Cleopatra Kambugu

Director of Programs

UHAI EASHRI-The East African Sexual Health Rights Initiative

Cleopatra is a Ugandan transgender activist known for her historic achievement as the first Ugandan transgender woman to receive a gender-affirming national ID in 2021. She is currently the Director of Programs at UHAI EASHRI, an activist fund supporting LGBT and sex worker movements in seven East African countries. She also contributes to international forums and sits on multiple boards, including the International Trans Fund. Cleopatra has an academic credentials in Molecular Biology and Genetics. Her life and advocacy are highlighted in the Netflix documentary, The Pearl of Africa.

Event Schedule

DAY 1

20 July 2023

Start Time	End Time	Session	Description	Action
10:00 am EEST	11:30 am EEST	Growing Feminist Movements: Overcoming Challenges and Fostering Connections Plenary KCC Auditorium	Watch the recording here Strong movements are key to the progress and sustainability of gender equality across the world. But how do we build inclusive movements and Read More Watch the recording here Strong movements are key to the progress and sustainability of gender equality across the world. But how do we build inclusive movements and foster meaningful connections in times of crisis and polarization? This plenary is a space for the leaders of today’s pivotal movements to share their knowledge and experiences. Panelist will showcase how movements are working across silos and building transnational solidarity, while dealing with the political, cultural, and organizational challenges faced when attempting to grow feminist movement structures that meet current demands. Finally, this dynamic plenary will ask us all to explore how we can build solidarity and join forces in order to shift power on an unprecedented global scale. Moderator: Femi Oke, International journalist Panel: Building a Movement H.R.H. Mabel Van Oranje, Founder and Board Chair of Girls Not Brides Sr. Rosemary Nyirumbe, Founder of Sewing Hope Foundation Panel: Growing a Movement Stacey Abrams, Former Georgia State Representative Maryangel Garcia-Ramos, Executive Director of Women Enabled Ligia Batista, Instituto Marielle Franco Panel: Sustaining and Mainstreaming a Movement Cleopatra Kambugu Kentaro, Director of Programs at East African Sexual Health & Rights Initiative Jhannel Tomlinson, Co-Founder of GirlsCARE Jamaica Read Less Speakers Lígia Batista Executive Director Instituto Marielle Franco Jhannel Tomlinson Co-Founder GirlsCARE Jamaica Cleopatra Kambugu Director of Programs UHAI EASHRI-The East African Sexual Health Rights Initiative Sr. Rosemary Nyirumbe Director St. Monica’s Girls’ Tailoring Center/BMGF & Conrad N. Hilton Foundation Liz Fraser CEO & Brand President Kate Spade New York Maryangel García-Ramos Guadiana Executive Director Women Enabled International Stacey Abrams Political leader and New York Times bestselling author National Democratic Institute (NDI) H.R.H. Mabel van Oranje Founder and Global Champion Girls Not Brides: The Global Partnership to End Child Marriage