17 March 2017 — Equal Shiners Initiative Uganda Founded, Uganda
Founded on 17 March 2017 by Bukenya Musa, Equal Shiners Initiative Uganda works with LGBTQIA+ individuals, with a specific focus on trans, intersex, sex workers and other vulnerable community members, particularly those affected by stigma, discrimination, homelessness, and HIV/AIDS. The organisation provides community support, awareness, advocacy, and access to essential services. Their organisational approach is
- Community-led and peer-driven advocacy and programming
- Rights-based, gender-affirming, and sex-worker-inclusive approaches
- Evidence-informed advocacy grounded in lived experience
- Strong referral, coalition, and partnership systems
- Accountability to the communities served
The organisation was registered as an NGO in 2017. The NGO was formerly a CBO named Kuchu Shiners.
Vision
A safe, inclusive and equal society where everyone is respected and empowered.
La mission
To support and empower LGBTQIA+ communities through advocacy, education and inclusive programs.
Goals/Objectives
- Promote equality and human rights.
- Provide safe spaces and support services.
- Raise awareness and reduce stigma.
- Empower community members.
Areas of Work
The organisation’s work focuses on human rights advocacy, mental health support, community empowerment and programmes specifically supporting trans and intersex individuals. Advocacy, human rights and policy engagement is the central pillar of the organisation’s work, addressing structural inequalities, criminalization, violence, and exclusion faced by trans women sex workers by amplifying community voices and engaging duty bearers, policymakers, institutions,
and the public.
Key advocacy interventions
- Documentation and reporting of human rights violations affecting trans women sex workers
- Community-led advocacy campaigns addressing criminalization, police violence, stigma,and discrimination.
- Engagement with policymakers, local authorities, health institutions, and human rights bodies.
- Coalition-building and participation in national and regional advocacy networks
- Strategic communications, storytelling, and media engagement grounded in lived experience
- Advocacy for trans-affirming, sex-worker-inclusive health, legal, and policy frameworks
HIV, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR)
Equal Shiners Uganda strengthens access to HIV and SRHR services through peerled outreach, referrals, and follow-up systems that ensure trans women sex workers access respectful, confidential, and affirming care. Services include:
- HIV testing and counselling referrals
- PrEP screening, initiation, refills, and adherence support
- PEP administration referrals
- STI screening and treatment referrals
- Psychosocial and adherence support
- Client follow-ups and continuity of care
Community outreach, prevention and empowerment
The organisation conducts peer-led outreach and empowerment initiatives that prioritize harm reduction, informed decision-making, safety, and dignity. Activities include:
- Distribution of condoms and lubricants
- Distribution of HIV self-testing kits
- Health education, HIV prevention, and SRHR sensitization
- Rights awareness and community dialogues
- Peer-to-peer mobilisation and support
Humanitarian and economic support
The organisation has a well-established shelter space to provide accommodation to the homeless or wrongly evicted trans women. It comes with home care and security. All the shelter occupants are enrolled in economic skilling activities like poultry to prepare them to survive economically once they have exited the organisation.
Legal support and crisis response
Equal Shiners Uganda responds to rights violations and emergencies affecting trans women sex workers through referrals, accompaniment, and partnerships with legal and human rights institutions. Interventions include:
- Legal aid referrals and case follow-up
- Support during arrests, harassment, extortion, and violence
- Emergency response and documentation of abuse cases
Specific trans and intersex programmes
The organisation’s trans and intersex focused programmes are designed and led with direct involvement from trans women and intersex individuals to ensure they are inclusive, safe, and responsive to their needs. Equal Shiners use a peer-to-peer approach, community outreach, and safe spaces to build trust and ensure meaningful participation.
- Health Awareness and Access to Services: They conduct community outreaches and sensitisation sessions on HIV prevention, sexual and reproductive health, and mental health. The organisation also link trans and intersex individuals to friendly health facilities for testing, treatment, and counseling services.
- Safe Shelter and Emergency Support: Equal Shiners provides temporary shelter and emergency assistance to trans women and intersex individuals who are homeless, displaced, or facing violence and family rejection.
- Advocacy and Human Rights Awareness: The organisation engages in advocacy to promote the rights, dignity, and inclusion of trans and intersex people. This includes community dialogues, awareness campaigns, and working with local stakeholders to reduce stigma and discrimination.
- Psychosocial Support: They offer peer support groups and counseling to address trauma, mental health challenges, and social isolation experienced by our beneficiaries.
- Economic Empowerment: The organisation supports skills development and small income-generating activities to help individuals achieve independence and improve their livelihoods.
Contact
Courriel : info.equalshiners@gmail.com / kuchushiners@gmail.com
+256782156969
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