Last Tuesday, the 29th, a Ugandan court sought the death penalty for a defendant accused of “aggravated homosexuality”.
The defense attorney, Justine Baylasaid that the 20-year-old was the first to be prosecuted for the crime seen in the harsh anti-LGBTQIAPN+ laws, enacted in May of that year.
According to the indictment, the defendant had “illegal sexual relations” with a 41-year-old man, but did not provide further details. On the 18th, the defendant appeared in court in the city of Soroti.
According to the spokesperson for the Public Prosecutor’s Office, Jacquelyn Okuithe youth must remain in state custody until he is heard by the Superior Court, as he has been charged with a capital crime.
“Because it was a capital offense to be tried by the High Court, the indictment was read and explained to him in the Magistrates’ Court on the 18th and he was detained,” Okui said.
Bayla stated that Uganda’s anti-LGBTQIAPN+ laws are unconstitutional as they are being challenged in the courts.
The law in question can apply the death penalty in cases of recidivism, transmission of HIV during sexual relations between men or relationships in which one of the partners is under 18 years of age, elderly or has a disability.
Source: Maxima
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