By Our Reporter
NATIONAL
Uganda’s Constitutional Court has ruled against nullifying the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023.
Reading its ruling today 3rd April, 2024 Justice Richard Butera said the panel of the 5 justices has declined to nullify the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023 in its entirety and also refused to grant a permanent injunction against its enforcement.
“Having held as we have the body of the judgment, we decline to nullify Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023 in its entirety,” said Justice Butera.
The judgment is in respect to four Consolidated Petitions filed against the Attorney General and Pastor Martin Ssempa.
On December 18th, 2023, the Constitutional Court comprised of the Deputy Chief Justice Richard Buteera, Geoffrey Kiryabwire, Muzamiru Mutangula Kibeedi, Monica Mugenyi, and Christopher Gashirabake concluded hearing of four consolidated petitions and promised to deliver their judgment on notice.
The main four consolidated petitions stem from various groups such as civil society organizations politicians, including West Budama MP Fox Odoi and seven others, Makerere University Professor Sylvia Tamale Dr Busingye Kabumba and seven others, Lawyer Robert Rutaro and three others, and Bishop James Lubega Banda.
These petitioners were pushing for the removal of the law criminalizing consensual sex among same-sex adults. The petitioners argued that the Anti-Homosexuality Law, aside from imposing severe penalties such as death and heavy fines, infringes upon constitutional articles relating to personal freedoms, human rights, and dignity while hindering the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Meanwhile, Veteran journalist, Andrew Mwenda and one of the petitioners says they are going to the Supreme Court arguing that he has full confidence that the Judges will stand above Uganda’s cultural prejudices and protect rights of homosexuals to live their lives as they wish.
