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Join the 2LEAD Fellowship 2026: Empowering Trans and Gender-Diverse Leaders

Tranz Network Uganda (TNU) proudly announces the 2LEAD Fellowship, a transformative leadership program under our Safe Horizon Project. Running from May to November 2026, this initiative empowers trans and gender-diverse leaders from Uganda’s Central, Eastern, Northern, and Western regions to drive advocacy, community mobilisation, and policy change. Through training, mentorship, community dialogues, and research, fellows will build resilient trans communities while ensuring compliance with Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act (AHA).

Seize this opportunity to lead impactful change and advocate for a safer, more inclusive Uganda!

Program Objectives:

    • Train fellows in human rights advocacy, digital and physical security, mental health, and community mobilisation to lead trans-focused initiatives.

    • Support fellows to facilitate regional community dialogues to raise awareness on human rights, peacebuilding and foster collaboration with duty bearers.

    • Enable fellows to develop advocacy and awareness-raising outputs, including policy briefs, position papers and online content to influence policy and public perceptions.

    • Promote sustained advocacy through mentorship

Who Can Apply?

We seek passionate trans and gender-diverse persons who:

    • Are aged 18–35 and reside in Uganda’s Central, Eastern, Northern, or Western regions.

    • Are committed to advancing trans rights and community resilience.

    • Can participate fully in the program, from June to November 2026.

Benefits of Joining:

    • Develop leadership and advocacy skills through a 5-day residential training.

    • Lead community dialogues to amplify community voices and engage key stakeholders and duty bearers.

    • Contribute to policy change through research and advocacy campaigns.

    • Receive mentorship and networking opportunities with activists and policymakers.

Program Timeline:

    • May 2026: Preparatory phase.

    • Last Week of May 2026: 5-day training for fellows.

    • June, August, September, October 2026: Fellows lead community dialogues, coordinated by TNU member organisations and secretariat.

    • June–November 2026: Monthly virtual group mentorship and individual sessions for peer-to-peer learning and strategy refinement.

    • June–November 2026: Fellows conduct research and develop policy briefs and position papers on trans rights, safety, resilience, and legal protections.

    • 3rd Week of November 2026: One-day dissemination workshop to share dialogue insights, briefs, and lessons learnt.

Application Procedure and Requirements:

To apply, submit the following documents addressed to Apako Williams, Executive Director, Tranz Network Uganda:

    • Cover letter (max. 1 page) outlining your motivation and relevant experience.

    • CV (max. 2 pages) highlighting your background and skills.

    • Copy of your National ID or Passport.

Email your application to info@tranznetwork.org with the subject line “2LEAD Fellowship Application 2026” by 8th May, 2026.

Download the Call for Applications and Application Form for full details.

Spread the Word!

Please share this opportunity with your networks and communities to connect us with dedicated trans and gender-diverse leaders across Uganda. Your support strengthens our collective advocacy for a more inclusive future.

For inquiries, contact info@tranznetwork.org or call +256 708 901 232 | 393 239 015. Join us in transforming lives and communities!

Tranz Network Uganda: Empowering Trans Communities, Advancing Human Rights

2LEAD Program Fellow Championing Trans Health in Uganda

Dr. Hirya Nahiranda is a medical doctor, and passionate advocate for inclusive health and gender-affirming care. His professional and personal journeys are deeply intertwined, each fueling the other in his mission to create safe, affirming spaces for queer and trans communities in Uganda.

Currently, he serves at Ark Wellness Hub, a queer-focused clinic that primarily serves men who have sex with men (MSM), while also providing care for a growing number of trans clients — many of whom he connects with through personal networks. His work spans general medical care, STI management, HIV prevention, and guidance on gender-affirming health, where possible within the current legal framework.

Outside the clinic, he extends his work into community education, participating in podcasts, facilitating in-person sessions, and sharing practical medical information alongside his lived experience as a trans man. These platforms have allowed him to challenge stigma, spark meaningful conversations, and bridge the gap between medical knowledge and the everyday realities of queer and trans people.

In his remarks, he says,

“My trans journey has been both the compass and the fuel for his career. Growing up, my difference was visible and often became the subject of gossip, bias, and doubt. Even in school leadership roles, my abilities were questioned not because of my competence, but because of how I looked. These experiences chipped away at my confidence, even as I kept pushing forward.

Working within Uganda’s restrictive legal environment has brought its own set of challenges. It has, at times, limited how much I could fully practice gender-affirming care beyond my personal journey. But joining the TNU 2Lead Fellowship marked a turning point. It deepened my understanding of legal realities, equipping me with strategies to work safely within them while still advocating for my community.

More importantly, 2LEAD has been a space of renewal; restoring my confidence, reconnecting me with my power, and surrounding me with a network of gender-diverse leaders. The human connections, including a close friendship formed with a fellow participant, have been deeply healing and inspiring.”

Today, Dr Hirya carries a renewed clarity. For every client he sees, every conversation he starts, and every class he teaches is a step toward the future he believes in; a future where trans and queer people have the care, dignity, and respect they deserve.