In the East African nation of Uganda, some of the world’s strictest anti-LGBTQ laws are in place, imposing life imprisonment for those found guilty of engaging in same-sex acts.
These laws have garnered significant international criticism, leading to actions such as the recent suspension of loans to Uganda by the World Bank.
In the past month, several individuals have been apprehended on allegations of participating in same-sex relationships.
The latest case revolves around a man charged with “aggravated homosexuality,” who made his appearance in a Soroti court on August 18th, as confirmed by Jacquelyn Okui, the spokesperson for state prosecutors, in a statement to AFP news agency.
According to Reuters, he will remain in custody until his case is brought before the High Court, as it is considered a capital offense.
The man’s legal counsel, Justine Balya, expressed her belief that Uganda’s anti-LGBTQ laws are unconstitutional and are presently undergoing legal challenges.
Although no additional details regarding the case were disclosed, she did mention that this marked the first instance of an “aggravated homosexuality” charge being presented in court.
It’s noteworthy that Uganda has not carried out an execution since 2005, although the death penalty has not been officially abolished.