Uganda’s Constitutional Court has upheld the country’s controversial anti-homosexuality law, which imposes life imprisonment and the death penalty on those involved in certain same-sex acts.
But the court did weaken the legislation, saying that parts of it violated constitutional rights.
Sections that criminalise behaviour such as allowing gay sex to happen on one’s property, failing to report acts of homosexuality and giving someone a terminal illness through gay sex are to be struck.
“We decline to nullify the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023 in its entirety, neither will we grant a permanent injunction against its enforcement,” lead judge Richard Buteera said during the ruling on Wednesday.
The petitioners said they would appeal against the ruling.
The petition to overturn the law was brought by a collective of Ugandan academics, human rights activists, lawyers, journalists, legislators and religious leaders.
They argued that the law violates fundamental rights provided in the constitution, such as the right to privacy and freedom from discrimination.
They added that the law breached the country’s commitments under international human rights laws.
Despite such concerns, the law has enjoyed broad support in the country. Lawmakers have accused opponents in the West of trying to pressure Africa into accepting homosexuality.
