Court Rules that All Ugandans Have Right to Privacy and Dignity

Boost to Constitutional Rights and Protection of Sexual and Other Minorities

01/03/2011

IGLHRC believes that a vital part of our mission is supporting the work of activist organizations and allies by disseminating important information on human rights issues affecting LGBT communities worldwide. To this end we are posting this article.

On my own behalf, my two colleagues- David Kato and Pepe Onziema, and the entire LGBT community of Uganda, we would like to welcome the verdict of this case. It has taken courage and bravery for us to stand up for injustice. The support from the Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights and Constitutional Law, our families, and allies near and far cannot go unnoticed.

This verdict has shown that indeed, justice is possible in this world and more so in this country. Coming from a marginalized community, many people have taken advantage of our oppression to satisfy their political, economic, and social greed and bigotry. We are victims of oppression in so many ways. And for being just who we are, many have turned us into instruments of oppression. But we refuse to be silent. The stories of people fighting against injustice have always been about a minority because social justice struggles are fought by a minority for a majority.

The court verdict today reminded us all that Uganda is no place for hatred and impunity. Irresponsible journalism has no place in this country. The Rolling Stone tabloid and its editors may not have anticipated that they would be victims of their own actions but we would never wish for or call for them be “hanged.” A media that is based on untruthfulness is an enemy of the nation. Let this be the beginning of responsible journalism for justice and equality.

On December 10, 2010, the UN Secretary General- Ban Ki Moon called on all countries to decriminalize homosexuality during his key Human Rights Day address. Mr. Ban Ki Moon said the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the U.N. General Assembly on Dec. 10, 1948, "is not called the 'partial' declaration of human rights. It is not the 'sometimes' declaration of human rights. It is the universal declaration, guaranteeing all human beings their basic human rights - without exception."

Again, I would like to thank all those who continue to walk the journey of freedom with us. You are the true heroes and sheroes. Let Justice Reign.

I thank you.

By Kasha Jacqueline Executive Director Freedom and Roam Uganda, the only exclusively Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender women’s rights organization on behalf of the entire LGBTI community of Uganda.