Introduction.
Let’s Walk Uganda’s Weekly News Brief is our take on what Ugandan Key Population updates are worth
your time. The News Brief updates our partners and allies about the progress of our organization activities,
summarized as, Internal Developments. The News Brief also provides a curated perspective on events
happening within the Ugandan Key Population, summarized as, External Developments. Given the
rapidly changing landscape, we decided to make it more widely available. We also aim to keep it smart,
efficient; worthy of your time, attention and trust.
Internal Developments
1. Let’s Walk Uganda continues to see young MSM grow through its care as we successfully helped
another one of our members access a youth loan that helped him acquire a motorcycle. LWUganda
will also no longer be covering his accommodation costs as he is now independent enough to rent
on his own. These efforts are in line with our mission to empower young MSM economically.
2. Let’s Walk Uganda extends our sincere appreciation to Men Of The Night team for the basic needs
support provided to our members as access to food has the power to break the cycle of poverty and
hunger in an effort to save lives ofMSM minorities. We thank you! We love you!
3. Let’s Walk Uganda participated in a sports engagement meeting with Tomorrow Women in Sports
Foundation and Rella Women’s Foundation in an effort to create more LGBTQ sports events within
our community. We will keep you updated on our developments in this regard.
4. Let’s Walk Uganda also paid a courtesy visit to Hope Mbale in our efforts to strengthen
partnerships with our allies. Ideas were shared and exchanged between both parties that are in line
with growing our advocacy movement for MSMminorities in Uganda.
5. Let’s Walk Uganda is engaging in active distribution of HIV consumables such as condoms and
lubricants in an effort to increase sexual health awareness within in the MSM community. We also
partner with our health organization allies to enable free distribution of OralQuick Self-testing kits
and PrEP refills.
External Developments
1. Wave Of Legacy Alliance Initiative partnered with The AIDs Support Organization (TASO) Entebbe to
conduct an outreach on HIV testing, counselling and distribution of condoms to enable their members
access HIV/STI services.
2. Rainbow Mirrors Uganda (RMU) have moved from their former office premises in Salaama,
Munyonyo and are now located in Bukoto offKisaasi road next to Bukoto Apartments. RMU continues
to promote, protect and advance young trans-women sex workers’ human rights in Uganda.
3. The Coalition for Health Promotion and Social Development
(HEPS Uganda), the International
Community ofWomen Living with HIV Eastern Africa (ICWEA), Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG)
and key stakeholders in the HIV response including MOH, UAC, PEPFAR, UNAIDS, CSOs Launched
the Community Led Monitoring Program tagged as “IRAKA LY’ABANTU” – Community Actions for
Health. The program puts the service recipients at the center of advocacy.
4. JEEWAG Uganda received support from Uganda Network of Sex worker led Organizations (UNESO),
for its members in Katosi landing site, Kisoga, where 17 sex workers managed to get food relief and
sanitizers.
5. UNESO team also convened a stakeholders’ dialogue meeting in Gulu district targeting key health
workers, sex workers and human rights defenders. The meeting was aimed at orienting stakeholders
about the Joint Advocacy for Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights – JAS Programme and to discuss
better ways ofworking together to promote and improve access to SRHR services among sex workers.
6. Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) paid a courtesy visit to Icebreakers Uganda (IBU) and spoke to
them about the innovative ways on how to provide services to the LGBTIQ community in Uganda
during the Covid-19. Service delivery at IBU has also now gotten better with introduction of toll free
line. They can now be contacted for free on telephone number 0800333177 for any inquiries.
7. Dr. Frank Mugisha, The Executive Director of SMUG, also urged the 20 Children Of The Sun (COSF
20) members who were incarcerated during the Covid-19 lockdown to go for therapy sessions
diligently as advised by the mental health care experts working with them. More on this in the link
https://sexualminoritiesuganda.com/sexual-minorities-uganda-visits-children-of-the-sun/
8. The ChiefMagistrates Court ofWakiso issued criminal summons to the Chairman Local Council III of
Kyengera Town Council, Hajj Abdul Kiyimba and Prisons Officer Philimon Woniala to answer charges
of torture and inhuman and degrading treatment meted out against the COSF-20. Human Rights
Awareness and Promotion Forum (HRAPF) believes that at least one of these processes will result in a
decision in favor of the COSF-20.
9. HRAPF also conducted a study in 2019 in collaboration with TranzNetwork Uganda on how the legal
and policy environment affects access to justice for gender minorities in Uganda. Gender minorities
face discrimination on the account of their identity. More to this in the link https://bit.ly/2EcmA6s
10. Initiative For Rescue Uganda (IRU) was facilitated by SMUG to pay a visit at Butabika hospital to one
of their clients who is suffering from depression and trauma after seven years in prison. IRU delivered
to the client basic needs and medication to support her quick recovery.
11. Come Out Post Test Club (COPTEC) conducted a weekend hotspot based testing service in Lukaya and
Lwengo district, targeting LGBTI within the region while providing health care services and promotion
of safer sex practices.
12. Women With A Mission launched a report on findings of the mapping exercise of People Who Use
Drugs (PWUDS) in hotspot districts of Mbale, Tororo, Busia and Malaba.The report yet to be
circulated.
13. Men Of The Night also successfully conducted an HIV Treatment Optimization Training in Mukono
that aims to improve on the access of HIV counseling and testing, PREP refills and enrollment, STI
treatment, management and promotion of safer sex
Prepared by
John Grace
General Manager
Let’s Walk Uganda
Email: lwuganda@gmail.com
Website: https://fb.com/LWUganda
Telephone: +256702906536