Ugandan CSOs denounce Trump’s discriminative and homophobic policies
Ugandan CSOs denounce Trump’s discriminative and homophobic policies
U.S government funding has long served as a lifeline for marginalised communities in Uganda enabling organizations to provide critical healthcare, advocacy, and community support for vulnerable populations.
With American Tax payers’ money at work in Uganda, consecutive United States administrations have always made it their business to ensure that it is serving the purpose and that those who misappropriate it are held accountable.
The country’s human rights landscape is already headed for an unprecedented crisis, as the impact of abrupt funding pauses and a range of discriminative policies by the Trump administration filter down into communities.
On 3rd February 2025, Civil Society Organizations including the Human Rights Awareness and Promotion Forum (HRAPF), COSF, UKPC, FARUG, UNESO, CEHURD among others convened in Kampala and collectively condemned Trump’s discriminative and homophobic policies noting that the move could destroy the long standing kinship between the two countries.
They also expressed concern over the fact that, in the absence of immediate alternative funding, the abrupt freeze of critical aid is going to end lives and destroy livelihoods.
The abrupt termination of programs such as USAID/Uganda Voices for Change and the suspension of PEPFAR initiatives have already caused devastating consequences.
The CSO representatives also used the meeting to examine the implications of Trump’s harmful Executive Orders to Uganda’s human rights situation and how the negative impact of the orders can be mitigated.
Beyond financial strain, the funding disruptions have triggered severe mental health challenges, heightened uncertainty around medication access, and exacerbated structural inequalities that disproportionately impact marginalised communities, especially the LGBTIQ+ communities.
“The rollback of U.S. Aid has emboldened discrimination and hostility toward the LGBTIQ+ and key populations communities, threatening legal protection and access to services” says Richard Lusimbo, the Director General of Uganda Key Populations Consortium (UKPC).
Targeted attacks on the Transgender and LGBTIQ+ Community have already happened, according to a report just published by the UKPC.
“The pause in funding raises further concerns that existing services tailored to vulnerable populations might be deprioritized or shut down, leaving trans and LGBTIQ+ persons particularly exposed to gaps in healthcare, legal protection, and psychosocial support” says the report which is titled No time to wait.
Homophobes in Uganda led by the Speaker of parliament Anita Among were the first to celebrate Thump’s victory, accusing the Biden administration of funding ‘homosexuals’ in Uganda.
With anti-LGBTQI+ regime in Kampala and anti-LGBTQI+ administration in Washington DC, the homophobes feel emboldened enough to go after gay and suspected gay persons without fear of being held accountable.
Flavia Zalwango, a Programs Director at HRAPF says there is likely to be more attacks on the LGBTQI+ community and lack of accountability especially on the side of the state because the biggest human rights defender in the names of the United States government is no more.
“In terms of implementation of human rights interventions, we are going to see a lot of issues of violations of human rights, but also this in a broader sense means that the U.S is not going to commit to making our country accountable in cases of these violations”.
One of the things that has always scared the Uganda regime is a statement from the U.S government condemning human rights violations, threatening action against such acts as well as taking action. Trump’s decision to withdraw funding gender diverse or gender inclusive programs means human rights advocates and the Ugandan people in general are now on their own.
“No more savior any more. No big brother watching” she noted.
Flavia does not expect much from the European Countries because according to her, they have been following America’s lead.
She says Trump’s dangerous policies means HRAPF, the organizations she is working with has lost over 40% of its budget.
HRAPF is a leading organization when it comes to documenting violations of the rights of LGBTQI+ persons in Uganda and providing free legal support to the victims of homophobic attacks.
Without enough funding, Flavia says; “I am looking at chaos”.
