Uganda hate law blocks HIV research: join 300 leading researchers in sign-on protest

4 January 2024. Related: Special reports, Treatment access, Treatment advocacy, Research studies.

Simon Collins, HIV i-Base

A letter from more than 300 leading HIV scientists was issued to support a legal challenge to the Anti-Homosexuality Act (AHA) in Uganda. [1]

The letter challenged a recent directive stating that doctors, researchers and other staff involved in medical research would need to report to the police every study participant who they thought might be LGBT. [2]

Failing to report such participants would make researcher staff liable to lengthy prison sentences.

The discrimination in the AHA also undermines international support for funding current and future research in the country.

The open letter is still open for endorsement. [1]

Link to sign-on now.

1. Open Letter from Researchers to the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology. (18 December 2023).
   https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf4PZXrZwiOjGe-cbGCr-etnTRqvwNHaaWKIBYVhaGbGDevMA/viewform
2. Health Policy Watch. Court Challenge to Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act Begins as Researchers Reject Directive to Report ‘Offenders’. (18 December 2023).
   https://healthpolicy-watch.news/court-challenge-to-ugandas-anti-homosexuality-act/