Profile in Courage: Let’s Walk Uganda Founder Champions Queer Ugandans’ Rights

For over a decade now, Uganda has waged a war against gender and sexual minorities. Through the inflammatory rhetoric of the country’s religious and political leadership, many LGBTQIA+ Ugandans have been impacted, with some suffering violent attacks, while others have lost their lives. In the wake of such unremitting state-sponsored violence, many Ugandans have taken up the mantle of being their brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, opening and running shelters for displaced LGBTQIA+ individuals, or running organizations that not only disseminate much-needed information to grassroots movements, but also connect such movements to the world, and maintain allyship with the greater global struggle for human rights.

Among such courageous individuals is Edwin Mutebi. As the founder of Lets Walk Uganda, Mutebi’s continued commitment to the struggle for equal rights in Uganda is informed by a traumatic past. In conversation with Piquing Duck, Mutebi shares his journey of activism, and shares the heartbreaking facts of the reality on the ground for many LGBTQIA+ individuals in Uganda.

Editor’s Note

For those who don’t know you, please introduce yourself.

My name is Mutebi Edward, and I am a Ugandan national. My preferred pronouns are he/him. I am the Founding Director of Let’s Walk Uganda, Chairperson of the Board of Directors, and currently serve as the international Coordinator for the organization. I have been in this position for 2 years now. In this role, I have been dedicated to fostering positive change and development within the organization, and I am committed to furthering our mission on an international scale, through collaboration with other organizations and advocacy.

When was Let’s Walk Uganda founded and what inspired its founding?

Let’s Walk Uganda was officially founded in 2015 and subsequently registered in 2016. The inspiration behind its founding stems from a deeply personal experience. In 2014, I, as an innocent queer young person, was unjustly arrested, and the subsequent abuses and hardships I endured ignited a fervent determination to advocate for the LGBTQ community. Witnessing and experiencing such injustices ignited a passion within me to prevent others from enduring similar ordeals. Additionally, recognizing the significant gaps in access to essential services for the queer community at that time, I was motivated to establish Let’s Walk Uganda to address these deficiencies.

Our organization has since endeavored to bridge these gaps, and one notable achievement includes the establishment of the first openly queer shelter during that period. The founding of Let’s Walk Uganda was not only a response to personal adversity but also a proactive step toward creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for the LGBTQ community, driving our ongoing commitment to championing their rights and well-being.

Who does Let’s Walk Uganda primarily serve and how does the organization go about in its outreach activities?

Let’s Walk Uganda primarily serves marginalized individuals, with a specific focus on the LGBTQ+ community. However, our outreach extends to people from diverse backgrounds, including the youth and the elderly. We are dedicated to advocating for and supporting the rights and well-being of all individuals who face marginalization and discrimination.

In our outreach activities, we prioritize collaboration and partnerships with other community organizations. Through these alliances, we can effectively reach and support a wide spectrum of the community, ensuring that our services and advocacy efforts are inclusive and comprehensive. By working in tandem with other organizations, we can leverage resources, share expertise, and coordinate outreach initiatives to maximize our impact.

This collaborative approach allows us to engage with individuals who may otherwise be underserved and to address a broad range of challenges faced by the marginalized communities we serve. Our commitment to inclusivity and collaboration underscores our holistic approach to advocacy, support, and outreach, enabling us to make a meaningful and sustainable difference in the lives of those we serve.

How, especially in the current political climate, is the organization able to conduct its activities safely? Have you or any of the people who work for or with the organization faced any threats to your safety and lives? How have you countered these challenges and threats?

In the current political climate, our organization has faced significant challenges in conducting our activities safely, particularly due to the existence of the Anti-Homosexuality Act which criminalizes and outlaws our work. Despite the potential threats to our safety and lives, we have chosen to persevere in our mission to serve the community we are dedicated to. We firmly believe that if we were to succumb to fear and cease our efforts, many lives would be left in jeopardy, and thus, we are resolute in our commitment to continue our work.

To navigate these challenges, we have implemented a well-designed security-sensitive team coordination approach, which has allowed us to operate as safely as possible in the current environment. Furthermore, in response to the heightened risks, we have shifted a significant portion of our operations online, while still maintaining accessible physical office spaces. This approach has enabled us to mitigate some of the security threats while remaining connected to the communities we serve.

It’s important to emphasize the incredible resilience of our team, who have demonstrated unwavering dedication in the face of adversity. Their commitment has been instrumental in enabling us to continue our work despite the obstacles we have encountered. While the environment in which we operate presents ongoing challenges, we remain steadfast in our resolve to serve the needs of the community, and we are continuously evaluating and adapting our approach to ensure the safety of all involved.

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For those who might not know, what was the situation in Uganda like before the amplification of homophobic rhetoric in the early 2010s? Was Uganda a safe place for gender and sexual minorities? If so, then how?

