Kawempe Police has arrested five people at Angola trading center on allegations of promoting homosexuality.
The five are; Sserwadda George, Kisingo Abbey, Namazi Brenda, Kisingo Shafiki and Nabacwa Brenda.
They all work with Spectrum Uganda Initiatives, a Non-Government Organisation that advocates for human rights of LGBT people in Uganda through litigation, policy influence, provision of basic health services and products.
At the time of the arrest they were conducting a sensitization training with a group of 30 young people that are currently on the run after fleeing as soon as police stormed the premises where the sensitization training was taking place.
The constitution of Uganda deems it illegal to engage in any form of activities that are considered homosexual. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in Uganda face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Activists estimated in 2007 that the Ugandan LGBT community consisted of 500,000 people.
The Uganda Anti-Homosexuality Act, 2014 was passed on 20 December 2013 with a punishment of life in prison for “aggravated homosexuality”.
The law brought Uganda into international spotlight, and caused international outrage, with many governments refusing to provide aid to Uganda anymore. In August 2014, the Uganda Constitutional Court annulled the law.
Nonetheless, LGBT people continue to face major discrimination in Uganda, actively encouraged by political and religious leaders. Violent and brutal attacks against LGBT people are common, often performed by state officials. Households headed by same-sex couples are not eligible for the same legal protections available to opposite-sex couples.
