Despite harsh crackdowns on freedoms of expression, assembly and association for LGBTI communities in Uganda over the past months, various actions still took place for the International Day Against Homophobia & Transphobia 2014.

Ugandan president, Yoweri Museveni, has today signed the Anti-Homosexuality Bill into law – a draconian instrument, roundly condemned by Ugandan and international human rights defenders, observers and institutions.

The year comes to an end on a frightening note across the region. Kenya’s descent into fascism is not masked by its grand infrastructure plans. South Sudan’s erstwhile allies in government are back to the battlefield—mutually targeting not each others’ soldiers but ordinary citizens of ethnicities believed to be politically supportive of either side. Then there is Uganda.

Between 200 and 300 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people attended a pride parade on Saturday (August 3), in the highlight of Kampala’s week-long Pride Festival. The event proceeded peacefully in only the second time that a pride parade has been held in the country.

LGBT activists from around the world have celebrated the ruling which, in no uncertain terms, confirms the right of non-US citizens to have these sorts of cases heard in US courtrooms.