Breaking News! Activists Challenge Anti-Gay Law in Supreme Court

A team of 22 activists has appealed to the Supreme Court to overturn the Constitutional Court’s decision upholding the Anti-Homosexuality Law. The law, passed in 2023, criminalizes homosexuality, its recognition, promotion, financing, and normalization. The activists argue that the law violates fundamental rights and freedoms, including the right to fair hearing, equality, freedom from discrimination, privacy, profession, and health services.

The Constitutional Court had nullified some sections of the law, including those that criminalized renting premises for homosexual purposes and failing to report homosexual acts to the police. However, the activists are challenging the court’s decision to uphold the law, citing 13 grounds of appeal. They argue that the law was enacted without meaningful public participation, and that the Constitutional Court erred in its interpretation of the law’s financial implications and its impact on court decisions.

The activists, led by Member of Parliament Fox Odoi and Dr. Adrian Jjuuko, Executive Director of Human Rights Awareness and Promotion Forum, are seeking a declaration that the law is null and void. They are also praying for an expeditious fixing of the matter and a hearing date to prevent further rights violations.

The documents to be used in the case.

The activists have borrowed examples from countries like Namibia, where LGBTQ+ rights are respected, and are advocating for a more inclusive and rights-respecting Uganda.