Ugandan authorities have brought charges of “aggravated homosexuality” against a man, which could result in a capital punishment, as per the newly enacted and highly contentious anti-gay legislation. This legislation is regarded as one of the world’s most severe, with provisions that classify “aggravated homosexuality” as a crime punishable by death and that impose penalties of up to life imprisonment for consensual same-sex relationships.
The individual in question was charged in Soroti, situated in eastern Uganda, and is currently in custody. According to Jacquelyn Okui, spokesperson for Uganda’s directorate of public prosecutions, the suspect is set to appear in court for the preliminary hearing of the case.
The 20-year-old suspect was charged on August 18 and is accused of engaging in “unlawful sexual intercourse with… [a] male adult aged 41”, according to the charge sheet seen by AFP. The charge sheet explicitly cites the “Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023” in reference to the charge of “aggravated homosexuality.”
Jacquelyn Okui noted that she was uncertain if this was the first instance of an individual being charged with “aggravated homosexuality” under the newly implemented law.
The anti-gay legislation, signed into law in May, has faced international condemnation from entities such as the United Nations, foreign governments including the United States, and global human rights organizations.
Despite global criticism, Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni upheld the law, asserting that he was executing his constitutional mandate. The law has garnered support in Uganda’s predominantly conservative Christian society, with many viewing it as a necessary defense against perceived Western immorality.
This stringent law has heightened fear within Uganda’s LGBTQ community, leading some members to seek refuge in neighboring countries or to conceal their identities. The Human Rights Awareness and Promotion Forum reported 17 arrests in June and July subsequent to the enactment of the law.
With the law’s implementation, the World Bank announced the suspension of new loans to Uganda, citing fundamental contradictions between the law and the values upheld by the lender. Ugandan President Museveni accused the World Bank of using financial leverage to manipulate the government into abandoning the legislation.
Homosexual acts are already illegal in over 30 other African nations. The enactment of the anti-gay law in Uganda has raised concerns that neighboring countries may consider adopting more stringent legislation targeting LGBTQ individuals.