East African nation, Uganda has recognized activist, Cleopatra Kambugu as the first transgender citizen recognized by the government. Kambugu received her first government-issued photo ID recognizing her as a female after such a long walk to equality for the LGBTQI+ community.
Kambugu, currently the Director of Programmes for Uhai Eashri, celebrated her win on Instagram, in a message that sends hope for other transgenders in Uganda as below:
“Today it is monumental that my country chose to register me as a woman recognising me as a transgender woman, not some deluded ‘boy’. My prayer is twofold, that this win will be a win for other trans-Ugandans and that one day it should not be special for a trans person to be recognized by her country. I made it, we made it.”
Kambugu had been in activism for the transgender community in Uganda for quite some time, inspiring a documentary titled – The Pearl of Africa. Ultimately he says he will be happy when his new status will be duplicated across Uganda.