Katie G. Nelson

The World

Katie G. Nelson is an American journalist and photographer covering human rights, health and aid accountability issues in East Africa. She is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya.

Katie G. Nelson is an American journalist and photographer covering human rights, health and aid accountability issues in East Africa. She is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya. 

Up close image of Kenyan man wearing black sweatshirt

'Intersex' is counted in Kenya's census — but is this a victory?

Activists hope this will set a precedent for intersex rights in Kenya, but intersex inclusion is still far from reality.

'Intersex' is counted in Kenya's census — but is this a victory?
Patients wait to collect their HIV medication in Uganda at Mayuge Health Centre III in Uganda.

Tested but untreated: How Uganda's new AIDS efforts are leading to a drug shortage

Tested but untreated: How Uganda's new AIDS efforts are leading to a drug shortage
A Kenyan court has ruled that it is illegal to subject suspected gays to forced medical testing to determine if they're homosexual. The practice had been opposed by the country's medical community.

Gay rights ruling in Kenya could reverberate through Africa

Gay rights ruling in Kenya could reverberate through Africa
A man holds a large stone during a protest in Nairobi, Kenya.

Photos: As results show an incumbent victory, Kenya protests turn deadly

Photos: As results show an incumbent victory, Kenya protests turn deadly
Opposition party members chant campaign slogans in support of National Super Alliance Presidential candidate, Raila Odinga in Kibera, Nairobi. Kenya’s upcoming elections pinned current President Uhuru Kenyatta against his long-time rival Odinga, who has c

Photos: Kenyan elections are mostly smooth as both sides await the results

Photos: Kenyan elections are mostly smooth as both sides await the results
Child

As drought conditions worsen, famine looms over Kenya

In Kenya’s Rift Valley, known as the breadbasket of Kenya, almost one-third of the population is suffering from acute malnutrition, and an ongoing drought and recent infighting ahead of August’s presidential elections are only worsening an already dire situation.

As drought conditions worsen, famine looms over Kenya
Jacqueline, 24, a South Sudanese refugee living in Uganda receives a blessing from her minister.

Photos: South Sudanese refugees struggle to overcome ethnic divisions as they pray for peace

The civil war in South Sudan is becoming one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. For some refugees who've fled into Uganda, ethnic rivalries stoked by the conflict persist. But other South Sudanese are rejecting those divisions and hoping for peace — together.

Photos: South Sudanese refugees struggle to overcome ethnic divisions as they pray for peace
Aisu shows off an Ebola text message he recently received.

Uganda is leading the world in the fight to find a vaccine for Ebola

There are three vaccines in development in Uganda that could be used to prevent the spread of Ebola. But that's not the only way the African nation is leading the fight against such a deadly disease.

Uganda is leading the world in the fight to find a vaccine for Ebola
A stack of National Geographic magazines

How I stumbled across a pristine copy of a famous National Geographic issue

Katie Nelson is a freelance photographer and reporter in Nairobi. On a recent trip to a bookstore, she picked up some old National Geographic magazines, including one that is quite famous. The timing, though, was quite ironic.

How I stumbled across a pristine copy of a famous National Geographic issue
Around 100 people were forced to return to Kampala after Ugandan police shut down this year's gay pride event.

Uganda gay rights activists try again to hold a pride event — again, police intervene

At Uganda's gay pride event on Saturday, held at a private location, police again intervened to shut down the festivities.

Uganda gay rights activists try again to hold a pride event — again, police intervene
Alexander Clark hugs a friend

These are the faces of the protesters demanding change after another black man is shot and killed by police

After a police officer shot and killed Philandro Castile, protesters congregated in St. Paul, demanding police reform.

These are the faces of the protesters demanding change after another black man is shot and killed by police
A student carries his classmate out of the Silver Spring Secondary School in Nairobi, Kenya, after she collapsed inside her classroom.

Kenya's riot police fired tear gas into a high school for no apparent reason (PHOTOS)

There were protests for electoral reforms, but they weren't going on in this high school when police shot tear gas inside.

Kenya's riot police fired tear gas into a high school for no apparent reason (PHOTOS)
169_matatu

She's one of the only women to pilot a 'matatu,' the minibus taxis that keep Nairobi moving

The matatu is ubiquitous in Nairobi: the minibus taxis take men and women all over the city to work and back. But behind the wheel there haven't been many women. Margaret Wairimu is one exception.

She's one of the only women to pilot a 'matatu,' the minibus taxis that keep Nairobi moving
Gay pride lead image

These are the faces of gay pride in Uganda

The fourth annual Pride Uganda festival took place last week with a small but vocal number of gay pride activists and LGBTI activists taking a stand against Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Act, which criminalizes same-sex relationships with up to 14 years in prison.

These are the faces of gay pride in Uganda