Before the amplification of homophobic rhetoric in the early 2000s, Uganda had a relatively less hostile environment for gender and sexual minorities. Prior to the influence of evangelical missionaries from the USA, such as Scott Lively, there was less attention given to homosexuality, and it is believed that a more favorable climate existed for the LGBTQ community. The topic of homosexuality was not widely discussed, and there was less pervasive discrimination and violence targeting LGBTQ individuals.

However, the situation began to change with the introduction and spread of homophobic teachings and propaganda by evangelical missionaries, particularly from the Anglican church. This led to a significant shift in public attitudes toward the LGBTQ community, fuelling increased hostility and discrimination. The impact of this rhetoric was devastating, leading to a rise in anti-LGBTQ sentiments and actions.

This shift was exemplified by the tragic murder of LGBTQ activist David Kato, who was targeted and killed because of his advocacy for LGBTQ rights. Furthermore, the introduction of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, often referred to as the “Kill the Gay” law, in 2013 marked a drastic turn for the worse. The bill proposed severe penalties, including life imprisonment for homosexual acts, and even the death penalty in certain cases. Although the law was annulled in 2014 on procedural grounds, its introduction and the subsequent public discourse surrounding it highlighted the increasingly hostile environment for LGBTQ individuals in Uganda.

How did the LGBTQIA+ community in Uganda initially view the entrance of so-called Pastor Scott  Lively and his homophobic teachings into the Ugandan public conscience? Did those in the activism space at the time believe that he would be as effective at opening the anti-LGBT floodgates in Uganda?

The entrance of so-called Pastor Scott Lively and his homophobic teachings into the Ugandan public conscience was initially met with deep concern and alarm by the LGBTQIA+ community and activists in Uganda. Lively’s extreme anti-LGBTQ agenda posed a clear and imminent threat to the safety and rights of LGBTQ individuals in Uganda.

Activists at the time recognized the potential for Lively’s teachings to inflame existing prejudices and incite violence against the LGBTQ community, and they feared that it could open the floodgates to even more severe persecution and discrimination. The activism community mobilized to push back against Lively’s dangerous agenda, recognizing the urgent need to counteract his harmful influence.

Tragically, the resistance to Lively’s teachings came at a heavy cost, as demonstrated by the murder of prominent activist David Kato, highlighting the grave risks and sacrifices made by those fighting for LGBTQ rights in Uganda.

What was the immediate reaction to the sudden increase of overt homophobia in Uganda at the time, in the lead-up to the first proposed anti-homosexuality law?

The sudden increase of overt homophobia in Uganda before the first proposed anti-homosexuality law sparked fear and prompted high rates of internal and external displacement within the LGBTQ community. However, it also galvanized unity, strong resistance, and resilience that persists to this day.

Activists and supporters mobilized to condemn the discrimination, with international organizations and allies joining the cause. Despite facing significant challenges, the LGBTQ community in Uganda continues to stand resilient, advocating for their rights and challenging the oppressive environment, showcasing remarkable strength in the face of adversity.

In the intervening time, some high-profile activists at the time were attacked and some were killed. Were the attackers and murders ever brought to justice to the best of your knowledge?

I have never read any report from the Ugandan police that explains the murders and attacks on the LGBTQ activist. I have never heard of any justice served for the community members who have been attacked, beaten, tortured, subjected to Forced Anal Examination, and wrongful detentions among others. I think such reports regarding the persecution of the LGBTQ+ people in Uganda, don’t exist.

Since then, how has LGBTQIA+ human rights activism been affected and what are the most acute challenges that those like you have faced?

LGBTQ activism has become riskier and riskier, as activists continue to live under fear, yet remain resilient in their pursuit of equality and justice. Targeted attacks, such as the recent harrowing incident involving Steven Kabuye, underscore the grave risks activists face. The attack on Kabuye, in which he was stabbed in the stomach, serves as a stark reminder of the physical dangers activists confront.

Moreover, ongoing discrimination, legal barriers, and social stigmatization create a hostile environment for LGBTQ+ activists. The struggle for visibility, acceptance, and legal protection remains an uphill battle. Despite these challenges, the unwavering determination of activists has driven progress, but much work still lies ahead to ensure the safety and rights of LGBTQ+ individuals globally.

After the passing of the latest anti-LGBT bill into law in May 2023, the World Bank announced it would suspend any further financing to Uganda, while the US imposed travel restrictions and sanctions on certain high-profile political figures, while other countries and organizations have taken countermeasures in response. Do you believe such moves are helpful or effective? What more can be done to apply pressure on the Ugandan government to amend if not entirely, scrap the draconian anti-LGBT law?

