Uganda’s Supreme Court has set a date to hear an appeal challenging a previous ruling that upheld much of the country’s draconian Anti-Homosexuality Act (AHA), including provisions that allow for the death penalty in certain cases.
In April 2024, the Constitutional Court ruled that the AHA largely complied with the Constitution of Uganda, striking down only a few provisions.
These included clauses criminalising the renting of premises for use “for homosexual purposes”, the failure to report acts of homosexuality, and engaging in same-sex acts that result in another person contracting a terminal illness.
Law Still Imposes Severe Penalties
Despite these amendments, the law continues to impose life imprisonment for same-sex relations and the death penalty for so-called “aggravated” homosexuality.
It also criminalises the “promotion of homosexuality”, exposing human rights defenders and LGBTQ+ advocates to prison sentences of up to 20 years.
Activists lodged an appeal shortly after the Constitutional Court ruling, arguing that the law violates fundamental rights and freedoms and fuels fear, discrimination, and intolerance.
Court Date Confirmed
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court announced that the long-awaited appeal hearing will take place on 31 March 2026 at 10:00.
Responding to the development, Ugandan LGBTIQ+ rights group Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) said on X: “While the outcome remains in the hands of the Court, the hearing is a reminder that efforts toward justice for the LGBTQ community continue.”
Ongoing Impact on LGBTQ+ Community
Human Rights Watch has described Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act as “one of the world’s harshest anti-LGBT laws”.
According to the Human Rights Awareness and Promotion Forum (HRAPF), since the law came into force in 2023, it has documented 983 cases targeting individuals based on their sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.
In February 2026 alone, HRAPF recorded six arrests, three cases involving violence, two evictions linked to the victims’ sexuality, and three additional incidents of violence or discrimination. In one case, two women were arrested in the northern city of Arua after neighbours alleged that they had kissed in public.
A Critical Moment Ahead
The upcoming Supreme Court hearing marks a significant moment in the ongoing legal battle over the AHA, with activists hoping the court will overturn the law and uphold the rights and dignity of LGBTQ+ people in Uganda.
2 Responses
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