Human rights activists in Uganda have filed an appeal to the Supreme Court, contesting a lower court’s decision to uphold the country’s controversial Anti-Homosexuality Act (AHA). The appeal follows an April ruling by the constitutional court that largely maintained the law, only striking down a few sections deemed inconsistent with rights to health, privacy, and religious freedom.
The petitioners, including a lawmaker and prominent LGBTQ rights campaigner Frank Mugisha, argue that the constitutional court erred in dismissing their claim that the law violates human dignity and protection from inhuman treatment. They seek an expedited hearing, hoping for a swift resolution to the case.
The AHA imposes severe penalties, including life imprisonment for same-sex intercourse and the death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality.” It also criminalizes the promotion of homosexuality with up to 20 years in prison.
Since the law’s enactment, rights groups have reported over 1,000 cases of violations against sexual minorities, including arrests, torture, and evictions. The legislation has drawn international condemnation, with the United States imposing sanctions and the World Bank halting new loans to Uganda.
As the appeal moves forward, the LGBTQ community and their allies anxiously await the Supreme Court’s decision, which could have far-reaching implications for human rights in Uganda.