Uganda: Police arrest leading LGBT rights activist Sam Ganafa

Ugandan police have arrested and detained leading LGBT rights activist Sam Ganafa, along with two other guests staying at his home.

According to Erase 76 Crimes, the charges against Mr Ganafa have yet to be determined, but police allegedly took him to be tested for HIV because a complainant against him claimed that he had been infected.

He was handcuffed after he reported to the Kasangati police station responding to a call from the district police commander.

Police also searched his home and took two of his guests to the police station for interrogation.

Mr Ganafa’s home was used as the Spectrum Uganda office for eight years, as well as a shelter for homeless LGBT people.

Activists said he was greatly respected, a good role model, and one of the few elderly persons to have lived as openly gay in the country.

He is expected to appear in court Wednesday, but could face an immediate trial as police are urging for fast closure on the case.

Mr Ganafa is the executive director of Spectrum Uganda Initiatives and board chair for the Sexual Minorities Uganda coalition.

In 2007, he addressed a conference in Uganda towards creating a charter for the International Day Against Homophobia.

In October this year, a gay retired British banker was arrested and charged with “trafficking obscene publications” after Uganda’s Red Pepper newspaper made public the details of the video on its front page under the headline: “Exposed – Top City Tycoons Sodomy Sex Video Leaks.”

He is now due to appear in Uganda court next week.

• Nov 29 2023

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