Gender DynamiX, the only organisation focusing exclusively on the rights of transgendered people in Africa strongly condemns the arrest of three LGBTI activists, one of which is transgendered, on Wednesday, 4 June 2008 in Uganda and calls on the Ugandan Government for their immediate and unconditional release.
 
Onziema Patience, (28), Valentine Kalende (27) and Auf (26) were attending the 2008 International HIV/AIDS Implementer’s Meeting in Kampala, Uganda, and were arrested while raising awareness for the plight of LGBT people living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda.

Three Ugandan LGBT activists have been arrested following a peaceful protest at the HIV/AIDS Implementer’s Meeting currently underway in Kampala, Uganda.

These activists were peacefully protesting at the meeting to draw attention to the plight of lesbian, gay and transgender people in Uganda in the context of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The Ugandan government criminalises homosexuality and refuses to support HIV/AIDS programmes for lesbian, gay and transgender men and women in that country.

Human Rights Groups Demand Immediate Release


Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) and the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) today condemned the arrests of three Ugandan LGBT activists and called for their immediate and unconditional release.  The three --Onziema Patience, (an FTM transgender, 28), Valentine Kalende (female, age 27) and Auf (male, age 26)--were arrested yesterday morning by the Uganda Police Force at the 2008 HIV/AIDS Implementers’ Meeting currently taking place in Kampala, Uganda.  Along with other LGBT and HIV and AIDS activists, they were peacefully protesting statements made by a Ugandan government official that no funds would be directed toward HIV programs targeting men who have sex with men. SMUG and IGLHRC have fears for the safety of the three activists.

A transsexual woman was recently refused access to the female ablution facilities at a caravan park in Newcastle Kwa Zulu Natal.

SABC news reported that Ms Michelle van der Merwe says she was discriminated against. It was reported that Ms Van Der Merwe plans to take her case to the Constitutional Court.