"I fear for my sister's life"

The Ugandan LBTQ activist who participated in gay parade in Sweden on September 21 would be in deep trouble if she steps in Uganda, a sister has told us.

Irene Nakirya joined a number of Ugandans living in Sweden who participated in celebrations of the LGBTQ community.

After photographs of her appeared on social media participating in the gay parade, her sister who did not want her identity revealed, said she had been told by an aunt that Nakirya could be harmed if she comes back to Uganda.

"She called me and told me to tell Nakirya not to step in Uganda because she has embarrassed the Envubu clan. She said she could even be killed for supporting gays," said the sister.

Being gay in Uganda or even an advocate of LGBTQ rights remains a crime and could lead to social exclusion and arrest.

Police has arrested a number of suspected gays and raided their homes.

Many LGBTQ Ugandans live in fear while others have fled the country.

Indeed, Nakirya fled Uganda in October 2014 after being arrested on allegation that she is an LGBTQ activist. She escaped from custody with assistance from a sympathiser in the Uganda Police. She used to reside in Mutungo.

The Anti-Homosexuality Act, 2014 was passed by Parliament on 20 December 2013 with life in prison substituted for the death penalty.

Whereas it was signed into law by President Museveni on 24 February 2014, the Constitutional Court on 1 August 2014 annulled the law saying it was passed without the required quorum in the House.