Steven Kabuye is continuing his advocacy work from Canadian soil and calling for global action after relocating with help from Rainbow Railroad…
By Jumol Royes
Steven Kabuye refuses to let a near-death experience due to a homophobic hate crime derail him from fulfilling his destiny to advocate for 2SLGBTQI+ rights.
The 2SLGBTQI+ Ugandan activist was stabbed by unknown assailants on his way to work just outside Uganda’s capital city of Kampala in January of this year. The violent knife attack left him near death and in critical condition.
As the executive director of Coloured Voices Media Foundation – Truth To LGBTQ Uganda (a youth-led organization that advocates for and promotes the human rights, health and socio-economic well-being of 2SLGBTQI+ youth in Uganda and across the African continent), Kabuye has been an outspoken critic of Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act (AHA23) that was signed into law in May 2023 by President Museveni.
AHA23 has been condemned by human rights activists globally and is widely considered to be one of the most extreme examples of anti-2SLGBTQI+ legislation in the world. Punishments include life imprisonment and the death penalty.
Kabuye made the difficult decision to flee Uganda this past March, relocating to Canada with the support of Rainbow Railroad – a global non-profit that helps at-risk 2SLGBTQI+ people worldwide get to safety.
Rainbow Railroad has seen a 49 per cent increase in requests for assistance from Ugandans in the first two months of 2024 compared to the same period last year. Uganda remains one of the top countries from which the non-profit receives requests for help.
IN connected with Kabuye to find out how he’s adjusting to his new life in Canada and what his organization is doing to continue to advocate for the rights of 2SLGBTQI+ Ugandans, and to hear his message for Canadians who want to be a part of the solution.
You survived a very harrowing experience earlier this year. How are you coping?
That incident scared me but proved that I was destined to make a difference in the lives of others, especially individuals whose rights are used as a bargaining chip to get or retain power in a country like Uganda. Thanks to Rainbow Railroad and other entities that helped me get to Canada, I’m alive, feel safe, and continue to advocate for change and the betterment of 2SLGBTQI+ communities.
Can you share what life was like for 2SLGBTQI+ individuals in Uganda before the AHA23 was signed, and what it looks like today?
Life was hard, but it became more dangerous and deadlier with the state-sponsored homophobia that came along with AHA23. Many Ugandans feel like they were given a mandate to kill and torture 2SLGBTQI+ people under the law.
Uganda’s Constitutional Court recently rejected a request to nullify AHA23. What does this mean for 2SLGBTQI+ Ugandans? What, if any, recourse do they have?
The Constitutional Court edited AHA23, removed the articles that were objected to by the World Bank and the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and slapped it back to 2SLGBTQI+ Ugandans. Until today, the price of freedom to an ordinary 2SLGBTQI+ Ugandan is death. We are going to see a rise in violence towards 2SLGBTQI+ Ugandans. Let’s hope the Supreme Court repeals it soon.
As the founder and executive director of the Coloured Voices Media Foundation – Truth To LGBTQ Uganda, can you talk about some of the programs and initiatives your organization is currently undertaking to help advance the rights and freedoms of 2SLGBTQI+ youth in Uganda?
We have been sacrificed so the politicians and the corrupt can thrive. Our freedom is being held ransom for the 2026 vote. And just like that, we are human beings with no human rights in our own country. We must resort to sustainable and tactful approaches to rise above it all, including empowering ourselves in all ways possible. This way, we can get a seat at the table and stop being part of the menu. At Coloured Voices Media Foundation, we have decided to take the direction of skilling the most grassroots 2SLGBTQI+ youth who have a passion for improving their livelihood while expressing themselves through fashion. Hence the Tailoring Our Way To Freedom project. We look forward to skilling 1,000 2SLGBTQI+ youth by the end of 2025.
Our freedom and our rights cannot wait. We want them realized and fulfilled like yesterday. The anti-gay campaign has capitalized on using media, so we have decided to give them a taste of their own medicine by using media to undo the smear campaign and refute the lies about being homosexual. Through this campaign, we’re rallying a strong digital army of passionate 2SLGBTQI+ allies and activists to counter the anti-gay propaganda. We refuse to be silenced. We are standing our ground and demanding our human rights, just like any other Ugandan.
How has Rainbow Railroad supported you on your journey?
Rainbow Railroad helped me relocate to Canada, provided financial support and connected me to other organizations to assist with permanent settlement here in Canada.
So, what’s next for you?
I’m settling in nice and good in Canada. I’m going to continue my advocacy work to make sure every 2SLGBTQI+ Ugandan tastes freedom and equality. If the opportunity arises, I also plan to continue my education as I settle into my new home.
What’s one thing you would encourage Canadians to do or one action you would encourage them to take to help protect and support 2SLGBTQI+ people in Uganda?
Stop funding human rights abusers. Canadians can open their welcoming arms to the most at-risk 2SLGBTQI+ youths in Uganda by instituting a special committee specifically for Uganda to vet and quicken the process for those in need of immediate relocation support due to safety concerns. Canadians can also partner with grassroots 2SLGBTQI+ youth organizations that are change- and impact-driven to improve the standard of living for 2SLGBTQI+ youths who have no connections and are marginalized by other 2SLGBTQI+ community members and stakeholders.
JUMOL ROYES is a senior communications strategist and writer and an Ottawa-based poet, storyteller and glass-half-full kinda guy. He writes about themes that address compassion, community, identity and belonging, with a special focus on centring the lived experiences of Black and 2SLGBTQI+ people in Canada. His guilty pleasure is watching the Real Housewives. Follow him on Instagram @jumolroyes.
Enock Kizito / 02 August 2024
As a human rights advocate in Uganda, working with the Legal Aid Project, I am deeply inspired by Steven Kabuye’s dedication to 2SLGBTQI+ advocacy despite facing immense challenges. His story highlights the urgent need for global solidarity to support those suffering under Uganda’s oppressive Anti-Homosexuality Act (AHA23). This law has institutionalized discrimination, incited violence, and perpetuated hostility towards 2SLGBTQI+ individuals. As Steven poignantly describes, AHA23 has transformed fundamental human rights into privileges for those who conform to a heteronormative narrative. It has robbed 2SLGBTQI+ Ugandans of their dignity and the right to live freely, creating an environment dominated by fear and persecution.
At the Legal Aid Project, we witness firsthand the devastating impact of such legislation on individuals and communities. The fight for equality is not just a local struggle; it is a global human rights issue requiring collective action. Stories of bravery and resilience, like Steven’s, serve as a powerful reminder to challenge unjust laws and advocate for change at every level. I echo Steven’s call to the international community, especially Canadians, to take tangible steps to support 2SLGBTQI+ individuals in Uganda. This support can come in many forms, including providing asylum and refuge, financially backing grassroots organizations dedicated to protecting and empowering 2SLGBTQI+ communities, and using diplomatic channels to pressure the Ugandan government to repeal such draconian laws. Media also plays a crucial role in shaping perceptions. Steven’s efforts to combat anti-gay propaganda through media are vital in reclaiming the narrative and emphasizing the humanity and rights of 2SLGBTQI+ people. As human rights defenders, we must advocate for a world where every individual is treated with dignity, respect, and equality, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. The struggle is ongoing, but with determination and global solidarity, we can work towards a future where 2SLGBTQI+ rights are recognized and upheld in Uganda and beyond.