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This short piece seeks to highlight the experiences of four LGBTQ youth at risk due to anti-LGBTQ+ hostility they face in Uganda, following the passing of the 2023 government legislation. We’ll learn about its impact on a local youth organisation called *Action pour le Développement Durable* (ADD) who supports and advocates for young people, including the LGBTQ+ youth living in the Eastern African region.

Campaign for ADD-RDC to relocate 4 LGBTQ+ youth back to DRC

This campaign aims to raise £6,561 to support travel and relocate to DRC and pursue vocational courses for 6 months. 

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Since the passing of Uganda’s anti-homosexuality act in 2023, ADD-RDC's capacity-building work and livelihood scheme provision has been hindered by increasing levels of discrimination and stigma they, their friends and the many they support face. The adoption of the anti-gay law endorses the death sentence to anyone convicted of same sex relationship. The same law endorses imprisonment for anyone protecting or not outing a LGBTQ+ individual.

“We had no problem before. I myself was a student in Uganda. I was one of the very active LGBTQ youths in campus and there was no problem with that (...) but when President Museveni signed the law, the tough law you know about...everything fell apart. It was a serious disaster” (Ciceron, 2025)

Ciceron MUGISA LIFENYA is a Human rights activist based in the eastern region of Congo. In 2019, he was involved in the establishment of ADD to support young orphans, those out of school and those displaced by war and instability in the region. Many of ADD beneficiaries would be sent to Uganda learn English and to take vocational training courses. This is the case of four of their beneficiaries who settled in Uganda before the law was signed. Today, they live under constant fear for their lives and face stigma and

discrimination, including threats from their landlord and the neighbours. In response, ADD-RDC has initiated a campaign to bring them back to the DRC, where they can live more safely and pursue any educational trainings. They will have the opportunity to pursue courses in hotel management, catering as well as computer and phone maintenance.

What we can do

For Ciceron, supporting the youth is an investment into our future. Through this campaign, ADD-DRC's aims to promote youth justice in their region and beyond. Their goal is to build more capacity to support more young people and forge international connections. Through the Chakula programme, The Africa Centre is supporting the fundraising, raising awareness on the needs of African LGBTQ+ youth, and being a connector between African LGBTQ+ experiences in the UK and in Africa. 

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Every contribution matters. Thank you for your support.

About ADD

Action Pour le Developpement Durable (ADD) is an organisation that helps the most vulnerable and marginalised youth, including the LGBTQ+ youth living in the region. They provide humanitarian assistance and alternative and non-formal education opportunities with the hope that their beneficiaries reclaim their autonomy and become self-reliant.

About Chakula

The Chakula programme is a monthly series of events, workshops and dialogues geared towards supporting and empowering Black and African LGBTQ+ communities at The Africa Centre. For more information, visit our webpage or follow @thechakulaprogramme on all channels