Julius Kaggwa is a prominent Ugandan intersex[1] and transgender activist and executive director of intersex support organization Support Initiative for People with atypical sex Development (SIPD).[2][3] In 2010, Kaggwa was a joint winner of the Human Rights First Human Rights Award.[4][5] The following year, he was a joint winner of the Human Rights Defenders Award.[6]
Julius Kaggwa | |
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Born | Uganda |
Occupation | Executive Director of Support Initiative for People with atypical sex Development |
Known for | Intersex and transgender activist |
Website | sipduganda.org |
Kaggwa campaigns on health, support and human rights issues facing intersex people,[7] and also gender non-conforming people, and against the Ugandan "Anti-homosexuality" Bill.[8][9]
Kaggwa has described how intersex infants may be mutilated or terminated due to the stigma surrounding their birth, and mothers may be stigmatized.[10] SIPD aims to change cultural attitudes, and support appropriate medical care.[10] Intersex conditions are viewed as a medical issue, in contrast to homosexuality,[10] but as a committed Christian, Kaggwa argues that violence and discrimination against LGBT people is incompatible with his faith.[11] In 2016, Kaggwa described how increasing discrimination against LGBT people in Uganda has contributed to a lack of safety for intersex people.[12]
In 2010, Kaggwa was a joint winner of the Human Rights First 2010 Human Rights Award for his work leading the fight against an anti-homosexuality bill in Uganda, and helping to create a more tolerant environment for sexual minorities.[13]
As a member of Uganda’s Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights and Constitutional Law, Kaggwa was a joint winner in the Human Rights Defenders Award, 2011.[6]