Uganda court to rule Wednesday on anti-gay law
People hold placards during a demonstration against the proposed new Ugandan anti-gay legislation which makes homesexuality illegal and punishable by harsh sentences for people identifying as LGBTQ+ in Pretoria, South Africa on March 31, 2023. PHOTO | REUTERS
What you need to know:
- The law was adopted in May last year, triggering outrage among rights campaigners, the United Nations and Western powers.
Kampala. Uganda's Constitutional Court will deliver a landmark verdict on Wednesday in a case challenging anti-gay legislation considered among the harshest in the world.
The law was adopted in May last year, triggering outrage among rights campaigners, the United Nations and Western powers.
Known as the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023, it imposes penalties of up to life in prison for consensual same-sex relations and contains provisions that make "aggravated homosexuality" an offence punishable by death.
The Constitutional Court in Kampala will issue its verdict from 10 am (0700 GMT) on Wednesday, deputy registrar Susanne Okeny Anyala announced on Tuesday.
The court challenge was brought by two law professors from Makerere University in Kampala, legislators from the ruling party and human rights activists seeking to overturn the law.
They say it violates fundamental rights guaranteed by Uganda's constitution, including freedom from discrimination and the right to privacy.
The petitioners also say it contravenes Uganda's commitments under international human rights law, including the United Nations convention against torture.
