In brief
The cuts to U.S.A.I.D. have left shelters underfunded and many L.G.B.T.Q. individuals in Uganda without critical support and at greater risk of harm, adding to the difficulties already posed by harsh domestic laws.
In Uganda, the L.G.B.T.Q. community faces a daunting crisis following the dismantling of U.S. Agency for International Development (U.S.A.I.D.) support. The decision, made by President Trump through an executive order, has left many vulnerable individuals without access to essential services such as H.I.V. medications and safe shelters. Andrea Minaj Casablanca, a counselor working in the L.G.B.T.Q. sector, describes the fear and chaos that has ensued. The community has long endured strict anti-gay laws, exacerbated by President Yoweri Museveni's 2023 mandate, which imposes life sentences for same-sex relationships. The withdrawal of U.S. funding has created even more daunting hurdles: shelters lacking necessary resources, rising unemployment, and increased instances of violence and discrimination against L.G.B.T.Q. individuals. Many are reporting feelings of deep despair and hopelessness, with access to vital medical supplies now more limited than ever. As advocates work tirelessly to support those in need, the consequences of the aid cuts continue to pose a serious threat to the well-being of Uganda's L.G.B.T.Q. population.
