3 March 2004 — Founding of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), Uganda
On 3 March 2004, Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), now known as SMUG International, was founded by trans man and activist, Victor Mukasa, along with Sylvia Tamale. The earliest members included Val Kalende, Kamuhangire E. and David Kato, who were among the first board members. SMUG is an umbrella non-governmental organisation (NGO) based in Kampala, Uganda, advocating for the protection and promotion of human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex and queer Ugandans. It currently has 18 LGBTQIA+ organisations within its umbrella.
One of SMUG’s greatest achievements include the then Director of Programmes, Pepe Onziema, a trans man, who has advocated for LGBTQIA+ rights in Uganda for over 20 years, leading a coalition of 55 civil society organisations to overturn the Anti-Homosexuality Act of 2014.
While SMUG is regarded as Uganda’s leading LGBT advocacy group, it has been a huge trans and intersex ally and has been involved in African trans and intersex history since its inception. In May 2010, SMUG hosted the Eastern and Southern African Trans and Intersex Regional Exchange Programme, a 3-year programme organised by Gender Dynamix (GDX) and a partner organisation from East Africa. The current Co-Executive Directors are Pepe Onziema and Dr Frank Mugisha.
In 2022, SMUG’s offices were attacked and vandalised and two of its staff members arrested, and SMUG was been banned by the Ugandan NGO authority from operating and had to close its headquarters and take down its in-country website. Dr Mugisha called this ban
“a clear witch hunt rooted in systematic homophobia, fuelled by anti-gay and anti-gender movements.”
Due to the these extreme obstacles, SMUG is now based in the USA.
Mission
SMUG is dedicated to protecting the civil rights of all individuals, regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation. SMUG believes that everyone deserves equal rights and opportunities, and the organisation works tirelessly to ensure that these rights are protected.
Focus Areas
SMUG provides support to the LGBT community through fundraising, grant writing and administration, strategic planning, networking, linkages and contracting with like USA organisations, along with advising and coaching SMUG membership organisation leadership.
Contact
Website
Email: onziema@sexualminoritiesuganda.com; djcurley@smuginternational.org
Facebook
LinkedIn (Profile of Daniel J. Curley, SMUG Board Member and Treasurer)
Watch our interview with Pepe Onziema
Watch our live interview with Pepe from the 21st of February 2025: