Uganda drops charges against women arrested for public kissing

MGR Online•International•3d ago

Reader Briefing

Ugandan prosecutors have dropped charges against two women arrested for kissing in public under the country's strict anti-homosexuality laws.

•Two women around 20 years old were arrested in Arua city in February after being reported by neighbors.
•Ugandan prosecutors announced on Friday, July 17, the decision not to proceed with the case.
•The women were initially suspected of engaging in group sex with the same sex.
•The case was brought under the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023.

•Two women approximately 20 years old were arrested in February in Arua city after neighbors took photos and filed a complaint.
•Ugandan prosecutors announced on Friday, July 17, that they decided not to prosecute the two women.
•Irene Nakimbugwe confirmed that the case was withdrawn from court by the Attorney General.
•The arrests occurred under the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023, which prescribes life imprisonment for consensual same-sex relations and the death penalty for aggravated homosexuality.
•Human rights lawyer Frank Mukisha welcomed the decision and called for the Ugandan government to repeal the law.
•Human rights groups state that the law is often used to intimidate and extort the LGBT community in Uganda.
•The World Bank suspended funding to Uganda due to the law, although funding resumed in mid-2025.

Full article content is available on the original source.

Irene Nakimbugwe

"I confirm that this case has been withdrawn from court by the Attorney General."

ดิฉันยืนยันว่า คดีนี้ถูกถอนออกจากศาลโดยอัยการสูงสุดแล้ว

Frank Mukisha

"Kissing is not a crime and no one should be prosecuted because of their identity or the people they love."

การจูบไม่ใช่ความผิด และไม่มีใครควรถูกดำเนินคดีเพราะตัวตนหรือคนที่พวกเขารัก

Uganda(ยูกันดา)ℹ️

An East African country with a conservative population and strict anti-homosexuality laws.

Arua(เมืองอารัว)ℹ️

A city in northwestern Uganda where the two women were arrested.

Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023(กฎหมายต่อต้านการรักร่วมเพศปี 2023)

A Ugandan law that prescribes life imprisonment for consensual same-sex relations and the death penalty for aggravated homosexuality.

Josephine Angusia(โจเซฟิน อังกูเซีย)

A local police spokesperson.

Irene Nakimbugwe(ไอรีน นาคิมบูกเว)

The deputy spokesperson for the Office of the Attorney General.

Frank Mukisha(แฟรงค์ มูกิชา)

A human rights lawyer who called for the repeal of the anti-homosexuality law.

United Nations(องค์การสหประชาชาติ)ℹ️

An international organization that condemned the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023.

World Bank(ธนาคารโลก)ℹ️

An organization that suspended and later resumed funding to Uganda.