UGANDA
Standing with Uganda. Supporting locally led change.
Following the passage of Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act in 2023, Out For Equality mobilized humanitarian support for LGBTQIA+ individuals facing heightened persecution, displacement and threats to their safety.
Our work has since evolved from direct emergency assistance toward supporting locally led organizations working to protect and strengthen LGBTQIA+ communities.
Historical humanitarian response | Ongoing partnerships
01 / HISTORICAL HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE
Standing with communities during a period of crisis.
Following the passage of Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act in 2023, LGBTQIA+ individuals faced increased threats, discrimination, displacement and uncertainty about their safety.
Out For Equality responded by providing direct humanitarian assistance and working alongside local organizations, shelters and international volunteers to help individuals facing immediate risks.
Our historical response included financial assistance for food and essential needs, support for shelters in Kampala, help obtaining documentation necessary to leave Uganda legally, and assistance with international relocation and resettlement into new communities.
This work represented an important chapter in Out For Equality’s commitment to protecting human dignity and supporting LGBTQIA+ people facing persecution.
While these direct emergency assistance activities are no longer offered, Out For Equality continues its work in Uganda through ongoing partnerships and support for locally led initiatives.
HISTORICAL ACTIVITIES / NO LONGER OFFERED
Responding to urgent humanitarian needs.
Immediate Humanitarian Assistance
Financial support for food and essential living needs for individuals experiencing hardship and displacement.
Safety & Documentation
Assistance with accessing shelter and obtaining the documentation needed to leave Uganda legally when remaining in the country presented serious safety concerns.
International Relocation & Resettlement
Support for individuals relocating internationally, including assistance with the transition and settling into new communities.
02 / PARTNER-REPORTED PROGRAMMING
The broader humanitarian response.
Impact through collaboration.
The broader humanitarian response in Uganda involved local organizations and initiatives working to protect, document and support LGBTQIA+ individuals during a period of heightened risk.
Partner-reported programming included mental health and psychosocial support, documentation of human-rights violations, and shelter and safety initiatives.
The following figures reflect achievements reported through external programming and different reporting periods. They should not be interpreted as totals for Out For Equality’s direct assistance or as measures of current services.
210+
Individuals reached through mental health and psychosocial support.
230+
Human-rights violations documented.
30+
Shelters encompassed by shelter and safety programming.
Figures reflect partner-reported programming across different reporting periods and are not cumulative totals of Out For Equality’s direct assistance.
03 / CURRENT ORGANIZATIONAL ENGAGEMENT
Our approach has evolved. Our commitment has not.
While Out For Equality’s direct emergency assistance, living-expense support, medical-expense assistance and international relocation activities are no longer offered, our commitment to Uganda continues.
Our approach has evolved. Today, we focus on supporting locally led organizations working directly with LGBTQIA+ communities in Uganda.
These organizations are closest to the communities they serve and are often best positioned to understand local needs, navigate challenging circumstances and provide meaningful support.
Through financial and strategic support, we seek to strengthen the capacity of local organizations to continue their work and respond to the needs of the communities they serve.
For security reasons, we do not publicly identify all of the organizations we currently support. In an environment where LGBTQIA+ organizations and their partners can face significant risks, protecting their identities and operations is an important part of our responsibility.
We believe in supporting the people and organizations closest to the work, respecting their leadership and helping ensure that locally driven efforts have the resources they need.
Our methods have changed. Our commitment to Uganda has not.
ONGOING PARTNERSHIP / UMSC
Supporting local leadership.
Uganda Minority Shelter Consortium
Out For Equality continues its relationship with Uganda Minority Shelter Consortium (UMSC), recognizing the importance of locally led efforts to provide safety, support and resources to LGBTQIA+ communities.
We believe that sustainable progress depends on strengthening organizations rooted in the communities they serve and supporting those working on the front lines of human-rights challenges.
Our ongoing relationship with UMSC reflects this commitment to local leadership, collaboration and sustained engagement in Uganda.
Safety comes first.
Not every organization working to advance LGBTQIA+ rights can safely operate in the public eye.
For this reason, Out For Equality does not publicly identify all of the locally led organizations it supports in Uganda.
Protecting the identities, operations and security of our partners is part of our responsibility. Their work is important, and ensuring that they can continue it safely matters more than public recognition.
We believe that partnership should be built on trust, respect and an understanding of the realities our partners face.
The work continues. The approach evolves. The commitment remains.
Out For Equality remains committed to supporting LGBTQIA+ communities in Uganda by strengthening locally led organizations and standing alongside those working toward safety, dignity and equality.
Our role may change as circumstances evolve, but our belief in the importance of solidarity and local leadership does not.