On Aug. 4 in Uganda, authorities raided a nightclub that was hosting a gay-pride event, arresting at least 15 people.
The arrested individuals were charged with promoting homosexuality ( which is not legal in that country ) and staging an illegal gathering.
The incident took place at Club Venom in Kampala, the country's capital.
Gay-rights activist Clare Byarugaba told Reuters that police "were dragging people, they were beating people, they were undressing people. They were undressing, especially transgender women. Apparently they wanted to find out whether they were men or women."
In a statement, MSMGF ( The Global Forum on MSM and HIV ) condemned the attacks and arrests of everyone involved, including Frank Mugisha and Pepe Onziema, leaders of Sexual Minorities Uganda ( SMUG ). MSMGF's press release also stated that one person reportedly jumped from a six-story window to escape police and is now in critical condition.
Also, SMUG, Chapter Four Uganda, Health GAP, Uganda Pride Committee, Human Rights Awareness and Promotion Forum ( HRAPF ), and East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project issued a joint statement. Mugisha said, "Any force by Ugandan police targeting a peaceful and lawful assembly is outrageous. The LGBTI community stands with all Ugandan civil-society movements against police brutality." ( The full statement is at msmgf.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Health-Gap-Uganda.pdf. )
OutRight Action International Deputy Executive Director Maria Sjodin, in a separate statement, said, "The assault on the community, and especially the physical violence against trans people is appalling. The U.S. government and others with embassies in Kampala must continue to monitor the situation, their presence can make pride events safer and is a concrete way of supporting the targeted minority."
In years past, Uganda spurred global criticism for enacting an anti-gay statute that penalized people with life in prison for same-sex activities. A court later overturned the law.