The aisles of a clinic for HIV-positive patients on the outskirts of Kampala are almost deserted. However, staff keep an eye on CCTV footage for suspicious individuals, reflecting the fear of health workers after Uganda passed one of its most repressive laws criminalising homosexuality. “People need to trust their health workers, health workers need to trust their patients, but in the current circumstances, this has created a situation where everyone is afraid of each other,” says Brian, the clinic’s founder. During the three hours AFP spent in the clinic, no patients entered – a sign of the effects of the law on efforts to combat HIV in this East African country, according to Brian, who preferred not to give his surname, citing security concerns.