Uganda’s Pride Parade cancelled a day after police raid LGBT fashion show
An LGBT pride celebration in Uganda came to a halt on Thursday (August 4) when police broke up a fashion show, arresting around 20 people in the process, according to reports in the Guardian.
According to LGBT activist Frank Mugisha, the event, which took place in a nightclub in the capital, Kampala, was interrupted with police demanding to know who organised the event.
Mugisha identified himself as one of the organisers, leading to his arrest.
After a few hours of detention,I have been set free,every one is safe. Thankyou all my friends for the support & solidarity @Prideuganda2016
— Dr. Frank Mugisha (@frankmugisha) August 4, 2016
The group were released two hours later without charge. However some said they were slapped or pushed around by officers.
One man, who attempted to escape arrest at the nightclub, injured himself while “jumping to safety”.
Kuchu Times, a group who focus on LGBT issues in Africa, tweeted photos from the show and dedicated them to the Orlando nightclub victims shortly before the police raid.
The group insisted that their planned pride events would go on as normal, but they were cancelled.
The pride parade was set to take place yesterday (August 6) in Munyonyo, just outside of the country’s capital city of Kampala.
Kasha Jacqueline Nabagesera, a Ugandan LGBT rights activist, took to Twitter to announce the news, writing:
“It is with a bleeding heart sad news Pride Uganga 2016 postponed as Minister vows to arrest anyone who takes part and equates us to terrorists.”
With a bleeding heart sad News @Prideuganda2016 postponed as Minister vows to arrest any1 who takes part. and equates us to terrorists.#SOB
— BombasticKasha (@KashaJacqueline) August 5, 2016
The cancellation came after the organisers of the parade met with government officials and a human rights lawyer.
Speaking to Buzzfeed, Frank Mugisha said:
“We decided to suspend it because of the risks to personal safety.”
He adds, “The minister threatened to mobilise a mob and a large group to beat anyone who shows up for Pride tomorrow. We will engage the government next week with a view of holding the pride parade at another date soon.”
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