Popular queer Ugandan rapper Keko has announced in a tweet this week that she’s been granted Canadian citizenship.
“Thank you Canada for giving me a new home,” Keko wrote. “I feel free like a new person it was a burden to live in a box and walk on egg shells.”
“My gay ass is free yes free and there will be a wedding you best believe,” she said in another tweet.
Same-sex sexual activity has been criminalised in Uganda since 2014 under the Anti-Homosexuality Act. Those who are found guilty of ‘aggravated homosexuality’ face a punishment of life imprisonment.
Local LGBT+ Organisation Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) said “We shall not allow this intimidation, the Constitution grants us freedom of assembly, the struggle will go on.”
“Pride is about celebrating who we are, giving courage and hope to those LGBTI individuals who are living lonely and isolated lives in hostile communities, for them to know they are not alone.”
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Keko came out publicly for the first time this year in an —a bold move to make while she was still based in Kampala.
“I’m sure everybody in the entire country knows I’m gay,” she said.
"They are probably still [in] denial, but I’m not. I speak on it because there are so many kids out there that are like that ... people always have that notion where they say, 'Oh, [being gay] is such a Western thing, they are copying it from the movies.'
“So, I speak on it because people need to live freer lives. And this is Africa. So, there is still a lot of time before that happens.
“But if they can look back and be like, "Well, Keko was not afraid to be open about it and stand up for herself, then I can just be myself."
