Sexual Minorities Uganda Executive Director Dr Frank Mugisha says that one man leapt out of the window of the fourth-floor and broken two spinal bones when police raided their celebration on the evening of August 4, 2016.
According to a statement from ethics minister Simon Lokodo, a group of LGBT members assembled at Venom Pub, Kabalagala, for a meeting without police clearance.
Uganda Police was subsequently alerted and the assembly was disbanded and the participants cautioned. Fr. Lokodo reported that no one was hurt or injured during the exercise.
“He is lying about the raid itself. His claim that no one was hurt and that the celebration was illegal are completely false.” says Asia Russell, the executive director of Health GAP, an HIV advocacy organization.
According to Asia Russell, who promises to continue dialoguing with government on issues concerning LGBTIs, a cabinet minister who publicly pledges to incite criminal acts, in this case, mob violence, has no place in government.
“Dr Frank Mugisha and SMUG Programs Director Mr Pepe Julian Onziema and other LGBTI persons were also beat up and tortured when police arrested them and locked them up at Kabalagala Police station,” Asia Russell claims.
Dr Frank Mugisha says that the man, who did not want his identity disclosed, needs at least Shs 17m for surgery.
Ug Christian News has learnt that the annual pride event was at risk of not going ahead as the funds could not be secured, however more than 2,500 members of activist group All Out donated to fund the week’s events.
The event was allegedly a pageant to crown Mr/Ms/Mx Uganda Pride. Police report that they had been told a “gay wedding” was taking place.
