Kasese Health Officer Denies Discrimination Against LGBTQI Individuals

In the Rwenzori sub-region, LGBTQI individuals are calling for non-discriminative access to equitable and quality sexual reproductive health (SRH) and HIV services at health facilities. Despite the Constitutional Court striking down sections of the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023 that restricted healthcare access for LGBTQI people in April 2024, many still report experiencing discrimination when seeking care.

Why this matters: The denial of healthcare services to LGBTQI individuals can have severe consequences, including delayed diagnosis and treatment of life-threatening conditions. Moreover, discrimination in healthcare settings can perpetuate harmful stereotypes and stigma, further marginalizing an already vulnerable community.

Baseme, a transgender woman, recounted her experience at a health facility: "I explained to the health worker that I needed lubricants. She asked if I was a man or a woman because she could not tell just by looking at me. Then she asked why I needed the lubricants. I demanded to know why she was interrogating me like this." Baseme added, "Visiting a health facility can put you at risk of being reported to the police. Most health workers in rural facilities do not understand the unique needs of queer people. They think we are not human."

Oscar Ayebare, a gay man, shared a similar experience: "The health workers laughed at me. Even patients in the outpatient department ridiculed me because I identify as a woman. All the health workers become homophobic once they realise you do not fit into their narrow standards." Ayebare noted the difficulty in reporting such incidents, saying, "We cannot report because we fear that we will be imprisoned. How can you tell a stranger that you are gay and that you have been denied access to services because of your sexual orientation?"

However, Dr. Stephen Bagonza, the Kasese District health officer, disputes these claims of discrimination. "Health facilities are ready and willing to serve every citizen of this country equally. Now and then we send health workers for refresher courses on handling patients. I have not received any reported incidents of discrimination or stigmatisation against gay people," stated Dr. Bagonza. He maintains that LGBTQI individuals have equal access to services, including condoms, HIV supplies, and testing kits at health facilities in the Rwenzori sub-region, which includes districts such as Kasese, Ntoroko, and Bundibugyo.

The Ministry of Health provides SRH services and commodities free of charge to everyone, regardless of tribe, color, and sexual orientation. Health workers are required to capture patients' information, including their gender identity, to provide specific SRH services. Community organizations, such as We for All Rwenzori (WEFORI), work to support LGBTQI individuals in accessing SRH services through referrals to LGBTQI-friendly health facilities.

The conflicting accounts from LGBTQI individuals and the Kasese District health officer highlight the ongoing challenges and barriers faced by the LGBTQI community in accessing essential healthcare services. While official policies may state that services are provided without discrimination, the lived experiences of LGBTQI individuals suggest that stigma and unequal treatment persist at the ground level in health facilities across the Rwenzori sub-region.

Key Takeaways

• LGBTQI individuals in Rwenzori sub-region face discrimination in healthcare settings.
• Denial of healthcare services can lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment of life-threatening conditions.
• LGBTQI individuals report experiencing discrimination, ridicule, and stigma at health facilities.
• Health officials dispute claims of discrimination, citing equal access to services.
• Conflicting accounts highlight ongoing challenges in accessing essential healthcare services.