Young man prosecuted for “distinguished homosexuality” in Uganda – a felony, by virtue of law, which was ratified in May and is considered one of the most oppressive for members of the LGBTI+ community in the world –a judicial source said yesterday, Monday (28/8).
The 20-year-old suspect was “charged in Soroti”, in the eastern part of the country, and “remanded in custody”, explained the spokeswoman for the Ugandan prosecution, Jacqueline Okui.
According to the indictment, which AFP was able to consult, the young man is accused of having “an illegal sexual relationship (…) with a 41-year-old adult”.
At the end of May, the president of Uganda, General H.E. Yoweri Museveni, who considers homosexuals “psychologically disorientated persons”signed and made law of the state draconian anti-homosexuality text, which provides heavy penalties for persons having homosexual relations or “promoting” homosexuality.
The crime of “distinguished homosexuality” carries the death penaltywhich however has not been implemented in Uganda for years.
He forces her 20 years in prison for “promoting” homosexualitywhich activists say could criminalize any advocacy for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer citizens.
So-called “distinguished homosexuality” includes same-sex sex when HIV-positive.

The law was amended to state that simply being LGBTI+ does not constitute a crime. A measure requiring people to report homosexual activity was also amended so that reporting only when a child is involved.
“In practice, the police don’t care whether you have committed the act or not. You will be arrested for acting gay, walking gay” said human rights activist Adrian Dzuuko.
Same-sex relationships are already illegal in Uganda under a law dating back to the British colonial period. People from the LGBTI+ community are often arrested and attacked.

Proponents of the bill say broader legislation was needed to address what they say is, without providing evidence, attempts by LGBTI+ Ugandans to recruit children into homosexuality.
This law caused indignant reactions from the United Nations, human rights organizations and Western governments.
In early August, The World Bank has announced that it is suspending all new grants to Uganda after the controversial law was ratifiedjudging that it “fundamentally contradicts all of its values”.
The American president Joe Biden called the law a “tragic attack” on human rights. The head of European diplomacy Giuseppe Borrell spoke of a law that “contradicts human rights”.

The new law, however, is supported by a large part of the population in Uganda, a predominantly Christian and conservative countrywhere parliamentarians described him as essential breakwater to stem the immorality of the Westaccording to them.
President Museveni accused the World Bank of “putting pressure” on his country and added that Uganda will “develop with or without loans” from the international financial institution.
Source: News Beast

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