Clare Byarugaba, a renowned Ugandan LGBTQI rights activist whose recent photo with Pope Francis went viral online, has been named by Human Rights First as the winner of this year’s prestigious William D. Zabel Human Rights Award in recognition of her remarkable work in advocating for the rights of LGBTQI+ people in Uganda. In a press release issued September 30, Human Rights First President and CEO Sue Hendrickson stated that Byarugaba’s longstanding commitment to pursuing justice and equality for the Ugandan LGBTQI+ community, often at great personal risk, is inspiring. “From leading coalitions and galvanizing allies to fight Uganda’s two recent anti-LGBTQI+ rights laws, to co-organizing Uganda’s first gay pride event, Clare has been a leading voice fighting for the rights of LGBTQI+ people in Uganda. She has built national and international solidarity to push for an end to injustice” Hendrickson says.