Frank Mugisha

Frank Mugisha has been an influential figure in the field of LGBTQ rights, particularly in Uganda. As the Executive Director of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), Mugisha has made significant strides in challenging the social and political landscapes of the LGBTQ community in his home country. His dedication to the cause extends beyond SMUG; he also founded Icebreakers Uganda, an organization dedicated to supporting LGBTQ individuals in Uganda, while still a university student in 2004. He also serves as a fellow at Columbia University's Institute of Global Politics. In recognition of his impactful work, Mugisha received the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award and the Thorolf Rafto Memorial Prize in 2011.

Mugisha's advocacy extends beyond the borders of Uganda, as demonstrated by his involvement in a lawsuit against American evangelist Scott Lively, who had a role in Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Bill. Represented by the Center for Constitutional Rights, Mugisha and his co-plaintiffs took a stand against the propagation of homophobic policies. His efforts to address the roots of homophobia were not only judicial but also intellectual, as seen in his argument in The Guardian, where he traced the influences of homophobia and the Anti-Homosexuality Bill in Uganda to Western influences.

His courageous work in the face of adversity has not gone unnoticed. In addition to the aforementioned prizes, he received an honorary doctorate from the University of Ghent and was named one of the most influential Black LGBTQ people in 2014. His influence and the impact of his work were further recognized in 2014 when he was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize and later in 2017 when he was included in Fortune Magazine's list of the world's greatest leaders. In 2024, he was named on Time's 100 Most Influential People list. Mugisha's tireless efforts for LGBTQ rights in Uganda and beyond continue to resonate, emphasizing his commitment and dedication to the cause.