HIV prevention advocates in Africa, Civil Society, and Communities condemn the signing of the Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill into law by President Museveni: Calls for dialogue

HIV prevention advocates, communities, and representatives of diverse health networks strongly condemn President Museveni’s recent ascent to the anti-homosexuality bill, which poses a severe threat to the fundamental principles of human rights and equity in Uganda. The decision to approve this bill is deeply troubling and sends a distressing message to not only the LGBTIQ+ community but also to human rights defenders, civil society, activists, and individuals worldwide who advocate for equity and justice. This legislation directly violates the rights to privacy, freedom of expression, and freedom of association enshrined in international human rights conventions, by depriving such rights, this legislation limits access to HIV services and thereby undermines Uganda’s efforts and progress towards ending HIV. We denounce any legislation that discriminates against or marginalizes any segment of society, including the LGBTIQ+ community.

Every person deserves to live free from discrimination, persecution, and violence, and their rights must be respected and upheld by their governments, as such, we communities and civil society call upon;

• We demand President Museveni and the Ugandan government immediately and unequivocally repeal the act, aligning with the obligations set forth in international human rights treaties that Uganda has willingly ratified.
• African leaders and the international community to initiate a meaningful dialogue with the Ugandan Government, urging them to reconsider this unjust and discriminatory legislation.
• We implore other African nations not to entertain legislations that undermine human rights and pose a grave risk to communities seeking vital health services, as such actions could hinder progress towards global goals.

About AfNHi:
Africa free of New HIV infections (AfNHi) is an African regional advocacy network dedicated to advancing advocacy, policy, regulatory, community engagement, and communications efforts that help accelerate biomedical HIV prevention research in Africa. The network began in 2012 as an extended exchange around the need to champion African-led advocacy in biomedical HIV prevention research among HIV Prevention advocates.

Signed by communities, HIV prevention advocates, young people, representatives of health networks, and Civil Society organizations, indicating their collective support.

1.  Activists Education and Development Centre (AEDC)
2.  Africa free of New HIV infections (AfNHi)
3.  AIpas
4. Advocacy for prevention of HIV and AIDS (APHA)
5. AVAC
6. Caribbean Centre for Human Rights
7. Consolation East Africa (CEA)
8. County government of kajiado
9. Civil Society Platform on Health in Africa (CiSPHA)
10. The Eastern Africa National Networks of AIDS and Health Service Organizations (EANNASO)
11. Feminists in Kenya
12. Global Fund Advocates Network – GFAN Africa
13. Global Health Visions
14. Global Justice Institute
15.  Glebia org
16. GNP+
17. Hope for Future Generations
18.  Impact Drivers
19.  IPM
20.  Key Affect Populations Alliance of Lesotho
21. Key Population Consortium of Kenya
22.  LEHA
23.  Mirror Arts
24.  Metropolitan Community Churches
25.  Nadharia Kenya
26. PEMA Kenya
27.  Positive Young Women Voices
28.  PYWV_LBQ WOMXN
29. Reproductive Health Network Kenya -RHNK
30.  Stephen Lewis Foundation
31. Tanzania AIDS Forum
32.  Tanzania Network of Women Living with HIV
33.  The Botswana Network on Ethics Law HIVAIDS
34.  The Queer Republic
35. Touch A Child Initiative
36.  Trans Alliance Anna Foundation Uganda
37.  Uganda Network of AIDS Service Organizations (UNASO)
38. Vijana pamoja
39. WACI Health
40.  Wits RHI, Johannesburg, South Africa
41.  Y+ Global
42.  YEM Kenya
43. Youth Advisory Council
44.  Youth Spaces Africa
45.  ZOOLOOh International