Well, we're back from the Christmas break early with news that the SMUG offices have been broken into.
SMUG stands for Sexual Minorities Uganda, a coalition of around eight organisations in Uganda that are working for the rights of LGBT people in the country.
The following article was released three days ago. Sad end to 2012:
"SMUG offices were broken into and vandalized and most office property stolen. This was noticed on the 26th by one staff member who had gone to pick a couple of documents from office."
This is not the first time that the offices of an LGBTI organization in Uganda was broken into and property stolen...
Among the items stolen are computers, gas cooker, audio recorder and water dispenser.
The offices of Freedom & Roam Uganda were also broken into.
There is real concern that the thieves may use the stolen data to fuel hate attacks, and that the police, in the shadow of the impending Kill the Gays bill, will do little to bring them to justice.
Frank Mugisha / 28TH December 2012.
ReplyDeleteRE: OFFICE BREAK IN AT SMUG.
It is unfortunate that ; SMUG offices were broken into/vandalized and most office property stolen. This was noticed on 26th/Dec/2012, by one staff member who had gone to pick a couple of documents from office.
A police file has been opened at Naalya Housing estates police post (S/DREF: 07/27/12/2012) and statements recorded from SMUG staff members. At the moment Police has started investigations to see if they can trace the offenders.
The property that was stolen include:
• 5 Desk top computers – CPUs and Flat Screens
• 1 water Dispenser
• One gas cooker
• One Gas cylinder
• One refrigerator
• One audio recorder
• One spy pen
• And other unidentified property.
The police with the help SMUG lawyers, Human rights awareness and promotion Forum (HRAPF) , Protection desk Uganda and SMUG partners are still working around the clock with investigators to establish the cause of the break in.
We shall update you with any new developments.