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Apr
06
2024
By SADIYA ANSARI
What you need to know about Uganda’s anti-LGBTQ+ law

What you need to know about Uganda’s anti-LGBTQ+ law

NEWS
A Ugandan court has upheld a sweeping law that introduced the death penalty for "aggravated homosexuality", leaving only one legal route to challenge some of the most punitive anti-LGBTQ+ measures in Africa. The Constitutional Court on Wednesday upheld the validity of the so-called Anti-Homosexuality Act, while striking down some of its key sections, citing health and privacy concerns. Here's the big picture. What is the Anti-Homosexuality Act? The Anti-Homosexuality Act (AHA) was signed into law by President Yoweri Museveni in May 2023, and its draconian measures have prompted U.S. and World Bank sanctions. While Uganda had long criminalised gay sex, the new law is harsher than its…
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Mar
13
2024
By The African Mirror
Ugandan court backs government’s refusal to register LGBT organisation

Ugandan court backs government’s refusal to register LGBT organisation

NEWS
A Ugandan court dismissed a petition by an LGBT advocacy group seeking to compel the government to register it, a lawyer for the petitioner said. Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) first filed the suit in the country's high court in 2015 after the government's registrar of companies refused to list it - which would allow the organisation to operate legally - saying its name was "undesirable". It also said at the time the organisation promoted the interests of people whose lifestyles were criminalised by Ugandan laws. In 2022, the Ugandan government suspended SMUG's operations because it was not officially registered. Same-sex…
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Dec
19
2023
By The African Mirror
Eviction, threats and suicidal thoughts: Uganda’s LGBT community endures trying year

Eviction, threats and suicidal thoughts: Uganda’s LGBT community endures trying year

NEWS
AS a Ugandan court hears a challenge to one of the world's harshest anti-LGBT laws, there's more at stake than the simple constitutionality of the statute. LGBT activists say the Anti-Homosexuality Act (AHA) has given Ugandans an implicit licence to abuse and discriminate against sexual minorities. While at least five people have been charged under the AHA since its enactment in May, including two for alleged offences that carry the death penalty, hundreds more have suffered torture, sexual abuse, intimidation and eviction at the hands of private citizens, according to a report released in September by rights groups. Reached for comment, government…
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Oct
03
2023
By The African Mirror
Ugandan court moves toward hearing challenge to anti-gay law

Ugandan court moves toward hearing challenge to anti-gay law

NEWS
UGANDA'S Constitutional Court took a first step toward hearing a challenge to an anti-gay law that rights activists and Western governments have denounced as draconian. The Anti-Homosexuality Act (AHA), signed into law by President Yoweri Museveni in May, is one of the world's harshest anti-gay laws and punishes some same-sex acts with the death penalty. Lawyers in the case met before the court registrar and agreed to reconvene on October 12, when the matter will be forwarded to the court's judges to set a hearing date, Nicholas Opiyo, an attorney for the organisations contesting the law, told reporters. "Our prayer is that…
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Apr
08
2023
By The African Mirror
Ugandan cabinet minister charged with corruption

Ugandan cabinet minister charged with corruption

NEWS
ELIAS BIRYABAREMA A Ugandan court charged a minister with several corruption offences connected to accusations of diverting metal roofing sheets meant to help residents in the restive northeastern Karamoja region, court documents showed. Prosecution of ministers for corruption is rare in Uganda, where stealing and the misuse of public funds and materials is routine. Karamoja, in a remote region bordering Kenya and South Sudan, is home to pastoral nomads vulnerable to frequent droughts and deadly cattle raids. Karamoja Affairs Minister Mary Goretti Kitutu was charged with several offences including "loss of public property" and "conspiracy to defraud," Kampala Anti-Corruption Court…
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Jun
05
2021
By The African Mirror
Ugandan court frees dozens of gay men

Ugandan court frees dozens of gay men

NEWS
A court in Uganda has granted bail to 39 people, most of them gay men, held for days after what police said was a raid on a same-sex wedding that violated coronavirus rules, but which a rights group described as a round-up at an LGBT shelter. Frank Mugisha, Executive Director of rights group Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMU), told Reuters 17 of the men had been subjected to rectal examinations in police custody, in what he called a "witch hunt against the LGBT community". Police spokesman Luke Owoyesigyire denied that the arrests were linked to the sexuality of the people who…
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May
26
2021
By The African Mirror
17 Ugandan activists, freed

17 Ugandan activists, freed

NEWS
ELIAS BIRYABAREMA A Ugandan court released on bail 17 of 35 opposition activists detained since the start of the year in what activists have described as a crackdown on dissent linked to a January election. The group, all supporters of singer-turned-opposition leader Bobi Wine, were originally detained on December 30 for violating COVID-19 restrictions on gatherings. When a civilian court ordered their release, their case was transferred to a military court, where they then faced firearms charges after police said they found four bullets at the home of one of the 32 men. Andrew Gutti, head of the military court,…
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