The existing law in Uganda criminalizes homosexuality, and Ugandans can face up to life in prison for engaging in homosexual acts. Lesbian, gay, bisexual,transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) Ugandans and their supporters face severe marginalization and continue to suffer from widespread discrimination, arbitrary arrests and detention, “correctional” rape, and hate crime violence, including murder.

In 2010, Julius Kaggwa, an advocate for the human rights of sexual minorities in Uganda and throughout Africa, received Human Rights First’s annual human rights award. Human Rights First understands that gay rights are human rights, and, in coalition with others, we have been making the case that the U.S. government should publicly denounce this “Kill the Gays” bill and support LGBTI rights.