Ugandan homosexuals, sex workers, drug users and other key populations at higher risk of contracting HIV are set to elect new representatives to the Global Funds grants managing board, the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM).
After the 2017 CCM board member elections in Kampala, Uganda, key populations (KP) representatives pose: Sanyu Hajarah Batte (second from left, front row), current alternate CCM member; LGBT rights activist Frank Mugisha (in blue suit); and Moses Kimbugwe, an MSM activist and current substantive CCM member. (Lady Mermaid Bureau photo)
By Kikonyogo Kivumbi
The elections are slated for 13th November 2020i in Kampala. Two people — a substantive member and an alternate will be elected to represent the key populations for the next three years. Currently, Mr. Moses Kimbugwe and Sanyu Hajara Batte represent the key populations.
Richard Lusimbo, the Uganda Key Population Consortium ( UKPC) co-coordinator, recommended that people running to become CCM members and alternates should be senior officers, preferably persons at organizations’ policy-making or management level.
“The CCM leverages on the experiences, skills and expertise of its members to perform its oversight function. Some of the skills and expertise required include Programme Management; Disease-Specific Clinical expertise for the three diseases (HIV, TB or Malaria); Financial Management; Procurement and Supply Management; Risk Analysis and Management; Health Financing; Health Systems Strengthening; Community Response and monitoring Systems; Human Rights and Gender and Legal expertise,” Lusimbo said in a public notice.
“Due to Covid-19 restrictions, we propose to conduct a face-to-face meeting targeting 45 participants including the leaders (7) of national networks and five nominated delegates from the 7 constituencies. We will also maintain an online zoom link for participants not in the room to follow the proceedings.”
Why the CCM matters to LGBT people
The selection of representatives to the CCM board occurs in an important, strategic election that ensures that programming for the LGBT community will be included in the country’s national HIV/AIDS response. The CCM board in Uganda is hosted by the Uganda Aids Commission, under the Office of the Ugandan President. Other constituencies also elect members of to the CCM board to represent the Central Government, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Academic Sector, Private sector, UN agencies and other Bilateral agencies
Interested candidates are required to submit a resumé (curriculum vitae). Then, a select committees of the national head of KP and priority-population (PP) networks and the Uganda Aids Commission will vet the applications.
Finally, a vote will be held at a national meeting among:
- Lesbians, Gay, Bisexuals and Transgender people (LGBT)
- Sex workers
- People who use and inject drugs (PWUIDS)
- Truck drivers
- Fisherfolks
- Police
- Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF)
Some of the Key Populations leaders, partners and allies. (UKPC photo)
What’s at stake for LGBT and sex workers in the 2020 key populations elections
This year’s election has additional urgency because of increasing anti-gay rhetoric and verbal attacks on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) initiatives from the US government administration and US-based moralist anti-gay groups.
Last month, the United States, the single biggest funder to Uganda’s national HIV/AIDS response, entered an alliance with six generally anti-gay countries with questionable human rights credentials. Together, they signed a statement called the Geneva Consensus Declaration on Promoting Women’s Health and Strengthening the Family. The statement endorsed women’s rights, stated that “in no case should abortion be promoted as a method of family planning” and described the family as “the natural and fundamental group unit of society.”
To see the full declaration, click here.
Uganda, Brazil, Egypt, Hungary, Indonesia, the United States cosponsored the declaration, which was signed by 33 nations on Oct. 22.
Human rights defenders fear the declaration will curtail birth-control and health-care access for key populations. Already the United States prohibits any of its health aid funds from being used to pay for abortion or health counseling that mentions abortion.
The declaration comes at a time when right-wing U.S.-based Christian groups continue to raise money aimed at teaching morality in Africa..
Members of Key Populations communities gather at a previous CCM election. (UhspaUganda photo)
Key Populations organising in Uganda
KPs in Uganda have in the last 10 years significantly organised their approach to health-care access, engagement with the government and extending services to KPs in up-country Uganda.
The formation of UKPC has consolidated the achievements made over the years, establishing a center for working with the government and with funding institutions.
In the past, KPs have been represented by Geoffrey Mujisha, Marjorine Nakimuli, Kikonyogo Kivumbi and Jude Ayebare.
Kikonyogo Kivumbi (first on the right, front row) at a CCM Global Fund meeting in Kampala. (UhspaUganda photo)
Kikonyogo Kivumbi, the author of this article, is the executive director of the Uganda Health and Science Press Association.
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