persons, and in Kigumba on 13th November 2025 with 27 persons.
LEGAL AID CAMPS
During the period, HRAPF also conducted six legal aid camps with sex workers and PWUIDs, providing access to legal information, support and referrals. The legal aid camps were conducted as follows;
- In Kumi district on 19th November 2025 with 21 sex workers.
- In Buikwe district on 20th November 2025 with 20 PWUIDs.
- In Kampala district on 21st November 2025 with 23 PWUIDs.
- In Bugiri district on 2nd December 2025 with 22 sex workers.
- In Dokolo district on 2nd December 2025 with 20 sex workers.
- In Malaba district on 3rd December 2025 with 21 PWUIDs.
In addition, we also conducted one legal aid camp with 25 intersex persons on 5th November 2025 in Mbarara district.
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.
- HRAPF held seven meetings on safety and security with residents of KP crisis shelters. These meetings focused on strategies to enhance personal and collective safety in response to increasing risks faced by KPs.
- In an effort to build the resilience of marginalised communities to adapt to climate related disruptions, HRAPF conducted three trainings on climate resilient urban farming for three crisis shelters and 1 sex worker-led organisation. All four organisations were also supported to set up urban gardens within their own spaces.
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 serving various KP communities.
During the fourth quarter of 2025, three regional paralegal sharing sessions were conducted as follows;
- In Mbale district on 1st December 2025 attended by 17 paralegals.
- In Gulu district on 3rd December 2025 attended by 19 paralegals.
- In Mbarara district on 4th December 2025 attended by 28 paralegals
We also conducted a joint annual paralegal sharing session in Kampala district on 11th December 2025 attended by 62 paralegals. The best performing paralegals of the year 2025 were recognised and awarded.
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, Uganda.
We also supported one community paralegal to continue their studies at the Law Development Center, where they are pursuing a Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice.
INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT TO KEY POPULATION ORGANISATIONS
During the quarter, HRAPF supported 10 organisations to file their annual returns. Additionally, two organisations were facilitated to file resolutions. We also carried out courtesy visits to six KP partner organisations in the quarter and attended nine events organised by partner organisations.
HRAPF SECRETARIAT ACTIVITIES
STAFF BIRTHDAYS AND CELEBRATIONS
During the fourth quarter of 2025, we held recreational activities, a fire drilling training for staff and also celebrated the birthdays of staff members born in October, November and December.
In the period we also bid farewell to two clerkship students; Peter Katusabe and Gorreth Nabanoba from the Law Development Center.
HRAPF staff also participated in the LASPNET Access to Justice Run 2025.
HRAPF END OF YEAR STAFF PARTY
HRAPF held its end of the year staff party on 19th December 2025. During the celebrations, staff exchanged secret santa gifts and also participated in team bonding exercises. Saidah Nakilima, the Director of Programmes, was recognised as Staff of the Year, while Emmanuel Mweteise, the Community Paralegal in charge of the Western Regional Legal Aid Desk, received the award for Most Improved Staff of the Year. HRAPF also honoured long-serving staff members Denis Kisubi, a Senior Driver and Community Paralegal, and Andrew Martin Mubiru, an Office Assistant, in recognition of their 10 years of dedicated service to the organisation. The celebration reaffirmed HRAPF’s appreciation of its staff, whose commitment and resilience continue to drive the organisation’s mission forward.
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