A Ugandan lesbian activist remains in a coma and is still fighting for her life after a frightening attack, in the eastern region of her country. Jennifer Ikanza, 25, is part of the Gender Equality and Health Organisation, an LGBT group in Jinja that operates a network of safe houses for LGBT people fleeing homophobic and transphobic violence within families and police arrest. GEHO executive director Andrew Waiswa revealed that the attack happened on August 18. Ikanza received a phone call from a woman in trouble from a neighbouring village. The woman said that her husband didn’t know she’s bisexual and that she feared she might be killed if he found out. She told Ikanza that she desperately needed someone to talk to. On her way there, Ikanza was attacked by a mob, Waiswa says. The call turned out to be an entrapment ploy. By the time Waiswa reached the scene, Ikanza was heavily bleeding and motionless. She was hospitalised, but the standard of her healthcare is said to be poor with doctors allegedly reluctant to commit resources to her care as she is viewed as unlikely to be able to pay the bills. Gay Ugandans doubt that the police will show much rigour in bringing the attackers to justice. Uganda's appalling record of anti-gay laws and social violence was highlighted when activist David Kato was beaten to death. Later attempts to institute viciously anti-gay laws saw the withdrawal of significant overseas aid to the country.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Tuesday, 27th August 2013 - 3:39pm