As Africa grapples with Western conservative groups’ agenda disguised as “protecting family values,” a powerful story of resilience and love emerges from Uganda and across the continent. It is the story of mothers who courageously stand by their LGBT children, challenging deep-rooted norms and reimagining what family truly means.
Early this month, Nairobi hosted a landmark event organized by GALCK+ and PFLAG, the screening and dialogue of Super Moms of Uganda, a documentary. This powerful celebration of maternal love, advocacy, and LGBTQ+ allyship brought together parents from Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. These were not just any parents-they were mothers who chose love over prejudice, defying societal and religious expectations to defend their queer children. The gathering was a tapestry of emotions: tears during moments of shared pain, laughter in lighter moments, and a collective hope that united everyone present. You can watch the documentary here: Super Moms of Uganda.
These remarkable women are the same who, in 2023, penned an open letter to President Museveni, pleading with him not to sign the Anti-Homosexuality Bill into law. In their heartfelt appeal, they wrote:
“We urge you, Mr. President, to remember that every child is a gift and deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of whom they love. Our families are stronger when they are built on a foundation of love, not fear.”
Traditionally, African motherhood has been portrayed as strict, authoritarian, and uncompromising. But these “super mums” are rewriting the script. Instead of dictating their children’s lives, they are creating collaborative, nurturing environments where their children are seen, heard, and accepted. They bravely confront their own biases, choosing to see their children as human first-and in doing so, reshape the very fabric of African family life.
Their work is vital. According to a 2023 study by Minority Women in Action, one in every two queer Africans has experienced emotional, physical, or psychological abuse, often beginning within the family unit. For many, homes that should offer safety and love have become sources of pain. This violence is frequently justified by religious dogma or imported homophobic ideologies promoted by foreign organizations like Family Watch International and CitizenGO, which seek to undermine Africa’s rich tradition of communal care and acceptance.
Professor Sylvia Tamale, keynote speaker at the event and renowned Ugandan feminist scholar, powerfully addressed how colonialism shaped African ideologies of family and motherhood:
“Colonial motherhood is weaponised through concepts such as Mothers’ Union and Mother’s Day. The emphasis is on women’s maternal responsibility in the home. Super mums’ engagement with mother work has shaken such colonial conceptualization by moving mothering to the political sphere to construct a safe haven in the larger society for their children. Where the world sees queerness and shame in their children, the super mums see honor and feel love for them.”
This is a radical act. For centuries, African mothers were expected to uphold a narrow, colonial vision of motherhood-controlling, conservative, and confined to the private sphere. Yet, these super mums reclaim and redefine motherhood, making it political, public, and deeply compassionate. They challenge imported ideologies that have torn at the fabric of African families, drawing instead on indigenous values of community and acceptance.
As the fight for the rights of women and LGBT persons continues, these mothers remind us that families can be places of healing, not harm; of acceptance, not rejection. Their courage is a beacon, showing that another reality is possible-not just for queer Africans, but for all families on the continent. Let us honor these super mums, whose love and activism are helping to reimagine and rebuild what it means to be a family in Africa.