A 20-year-old Ugandan man was brought to trial for homosexuality for the first time in the country’s history. He faces the death penalty.
The charges include “aggravated homosexuality”. The defendant allegedly committed an illegal sexual act with a 41-year-old man. The details of what specific actions are considered “aggravating” are not specified.
According to Ugandan LGBT legislation, repeat offenses, same-sex sex that has resulted in the transmission of a fatal disease, sexual relations with a minor or an older person, or a person with a disability can be considered “aggravating.”
“As this is a capital offense, the charge was read and explained to him in the magistrate’s court on August 18. He was remanded in custody,” said Jacqueline Okui, a spokeswoman for the prosecutor’s office.
The lawyer of Justin Baliy, who is a defendant, said that the law targeting LGBT people is unconstitutional. She also said that in addition to her client, four other people were charged under this law. The lawyer refused to comment on the details of the case.
For almost two decades, Uganda has not carried out executions. However, in 2018, President Yoweri Museveni expressed his intention to reintroduce the death penalty as one of the measures to combat rising crime.
- Same-sex relationships have always been illegal in Uganda, as in more than 30 other African countries. However, the new law significantly increased liability for these actions. President Yoweri Museveni has signed a law that provides for severe punishment for members of the LGBT community, including the death penalty or life imprisonment.
- This law provoked a strong reaction from the international community, which condemned it and threatened Uganda with sanctions. In August, the World Bank suspended funding for Uganda, the United States imposed visa restrictions on some Ugandan officials, and President Joe Biden ordered a review of the country’s aid.
