We envision a world defined by peace and justice where the health, dignity, and rights of gender marginalized and diverse refugees and displaced population are upheld.
Our Misson
Trans Refugee Initiative Uganda (TRIU) advances and strengthens the holistic health and wellbeing for transgender and gender diverse refugees and displaced communities in rural Uganda.
Our Work
Founded in 2022, TRIU fills a critical gap to address the complex, unique, and multi-faceted needs of rural trans and gender diverse refugees and displaced communities.
We use a trauma-informed, rights-based, harm-reduction approach to dismantle the structural barriers that block trans and gender diverse refugees from safety, healthcare, legal protection, and self-determination. Our work is grounded in evidence and driven by community.
Background
Uganda has the largest refugee population in Africa, hosting nearly 2 million refugees due to relative political stability and favourable open-door policies.
Trans and gender diverse asylum seekers face a significant hurdle in the domestic legal frameworks regarding Refugee Status Determination (RSD) especially those seeking asylum on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI). The intersectionality of Priority Population (PP) and Key Population (KP) among these individuals renders them further underground subjecting them to an acute convergence of vulnerabilities and critically obstructing their access to life-sustaining and saving services.
We operate at this nexus of humanitarian response, public health and human rights. We work to foster resilience, promote social inclusion and enable our beneficiaries to build secure and dignified futures.
Our Key Pillars
Legal Protection & Human Rights
Navigating asylum processes and advocating for SOGI-inclusive policy
Mental Health & Psychosocial Support
Trauma-informed care for individuals carrying extraordinary burdens
Economic Empowerment
Building financial resilience and independence
Healthcare Access
HIV/AIDS, TB, malaria, and sexual and reproductive health services