Most At Risk Populations' Society in Uganda (MARPS in Uganda)

From July 6-10, the International AIDS Society (IAS) is hosting the 23rd International AIDS Conference, which is the world's largest conference on HIV and AIDS.  It was originally to be held in San Francisco and Oakland - the first time in two cities - it is now, in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, to be an online convening:  AIDS 2020: Virtual.  This format will enable participants to access the latest HIV science, advocacy, and knowledge through a combination of virtual sessions, community networking, and a 24-hour plenary speaker schedule, reaching audiences around the globe.  To conclude  AIDS 2020: Virtual,  IAS will host a session on breaking COVID-19 research, policy analysis, and frontline experience.

COVID-19 and the International Day To End Obstetric Fistula The first day I accompanied a young woman with Fistula complications to a hospital 100 miles away from her home, is the day I embraced feminism fully. I would say fully, because up until then I was doing what many others were doing: social justice and rights activism, explaining, affirming womanhood and ensuring safe motherhood. But when I sat next to a woman who had uncontrollable flatulence, whose urine and feaces were let loose every time the car hit a pothole, I was baptized. I did not become a feminist to add extra accolades to my resume. I became one to heal women in rural Africa. Most especially, I was interested in Fistula correction surgery. Fistula is real and it can be the cause of trauma, isolation and self-hate by those who suffer from it. We sat next to each other but I noticed she was uncomfortable. I assured her that it was okay to pass the wind, to pee in her pampers and that we shall...

LGBTIQQ, Culture, Diversity and COVID-19 on World Day of Cultural Diversity For Dialogue and Development Culture is a tool which many different persons can employ to improve their health or quality of life. There is a connection between culture, diversity and how we all can engage in health promotion whether one identifies as Straight or Gay. Culture is an umbrella term which encompasses the social behaviour and norms found in human societies, as well as the knowledge, beliefs, arts, laws, customs, capabilities, and habits of the individuals in these groups. Whether you identify as LGBTIQQ or Straight culture is an enabler and a catalyst you need to tap into to engage in health promotion, quality life and prevention against COVID-19. She shouted on top of her voice: “These ones are allowed to make hair and those ones are not supposed to plait hair. These ones are supposed to wear make-up and those ones are not supposed to. These ones are supposed to kneel down when talked...

We provide counselling and guidance. We have subject matter experts in the areas of Family Ministry, In-Prison Programmes and Criminal Justice Reform advocacy and we want to reach out to the LGBTIQQ Community in Africa to build resilience structures within them. The most important cause of criminalisation of ways of life is the unholy nexus between politicians and bureaucracy. There is a tendency of community leadership to align itself with the people in power and not to represent the local or characteristic needs of the community. Community leaders can be shielded from politics, dismissals or can secure their positions when they are aligned with the people. The people feel safe enough in their homes in Uganda.   This time around when COVID-19 is roaming large, food security and the means to prepare it; and availability of various forms of prevention and financial security can be an indicator of the trust the people give their leader or not. These are the three securities: F...

I want to bring to your attention, a letter that was addressed to the Uganda Parliament on the 7thAugust 2019. In it the author makes a profound realization about relationships, sexuality, orientation, gender, identity, sexual expressions and sexual characteristics. “Attachment is a lasting emotional bond between persons and it influences relationships throughout life (Grossman et al., 2005). We have seen that not all people are heterosexually normative. Some are neurodivergent gender diverse persons. Some engage in the love where one leaves the beauty of a woman and settles for a fellow man or where one leaves the man and settles with a woman is possible and may not be about sexual intercourse. It may be because of affinity over a similar experience people went through. It could be as a result of backlash. It could be as a result of realizing similar likes and dislikes. Please do not assume that all same-sex relations are about sexual intercourse.” It started a...

We are so happy to celebrate WALAI team, animating "living together in peace!" After the recently concluded COVID-19 Loser Africa "Do No Harm" Campaign, we resolved to create Prevention Communities of Best Practices. We want to make our communities tolerate us. We join hands and hope this relationship will be built around creating and owning self esteem narratives as CBO groups willing to "take health in their hands!" We hope that all other LGBTIQQ leaders will be pleased to support our narrative. Our appeal goes out to some out there who are prone to toxicity and negativity for once to think harder. Don't talk behind our backs, don't stick daggers in our backs. Health is a beneficial resource which can enable us build a support system from scratch. Support us as we posit the following: LGBTIQQ Identity Can Be Used For Creating Self Esteem in Homestead Communities Through Strategic Self-Esteem and Rapport Building Activities...