For many trans people in Uganda, daily life is not just about navigating identity; it is about survival. Beyond the weight of stigma lies an even heavier burden: the constant threat of violence, harassment, and persecution. Online, this can mean blackmail and exposure. Offline, it can mean intimidation and even physical attacks. These realities often leave people feeling isolated and unprotected.

At Tranz Network Uganda (TNU), we knew something had to change. Safety is not a luxury; it is a right. With this in mind, we launched the Safe & Seen: Digital Empowerment Series, a program designed to give trans communities the tools, knowledge, and confidence to stay safe in an increasingly hostile environment.

At the heart of the initiative was a unique Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop that brought together ten trans individuals from different regions of Uganda. They came as participants, but left as pioneers. Through mentorship and practical training, each of them stepped into a new role as Trans Digital Safety Ambassadors, trusted voices within their communities who could offer guidance, support, and immediate help in times of digital or physical emergencies.

The training was not intended to be a one-time event that concluded with the workshop’s closure. Instead, it marked the beginning of a sustained, community-driven effort. Participants learned how to move more safely through online spaces, how to protect their personal information from blackmail and surveillance, and how to respond to online harassment and digital threats. They also explored practical ways to strengthen physical safety in environments where the risk of violence is always present.

This work has become even more urgent under the shadow of Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act, which has intensified dangers both online and offline. In such a climate, knowledge becomes more than power; it becomes protection. That is why the program also linked participants to the TNU toll-free hotline, ensuring that they and their communities have somewhere to turn for emergency support, legal guidance, and access to health services. For many who are cut off from care, this connection is not just helpful; it is life-saving.

The Safe & Seen: Digital Empowerment Series is about much more than teaching technical skills. It is about instilling confidence, nurturing resilience, and reminding people that they are not alone. It is about creating a network of solidarity where safety is shared, and where being visible is not just an act of identity but also an act of courage.

In every trans person who dares to stay visible despite the risks, there is a story of quiet resistance. Through this program, TNU is helping those stories multiply, strengthening the collective voice of a community determined not only to survive, but to thrive.