Uganda's 2nd Pride Parade

Today saw the closing ceremony of Uganda's 2nd LGBTI Pride Parade. A message from Victor Mukasa on Thursday read:

Happy Pride!!! As We celebrate the second Pride from near and far, I would like to share a couple of words. It has been a long journey for all of us. There have been so many struggles for all of us. There has been loss of lives, esteem, trust, love, well being, pride, dignity, etc for all of us at one point or another. Along the way we have been victors; saving lives, winning cases, creating safe social spaces, the 1st Pride in 2012, awards to our comrades and to the movement, stronger organizing, alliance building, unity, etc. We have all been a part of this. We all deserve to celebrate. We have all been there in different capacities. A movement is no movement without all of us. We have done a great job. A happy pride is in order.

Many mistakes/errors have been made. This is a time to a correct them. This is a time to make things even better. It is a time to reflect. A time to regroup and include all those that have something to offer. It is a time to celebrate our hi/herstory as that is where we come from. It is a time to express gratitude to all those that have supported us. A time to remind each other that this is our struggle. A time to re-energize. Hugely, a time to CELEBRATE US.

Thanks to us all. Thanks to all our allies and partners. Thanks to the all those who have worked hard to make this a reality. Thanks to the Pride Organizing Committee for your leadership on this. Above all, thanks to you and you and yes, you too!

Keep safe and blessed as we celebrate! HAPPY PRIDE!!

As you can see from the picture, SMUG Uganda used the opportunity to voice their support for the LGBTI community in Russia who are also undergoing mass discrimination at the moment, so much so that it's currently threatening the Winter Olympics there.