PUBLIC AI Index: AFR 59/008/2008

23 September 2008

Further Information on UA 260/08 (AFR 59/007/2008) – Fear of arbitrary detention/ torture and other ill-treatment

UGANDA Oundo George]

Kiiiza Brenda] Transgender LGBT Human Rights Defenders

On 17 September, Oundo George and Kiiza Brenda, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) human rights defenders were released after a week in police detention at Nabweru Police Post. They were released on bond, after being charged for ‘involvement in indecent practices’. They are required to report to the police post on Wednesday 24 September.

In order to identify other LGBT individuals they were repeatedly beaten and mistreated whilst in detention. They were interrogated while being slapped and beaten with wooden batons, during which police demanded that they provide the names of, or further identify, other LGBT individuals.

The police were seeking this information in order to detain further individuals because of their gender or sexual identity. Individuals detained by the Ugandan police for these reasons are at serious risk of ill-treatment. Consensual same-sex acts are illegal in Uganda and mistreatment during detention is common due to the homophobic attitudes of the Ugandan police. Oundo George and Kiiza Brenda were prisoners of conscience arrested solely for their gender identity.

Oundo George and Kiiza Brenda were denied food for the first three days of their detention, despite the fact that Oundo George is diabetic. They only received food when family and friends were able to bring it to them on Saturday Oundo George was denied medical treatment for his diabetes, which has left him unwell after his condition worsened during his detention.

Thank you to all who sent appeals. No further action is needed.