Kampala Key, Vulnerable and Priority Populations (KVP) News

Two studies one by Muyunga-Mukasa and another by Ayesiga, targeting LGBTIQQ communities show the resilience they exhibit amidst persecution, dejection, rejection, destitution and how they have arisen to craft and create their own paths to a happy life. They are no cry-babies no more! They have leveraged their situation and engaged in activities to promote self-belief, self-preservation and self-determination. They have harnessed their agency and navigated the social contexts as they enhance their autonomy. This is in form of daily activities of life: dressing, housing, talents, expression, and productivity, commitment to work and how they appropriate resources around them. This is an abstract of the study conducted by Muyunga-Mukasa in 2019. The study established how story telling is a mechanism by which LGBTIQ+ are reconstructing productivity, meaningfulness and setting up paths for self-determination. Technology, LGBTIQQ-themed Messaging and Proxies for Coping; Ref...

Two studies one by Muyunga-Mukasa and another by Ayesiga, targeting LGBTIQQ communities show the resilience they exhibit amidst persecution, dejection, rejection, destitution and how they have arisen to craft and create their own paths to a happy life. They are no cry-babies no more! They have leveraged their situation and engaged in activities to promote self-belief, self-preservation and self-determination. They have harnessed their agency and navigated the social contexts as they enhance their autonomy. This is in form of daily activities of life: dressing, housing, talents, expression, and productivity, commitment to work and how they appropriate resources around them. A study by Ayesiga (2019) raises important points . Mutual Aid Groups play a social Support role filling the gap of emotional growth as LGBTIQQ are faced with sexuality, gender and identity dysphoria and euphoria issues.   The report ” Invisible Scars” compiled by Elvis Herbert Ayesiga,...

This story first  appeared as: 11 year old girl surgically corrected to live as a boy by  The Independent Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT |  The Endocrinology clinic of Mulago Hospital has successfully operated an 11-year-old child to help her achieve her dream of living as a boy. The child was born a girl and raised as one. But according to her parents, her organs started changing as she grew older. What was thought to be a clitoris turned into a penis, a condition which, according to medics was caused by the presence of high levels of male (testosterone) hormones in her body. Then known as Catherine, the child was linked to care, starting a journey that will now see her live as a boy, for the rest of his life. Upon a successful sex assignment and corrective surgery, Catherine will now be known as Emma. Dr Theresa Piloya, a pediatric endocrinologist who runs the clinic says that 10 per cent of the cases she handles are of children battling disord...

In the arena and coliseum of public ideas, opinion and policy in Africa, sexuality, orientation and gender identity have stoked conversations and in whatever directions.  These conversations, have now becomes the tides, torrents and tempests churning political oceans in Africa. and the world.  But, really, is this a deliberate way able-bodied people are excusing themselves from being gainfully employed?  Do Africans have so much time on themselves, that they can afford to be wasteful?  In the article below, one reads about what has become trendy in Africa and elsewhere. The creation of mechanisms to indignify people seems to be celebrated now more than ever. Miriam Berger    writes: "Uganda arrested 16 LGBTQ activists. Here’s where else gay rights are a battleground in the world. This week Ugandan  police arrested 16 LGBTQ activists  on charges of gay sex — which is punishable by life imprisonment. Police arres...

Reaching every person and community with comprehensive, quality health services and people-centered care, putting the poorest and most marginalized first. Health is a human right, no matter your gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, age, ability or citizenship. Universal health coverage means ensuring every community can get the health services they need, without discrimination or financial hardship. #HealthForAll #UHC2030 Universal health coverage is a political choice to strive for equity & justice in health. It means building health systems that put the poorest & most marginalized communities first, leaving no one behind. #HealthForAll #UHC2030 When a child gets sick, no parent should have to worry about whether they can access or afford quality care. We have the tools to protect children everywhere from disease & ill health—but only if leaders ­increase investments & action fo...

Universal health Coverage Means, Engaging Community Voices Ensuring that all people, regardless of race, gender, age, citizenship or ability, are represented in the movement for UHC. For health systems to benefit everyone, we need to hear from everyone. Community participation can make or break #UHC reforms. #UHC2030 #HealthForAll Well-trained, well-paid health workers are the backbone of strong #PrimaryHealthCare & UHC. As sources of trusted care for millions of people, their voices & perspectives must be prioritized in the #HealthForAll movement. #UHC2030 To achieve #UHC, #GenderEquality and the future we all want by 2030, countries should ensure that girls & women are at the helm of decisions that will affect their health, rights & wellbeing.   To ensure that health systems deliver the services people say they need, rather than services someone else decides they should have, we...

Identity can be used to favour or deny one services or access. We continue with the series in Catherine Buck's article that appeared in the New Ways Ministry. The title is: " Candidates, LGBTQ Advocates Challenge Use of Catholic Parishes for Election Events ." A recent profile in The Advocate is raising awareness about a new short film that tells the story of a priest newly diagnosed with HIV. The film is seeking funding on Kickstarter and is described as exploring “a moment in the life of one priest who is faced with a crossroads of health and identity, threatening to deconstruct his entire belief system.” In the opening seconds of his Kickstarter video, Sebastian La Cause, writer/director, gives a rapid-fire pitch for the production: “Set in dynamic East Los Angeles, Holy Water follows a gay priest at a crossroad of identity and self-acceptance as he struggles to come to terms with an HIV diagnosis.” He then quotes Joyce Carol Oates about the power of wri...

We have heard of Results Based Funding (RBF) where mechanisms are put in place for reporting interventions that work, are planned to occur at a specific time and all actors are informed of how outcomes will pan out.  It is an incentivization with  financial, equipment and material components. These are provided to organizations if agreed results are pointed out and all effort is made to meet them. It also subsidizes such overhead expenses like office space rent, utilities, transport for staff, fuel/mileage for community outreaches, research, development, job and overall security. The International Development Partners behind this model are USA and The European Community in Uganda. However, the downside is that for some organizations, there is pressure to spend say, PEPFAR among the different organizations that received it. There are 4 stories we want to share with you that we, have come to know of.  They received money to do HIV work but are not...