While it’s true that sanctions, such as financial restrictions, can have broader impacts on a country’s population, including LGBTQ individuals, they are important tools in deterring governments from violating human rights. In the case of Uganda’s anti-LGBT law, targeted sanctions can apply pressure on the government to reconsider its stance and annul the discriminatory legislation. Additionally, these measures send a clear message to other African countries considering similar laws, demonstrating the international community’s stance on human rights and equality.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni implied that Ugandans seeking asylum in other countries are fakes, while according to information provided by the UK Home Office, the majority of Ugandan asylum seekers do so on the grounds of sexual orientation. What is your take on this?

The high number of Ugandan asylum seekers citing sexual orientation as grounds for seeking asylum reflects the harsh reality faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in Uganda. The Ugandan government’s history of persecution and discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community has forced many to flee in search of safety and acceptance.

The risks they take, including seeking asylum in neighboring countries like Kenya where their rights are even further violated demonstrate the genuine threat they face at home. President Museveni’s implication that these asylum seekers are “fakes” overlooks the genuine dangers and injustices they confront. It’s clear that these individuals are seeking protection from a government that has failed to safeguard their fundamental rights and well-being.

Many Queer Ugandans fleeing the country due to their sexuality have ended up in neighboring countries like Kenya, and in refugee camps like Kakuma. What is their situation while in such camps? And what can be done to improve their conditions?

The situation for LGBTQ refugees in Kakuma is dire and unimaginably worrying. According to a report by Amnesty International in 2023, these refugees face terrible, dehumanizing conditions, including instances of rape targeting lesbian women. Furthermore, the UNHCR in Kenya has failed LGBTQ individuals, with reports of officials refusing to register new cases based on sexuality. This has forced some LGBTQ people to take riskier routes to Somalia, where they hope the UNHCR will easily recognize their asylum status.

To improve their conditions, immediate action is necessary. The UNHCR and other humanitarian organizations must prioritize the safety and well-being of LGBTQ refugees, ensuring they receive proper protection, support, and access to essential services. Additionally, there is a critical need for increased advocacy and international pressure to address the discrimination and mistreatment faced by LGBTQ individuals in refugee camps.

Since Uganda declared a public war on homosexuality, many other African countries that had already criminalized homosexuality have followed suit, enacting far more draconian laws like Nigeria and Ghana, while others are contemplating changing their laws. Why do you think anti-LGBT movements have gained such momentum across the continent and what do you believe their desired outcome is?

The anti-LGBT movements in Africa have gained momentum due to the lack of a clear strategy to counteract their influence. The proliferation of draconian laws criminalizing homosexuality across the continent indicates their success in shaping policy. Their desired outcome is to suppress and stigmatize LGBT individuals, perpetuating discrimination, and denying them basic rights.

The absence of a robust opposition has emboldened these movements, leading to their expansion. To counter this, a comprehensive strategy encompassing legal, social, and educational initiatives is crucial to protect the rights and dignity of the LGBT community in Africa.

The world learned of Steven Kabuye’s gruesome attack. What are the current statistics, if there are any, on homophobic attacks in Uganda? How many others have been brutally attacked or lost their lives due to such attacks?

I currently have no clear statistic but the numbers are most likely very high on various counts.

Currently, many of the liberal Western countries that otherwise support gender and sexual minority rights in the global south are welcoming far-right conservative governments into power. How do you feel this will affect the overall LGBT rights movement in Africa, if at all?

The rise of far-right political forces in Europe is indeed concerning, as it could have a detrimental impact on the global LGBT rights movement, including in Africa. International solidarity plays a crucial role in advancing LGBTQ rights, and the support of liberal Western countries is significant.

If far-right conservative governments undermine these values, it may embolden anti-LGBTQ sentiments in Africa and weaken support for the movement. The influence of European politics on global perceptions and policies cannot be underestimated, and a shift toward conservatism in Europe could indeed hinder progress for LGBTQ people and activism in Africa.

What would you like to let the world know about what Queer Ugandans are currently going through and how can they help?

LGBTQ+ Ugandans are facing intensified persecution, discrimination, and violence due to the government’s crackdown on LGBTQ rights. International solidarity and support are crucial—raising awareness, advocating for policy change, and providing resources to grassroots organizations can make a difference. LGBTQ communities in Africa must also develop innovative strategies to counter growing homophobia, including building alliances, leveraging social media, and advocating for legal protections.

It’s imperative for the global community to stand in solidarity with Queer Ugandans and support their fight for equality and safety, amplifying their voices and empowering local efforts to effect change. Its should be noted that the law in Uganda is a test for so many countries in Africa that are watching and studying the situation and the global reaction. If we let the government of Uganda win with this law and it gets retained, let us expect many more laws to mushroom in the continent.

_{Photos: Courtesy of Edwin Mutebi}