Published on 27/12/2024
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has ordered a probe into Rella Women’s Foundation, a non-governmental organization accused of promoting lesbianism in Uganda, where such acts are outlawed.
Nabbanja urged swift action, including de-registration, should the allegations be substantiated. This move highlights ongoing tensions between LGBTQ+ advocacy and Uganda’s strict anti-LGBTQ+ laws.
“I have received information that these individuals are promoting activities that are against the values upheld in Uganda. I direct the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Uganda Police and all security agencies to take immediate action. If investigations reveal that the Uganda Registration Service Bureau (URSB) registered them for activities contrary to their stated purpose, they should be de-registered,” Nabbanja instructed during the plenary sitting of Parliament on December 19, 2024.
The call for action came after a concern was raised by Sarah Opendi, Member of Parliament for Tororo District (DWR), who informed her colleagues that she had been alerted to Rella Women’s Foundation’s activities through a job advertisement posted on the organization’s official Twitter account.
“We passed a law in this country that prohibits LGBTQ activities, and for an organization to advertise such roles while promoting and supporting people from this community is deeply troubling,” Opendi said. She emphasized that the law is still fresh in the minds of Ugandans, referring to President-elect Trump’s stance against such activities in the United States.
Opendi explained that she became aware of Rella Women’s Foundation after noticing a job advertisement and investigating the organization further. She was shocked to discover that the foundation, based in Mpigi and Buyala, has a mission to create a “resilient, sustainable safe space for LGBTQ, bisexual and queer individuals through entrepreneurship, advocacy, and access to essential services.”
According to Opendi, Rella Women’s Foundation was founded in 2017 as a queer feminist organization with a focus on addressing challenges faced by the LGBTQ community. She further claimed that a representative from URSB confirmed that the organization was registered for activities that differ from its current mission.
“Is the Government aware of such institutions, and if not, what measures will be taken against organizations promoting activities that go against our laws and morals?” Opendi asked during the sitting.
Under Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act, 2023, Rella Women’s Foundation could face a fine of up to UGX 1 billion if found guilty of promoting homosexuality. Additionally, the organization could have its license canceled or face a 10-year suspension. The law specifies that any entity promoting or supporting homosexuality could face legal consequences, including the suspension or cancellation of their license and fines.
Clause 11(3) of the Anti-Homosexuality Act states: “A person promotes homosexuality if they provide financial support, either in kind or cash, to activities that encourage or normalize homosexuality or any conduct prohibited under this Act. This applies to individuals and legal entities.”
The law further penalizes individuals who promote homosexuality, with a conviction carrying a potential prison sentence of up to 20 years, as outlined in Clause 11(2)(c).
Rella Women’s Foundation, which runs a program called the “Rella House of Hope,” provides shelter for individuals facing discrimination and violence, particularly those from the LGBTQ community. The organization’s website outlines that it aims to offer holistic support, ensuring residents receive care and services to help them rebuild their lives after leaving the shelter.
However, the foundation has also come under scrutiny for allegedly providing a platform for individuals who identify as lesbian, gender non-conforming, or transgender, who reportedly face significant levels of discrimination and violence in Uganda, including eviction from their homes due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.
As investigations into Rella Women’s Foundation continue, the government faces mounting pressure to take action on institutions that may be violating the country’s legal and moral framework regarding LGBTQ rights.
