Annah Basaliza and her spouse, Nsereko Bitamazire Joseph, lived quietly in Kampala City. Annah, a member of the LGBTQ community, had to conceal her true identity to avoid persecution. One fateful evening, their lives took a drastic turn.
On that ominous night in October 2022, Annah returned home from work, and an inquisitive neighbor spotted her. This neighbor wasted no time in reporting Annah’s sexual orientation to the local council’s Chairman, who paid a visit to their home, delivering a stern warning about the consequences of her identity.
As he departed, their community members began to gather around their home. They hurled insults at Joseph and questioned Annah’s suitability as a wife and mother. The pressure continued to mount, escalating into violence. Joseph was chased away and pelted with stones by an angry mob.
Simultaneously, a group of men turned their aggression towards Annah. They brutally beat her until she fell unconscious and defenseless on the ground.
Annah’s life hung in the balance as she lay on the road, but a compassionate passerby found her and rushed her to the hospital. After three days of medical care at Doctors Medical Center, she was finally discharged. Miraculously, Joseph managed to escape the mob’s fury and took her to a hotel in Kampala for safety.
As they sought refuge in the bustling city, Annah and Joseph were unaware that their troubles were far from over. The police had already begun targeting LGBTQ community members, and Annah’s name was on their list. They had to navigate a treacherous path of secrecy, fear, and uncertainty as they attempted to elude the authorities who were determined to apprehend Annah due to her sexual orientation.
It appears that Annah’s whereabouts remain unknown to anyone, as she disappeared after learning that the police were hunting her. This information was shared by a close relative whose identity has been kept confidential, and she is also seeking information about Annah’s location.
