HRAPF condemns Police raid on Pride Uganda activity

Human Rights Awareness and Promotion Forum (HRAPF) strongly condemns yesterday’s actions of the Uganda Police of raiding a fashion event organised for the LGBTI community as part of the Pride Uganda week celebrations. The Police had been notified by the organisers about Pride events as per the requirements of the Public Order Management Act. But even then, this was an indoor activity which was disrupting no one, at a private night club.

Over 200 people were detained for more than 45 minutes, and then between 10-15 activists who were identified as ‘ring leaders’ including a HRAPF lawyer were arrested and detained for more than 4 hours at Kabalagala Police Station and later cautioned and released.

HRAPF condemns this act of the Uganda Police as unnecessary, unconstitutional and above all a violation of the human rights to freedom of association, expressions and assembly. Neither Section 145 of the Penal Code nor the Public Order Management Act can justify this blatant attack on human rights and basic freedom.

This is not the first time this is happening as the Police also arrested people during the 2012 beach pride and also stopped two skills trainings workshops for LGBTI people as well as a dance show by an LGBTI group.

For more details on what transpired see https://www.buzzfeed.com/lesterfeder/police-raid-uganda-pride-during-transgender-pageant?utm_term=.pq8yjE98dA#.gd5gKmQRA6