Press Release
Published on September 30, 2024
New York, NY—Human Rights First will award Clare Byarugaba, one of the few openly LGBTQI+ rights activists in Uganda, its William D. Zabel Award in recognition of her remarkable work advocating for the rights of LGBTQI+ people in Uganda and fighting against discriminatory laws and practices that have violated their fundamental rights.
“Clare’s longstanding commitment to pursuing justice and equality for the Ugandan LGBTQI+ community—often at great personal risk—is inspiring,” said Sue Hendrickson, Human Rights First’s President and CEO. “From leading coalitions and galvanizing allies to fight Uganda’s two recent anti-LGBTQI+ rights laws, to co-organizing Uganda’s first gay pride event, Clare has been a leading voice fighting for the rights of LGBTQI+ people in Uganda. She has built national and international solidarity to push for an end to injustice.”
Named after long-time human rights champion and Emeritus Chair of the Human Rights First Board of Directors, William D. Zabel, the award honors courageous activists and organizations on the frontlines of the struggle for freedom and dignity. Each year, Human Rights First honors leaders and organizations that have distinguished themselves for their work advancing rights, justice, and equality for those suffering persecution and violations of their rights.
Working with the organization Chapter Four Uganda, Byarugaba founded the first-ever Parents and Families of LGBTQI+ Children (PFLAG-Uganda), a social intervention project that fosters dialogue and reconciliation between LGBTQI+ individuals and their families. She is Co-Convener of the Convening For Equality, a social movement that is leading the fight against the Anti-Homosexuality Act of 2023 and other emerging anti-rights legislation in Uganda. She also co-founded the first-ever LGBTQI+ swim team in Africa that uses aquatic sport to advocate for inclusion and non-discrimination.
Between 2012 and 2014, she coordinated a national coalition of over 50 diverse organizations that used their collective power to successfully fight against the draconian Anti-Homosexuality Act of 2009.
“Clare’s work has built global awareness to the abuses faced by LGBTQI+ persons in Uganda and brought pressure on the Ugandan government to roll back its discriminatory laws and policies,” said Hendrickson. “At Human Rights First, we share Clare’s belief that the U.S. government and its likeminded partners can and should do more to stand up to violations of LGBTQI+ rights abroad, especially because all too often anti-LGBTQI+ extremism is fueled by bad actors in the United States, Russia and other nations for whom Africa has become ground zero to cultivate their dangerous international campaigns.”
The Zabel award will be presented at the 2024 Human Rights First Annual Awards Celebration on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, in New York City.
For more information, or to speak with Byarugaba in connection with the Zabel award, please contact press@humanrightsfirst.org.
