By Mbarara Rise | Project leader
Situation Update – October 2025
Mbarara Rise Foundation
Two years after the enactment of Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act, the situation for LGBTQI+ persons has worsened into a sustained humanitarian emergency. What began as fear and uncertainty has deepened into widespread social rejection, economic collapse, and psychological trauma.
In southwestern Uganda, Mbarara Rise Foundation continues to stand as one of the few safe points of contact for those affected. Our shelters, counselling, and empowerment activities remain vital lifelines for individuals escaping violence, eviction, or blackmail. Yet, as the number of people seeking refuge grows daily, our limited resources are being stretched beyond capacity.
Why Increased Support Is Urgently Needed
Our emergency fund is nearly depleted. Every week, new calls for help arriven from survivors seeking safety, medical attention, or relocation to safer places. The scale of need now far exceeds what our small team can provide:
Over 68 people are waiting for safe housing or temporary relocation.
Many survivors of assault cannot afford medical treatment or follow-up care.
Trauma counselling and medication remain critically underfunded.
The demand for livelihood training has doubled, but resources are limited.
The current situation is not only a protection crisis but also a test of resilience for Uganda’s LGBTQI+ movement. Each day without adequate support puts more lives at risk and erodes the hope of those already living in hiding.
Amid this hostility and silence, Mbarara Rise Foundation continues to provide safety, dignity, and solidarity. With renewed donor support, we can extend emergency aid, keep our shelters open, and sustain the programs that give survivors a chance to rebuild their lives.
Every contribution matters—it means protection, food, healthcare, and the reassurance that someone still cares enough to act. Together, we can keep hope alive for those who have nowhere else to turn.
In solidarity,
Programs Leader
Mbarara Rise Foundation
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