Uganda

Front Line is deeply concerned following reports that human rights defenders George Oundo and Kiiza Brendah were arbitrarily detained from 10 to 18 September 2008 and that Pepe Juliana Onziema, David Kato, Victor Julie Mukasa and Kasha Jacqueline have been subjected to intimidation by police and the authorities in Uganda.  

Front Line is deeply concerned following reports that charges of trespassing have been brought against Pepe Julian Onziema, Valentine Kalende and Usaam Mukwaaya, defenders of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights in Kampala, Uganda. Pepe Julian Onziema, Valentine Kalende and Usaam Mukwaaya work for Sexual Minorities in Uganda (SMUG), an organisation dedicated to the defence of LGBT rights. The charges were brought against them following their arrests on 4 June 2008 during a peaceful protest at the HIV/AIDS Implementers' Meeting, an annual event described as an opportunity for HIV programme implementers to share lessons learned and best practices in an effort to strengthen the efficacy of HIV/AIDS programmes. The event is co-sponsored by the President's Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), UNAIDS, the World Bank, the Global Fund, UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Global Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (GNP+).