MPIGI: A woman identified as Ritah Namusisi is reportedly on the run after she was allegedly attacked by residents of Kalagala Village in Mpigi District over suspected links to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBTQ+) community.
According to information obtained about the incident, the confrontation followed the circulation of videos on social media allegedly showing Namusisi with another woman with whom she is said to have had a relationship while the two were working in Dubai.
The videos were reportedly posted online by a woman currently living in a Western country.
Namusisi is said to have questioned the woman over the decision to publish videos in which she was featured.
The matter later reached Namsisi’s family, who reportedly questioned her about the videos and her alleged association with a person linked to the lesbian community.
A meeting was subsequently convened in Kalagala Village to discuss the matter.
It was after the meeting that Namusisi was allegedly attacked by some of the residents.
She is now reportedly missing and has gone into hiding following the incident, with efforts underway to establish her whereabouts and ensure her safety.
The incident highlights concerns over violence against people suspected of belonging to or associating with Uganda’s LGBTQ+ community.
In some cases, individuals accused of such links have reportedly faced threats, harassment and attacks, forcing them to flee their communities or leave the country.
Efforts to contact police over Namusisi’s whereabouts and the circumstances surrounding the alleged attack have so far been unsuccessful.
We will update the story as we get more details.
