Global: Prominent Ugandan activist Victor Mukasa joins IGLHRC

Prominent Ugandan Activist Victor Mukasa Joins IGLHRC
The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) welcomes prominent Ugandan activist Victor Juliet Mukasa as our new Research and Policy Associate for the Horn, East, and Central Africa.

Victor is a co-founder and the president emeritus of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG). Victor is also a founding member of several Ugandan rights groups, including East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Network (EHAHRDN) (2005), Freedom and Roam Uganda (FARUG) (2002), and the Pan African Group African Solidarity (2006). Victor has also served as a board member of many African and international LGBT groups, including Gender Dynamix (South Africa), Behind the Mask (South Africa), Coalition of African Lesbians (Pan African), and the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA).

"Victor is one of the most respected human rights activists in Africa," said Cary Alan Johnson, IGLHRC Senior Specialist for Africa, "and will greatly increase our capacity to respond to human rights violations in the Horn, East and Central Africa. Her experience, commitment, and courage are unique."

A transgender lesbian, Victor was forced to flee Uganda after police illegally raided her home in 2005 and confiscated documents related to human rights and LGBT organizing. Victor recently returned to Uganda and, along with a Kenyan activist, sued the government for the raid. The judicial decision in that case is currently pending.

Victor will be based in IGLHRC's Africa regional office, based in Johannesburg, South Africa.