Two young women arrested in Uganda in February, reportedly for kissing in public, have finally been released from jail while they await trial.
The women, widely known as Wendy, 22, and Diana, 21, were detained on 18 February after police raided their room in the northern city of Arua following a complaint from neighbours.
At the time, police accused them of “allegations of practising homosexuality”, of “being involved in queer and unusual acts believed to be sexual in nature”, and of “openly kissing each other in broad daylight.”
Under Uganda’s controversial Anti-Homosexuality Act, the women could face life imprisonment if they are found guilty.
Activists Confirm Their Release
Reports indicate that Wendy and Diana were granted bail on Wednesday. Ugandan human rights activist Frank Mugisha confirmed the development.
“They are home with their families in good spirits,” Mugisha said on X.
However, he warned that the case is far from over.
“They still face active charges under the Anti-Homosexuality Act,” he added. It remains unclear when they will next appear in court.
Calls for Charges to Be Dropped
Mugisha, together with Amnesty International Eastern Africa, has called on authorities to drop the charges against the women.
Amnesty also urged the Ugandan government to repeal the Anti-Homosexuality Act and ensure that all people enjoy equal protection under the law.
The organisation called on Uganda to repeal the AHA “and grant all persons equal rights under the law regardless of their sexual orientation.”
Widespread Human Rights Concerns
Since the Anti-Homosexuality Act came into force in May 2023, Uganda has recorded hundreds of human rights violations targeting LGBTIQ+ people.
These include arrests, evictions, forced anal examinations, torture, and violations of the rights to equality and freedom from discrimination.
The law imposes life imprisonment for engaging in homosexual acts and the death penalty for so-called “aggravated” homosexuality.
This category includes cases involving the alleged transmission of HIV, sexual relations with a person with a disability or mental illness, an elderly person, or someone under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Law Also Targets LGBTQ Advocacy
The legislation also criminalises the “promotion of homosexuality”, placing human rights defenders and organisations that advocate for LGBTQ+ rights at risk of prison sentences of up to 20 years.
Human rights groups have repeatedly warned that the law has created an increasingly hostile environment for LGBTQ+ people across the country.
A highly anticipated appeal challenging the validity of the Anti-Homosexuality Act in Uganda’s Supreme Court was recently postponed, with a new date still to be announced.
