Event: Uganda

Two women have been arrested and detained in Uganda after allegedly kissing in public, an act of “same-sex activity” which can lead to a life sentence in the east African country..Wendy Faith, a 22-year-old musician known as Torrero Bae, and Alesi Diana Denise, 21, were taken into custody after police raided their rented room in Uganda’s north-west Arua City last week.“Information was received from the community that the suspects have been involved in queer and unusual acts believed to be sexual in nature, besides being allegedly seen kissing each other in broad daylight,” said Josephine Angucia, a police spokesperson for the West Nile region, which borders the Democratic Republic of Congo.“It’s further alleged … that many ladies normally converge to stay at the suspects’ residence. It is upon that information that police acted by arresting the two female suspects under the allegation of practicing homosexuality,” she said.The pair have been in custody since their arrest and it is not clear if or when they will formally be charged.Uganda’s president, Yoweri Museveni. Photograph: AFP/Getty ImagesUganda’s autocratic president, Yoweri Museveni, signed the Anti-Homosexuality Act into law in May 2023, amid international and regional outrage. One of the world’s harshest anti-LGBTQ+ laws, it includes life imprisonment for same-sex relationships and the death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality”.Frank Mugisha, executive director, Sexual Minorities Uganda (Smug), said: “We are closely following this case and are deeply alarmed by the arrest of the two young women. This incident is unjust and deeply troubling, and it is not an isolated case.“In recent months, we have seen a sharp and disturbing increase in similar incidents across the country, where people are being reported, targeted, harassed and arrested based solely on allegations about their identity or relationships.”Activists have condemned the growing wave of blackmail and extortion linked to accusations and…