- In Uganda, the Constitutional Court has upheld the controversial law against homosexuality.
- The five judges who decided on a lawsuit against the internationally criticized law retained almost all of the provisions of the regulations.
- This also includes the death penalty and life imprisonment, which can be imposed in certain cases for homosexual acts.
In their 200-page judgment, the constitutional judges referred to the traditions and cultural norms and values of the East African country.
Human rights activists want to keep fighting
In their decision, the judges only lifted restrictions on homosexuals’ access to medical services. They also abolished the obligation to report homosexual activities to the authorities.
Legend:
A pastor known for his tirades against homosexuals, Martin Sempa, was in a jubilant mood after the verdict. “I won’t be able to sleep tonight because I’m so happy,” he commented on the verdict. (Image: Kampala, 04/03/24)
EPA/ISAAC KASAMANI
Human rights groups, LGBTIQ activists and individual politicians had sued the Constitutional Court against the law. One of the plaintiffs, Andrew Mwenda, said he was deeply disappointed by the verdict. “We came to the court with high expectations and hoped that the judges would rise above bigotry and prejudice,” he said.
“Instead they followed the public mood.” Together with other activists, he now wants to appeal the verdict to Uganda’s Supreme Court.
Precarious situation across the continent
The East African country’s parliament passed the law last year despite international criticism. Representatives of the LGBTIQ community have reported in recent months that attacks on homosexuals and trans people have increased since the law was passed.
At the beginning of the year, a well-known gay rights activist was stabbed and seriously injured. LGBTIQ is the English abbreviation for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex.
The legal situation of openly queer people is not only difficult in Uganda. Homosexuality is punishable in 32 African countries.