Surviving one of Uganda's oldest anti-homosexuality laws

Rihanna always felt deep-down that she was different. For much of her youth, she suffered discrimination for her appearance and behaviour. Her only solace came when she realised she was a transgender woman, found a supportive local group, and was embraced by Uganda's wider LGBTQ+ community. Going out, making new friends and dating for the first time was fun and exciting as she truly discovered who she was.

But in 2013 everything changed when the Ugandan government proposed an anti-homosexuality bill that criminalised same sex acts. Although homosexuality had always been illegal in Uganda, this law was the first to propose capital punishment in so called 'aggravated cases'. The bill gained international attention and a sinister local nickname 'kill the gays'.

Attitudes toward LGBTQ+ Ugandans became increasingly hostile and in early 2014, Rihanna was woken up by an angry mob of neighbours. She was dragged out on to the street, beaten unconscious by locals and arrested by police.

As the proposed anti-homosexuality bill hadn't yet become law, Rihanna became the first person charged and trialled under much older legislation called 'carnal knowledge against the order of nature', a crime that carries a life sentence.

The case went international and Rihanna's fight for her life and sexuality would unexpectedly help win support from places she never thought possible.

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Presenter: Mobeen Azhar

Producer: Tommy Dixon

Photo: two reaching hands, on pride flag background. Credit Getty Images.