In the weeks before President Trump’s signing an executive matter dismantling the US International Development Agency, Andrea Minaj Kasilanka was immersed with a desperate version for help.
A consultant working with non -profit organizations that meet the needs of members Uganda homosexualsI have submitted urgent requests from people looking for HIV drugs, treatment and shelter sessions in the wake of Mr. Trump’s executive order. Mrs. Casablanca responded to these calls while she was struggling with her own crisis: she is launched from a job funded by the United States Agency for International Development
“Our whole world has turned upside down.” “Everyone is afraid of the future.”
In recent years, homosexuals in Uganda have suffered an intense campaign in this conservative country in East Africa. Prime Minister Museini Fell Law in 2023 He calls for life imprisonment Anyone who participates in relationships of the same sex in Uganda and even a decade in prison for anyone is trying.
Now, activists say that the discounts at the United States Agency for International Development endanger them, with a lack of shelters, hundreds of unemployed individuals and many discrimination and violence. Biomedical supplies are still rare, while members of LGBTQ groups are increasingly reporting depression or suicide.
The law also allows the death penalty for any person convicted of “strict homosexuality”, a comprehensive term known to be actions of homosexuality with the palace or the disabled. Mr. Museveni and his government claimed that homosexuality is a Western phenomenon and that the law protects children and defends the sanctity of the family.
Richard Lucimbo, founder and general manager of the main population union in Uganda, a non -profit founder that enhances the rights and homosexuals.
He added: “With the end of these programs, I am concerned that our societies will be returned to chaos and inability.” “It is tragic.”
Muhoozi KainerugabaIbn al -Sayyid Musifini and the head of the Ugandan army, Urging President Trump to restore aid to those with HIV, adding, “Our people will be grateful.”
US He provides More than 970 million dollars annually in development, as well as humanitarian aid and security for Uganda. In 2023, about $ 440 million was spent on health programs, followed by relief services in emergency, agriculture and education, According to US government data.
For years, the United States has supported LGBTQ groups in Uganda through initiatives funded by the United States Agency for International Development, providing HIV treatment, legal training and resources for activity. Previous American governments also Condemn Human rights violations against Ugandan homosexuals, which impose commerce And travel restrictions in the response.
Just days after Mr. Trump took office in January, his administration announced that it was Stop all external aid Because it had a 90 -day review of the spending. Foreign Minister Marco Rubio Give up to Continue funding Life -saving and medical services, including HIV care and treatment.
but Exemption Programs that strengthened diversity, fairness and integration. This means that gay people were unable to receive medications to protect them from HIV infections. Many Ugandan gay rights groups said, during the audit, who were informed that their projects have been permanently terminated because they have strengthened diversity, fairness and integration.
In late February, the Trump administration announced that it had completed a review of all US foreign aid and was Reducing 90 percent From the American Agency for International Development, including those Providing life -saving medications.
The rapid loss of aid from the United States left many terrifying gay Ugandans. “It is like running from a fire to another fire,” said Agy HRD, Executive Director of the Africa Queer Network, which works on LGBTQ rights in more than ten African countries.
Mrs. HRD, who made a strong campaign against Homosexuality Acts In Uganda, she said she was attacked and beaten in the country last year. Through sudden financing discounts, they are concerned that many homosexuals, especially in rural areas, will develop disease or those with violence and have no place to resort to safety or support.
She said, “I have not slept well for weeks.” “We have a big battle in front of us.”
An unofficial study of 127 non -profit organizations dealing with LGBTQ issues and other groups at risk conducted by the Ugandan Population Union, Mr. Lusimbo Organization, showed that 97 percent of them have lost almost all of their budgets as a result of discounts at the United States Agency for International Development. Mr. Lusimbo said he had to allow most of his employees to leave last month.
Organizations began to distribute the few resources they left, and to rely on volunteers to maintain basic services, such as finding shelters or providing testing groups. With the cancellation of services, the CEO of the ice Ice, a gay rights organization, said, with the cancellation of services, his group was asked to return the tanks and chairs purchased with US tax dollars.
Activists said that some LGBTQ clinics are now receiving the services that were free before, such as HIV test. They said that mental health services have been completely reduced or cut. There are also fears that the sudden suspension of help will retract years of progress in the education of Ugandans about safe sex or exposing people with HIV to life -threatening infections due to their weak immunity.
“Infections have not continued temporarily just because there is a 90 -day review,” said Mr. Lucimbo. “We live in a global village,” he added. “Everyone’s health is in danger.”
Ugandan LGBTQ conditions are so risky that shelters often transmit sites or transport individuals in order to avoid personal attacks or raids from the authorities. Now, some of these shelters started to close.
Since 2020, nearly three shelters have been in secret sites throughout Uganda, protecting thousands of gay from homelessness and violence, according to John Grace, coordinator of the Uganda Minority Union.
The shelters relied on the mediators who received American funding, including the United States Agency for International Development and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But due to the cuts in gradual financing and political changes under the Trump administration, dozens of shelters have now been closed, MX said. Grace, without the duo.
They said that those who are still suffering from employee deficiency and crowd and began to remove people.
“It’s a complete chaos,” said MX. Grace, 32, who was expelled by her family after they left a non -bilateral a few years ago. “These shelters are the lifeblood of many people, and now they are struggling to stay.”
For Mrs. Casablanca, the consultant, the phone call flow does not appear uncompromising any sign of abandonment. Although her monthly salary of 40 dollars was not received by the United States Agency for International Development, she chose to continue working as a volunteer.
Throughout Kampala and other Ugandan cities, she said, people who reach LGBTQ are communicating, and worry about the place of obtaining medicines, condoms, lubricants and tests. She said that some are calling for tears and exchanging their struggles with fear and isolation. Many, like it, also worry about the place where their next salary will come or how they will pay the rent.
She said to meet her needs, she took work as parties for parties. “We need to stay in this dark,” she said.
