Ugandan Police Arrest Four People for 'Acts of Homosexuality'

In Uganda, which has one of the harshest anti-LGBTQ+ laws in the world, police arrested four people Sunday for “acts of homosexuality” at a massage parlor.

The arrests occurred in Buikwe, a town about 35 miles east of the capital, Kampala.

“The police operation was carried out following a tip-off by a female informant to the area security that acts of homosexuality were being carried out at the massage parlor,” police spokeswoman Hellen Butoto told Agence France-Presse. Two of those arrested were women.

Uganda adopted the Anti-Homosexuality Act in May. It provides for the death penalty for what it calls “aggravated homosexuality,” including sex with a minor, sex while HIV-positive, and incest. Those convicted of having same-sex relations that are not of the “aggravated” variety can be imprisoned for life.

A previous anti-homosexuality law that did not include the death penalty, although that was considered when the measure was discussed by legislators, was struck down in court in 2014, not because of its content but because of the manner in which it was passed by Parliament.

The Anti-Homosexuality Act has been condemned by world leaders, including President Joe Biden, and human rights groups. Democrats in Congress have pushed for an amendment to the pending National Defense Authorization Act to prohibit aid to Uganda’s army or police forces.

This month, the World Bank announced it would provide no new funding for public projects in Uganda because of the law. Officials with the bank said they will try to negotiate “additional measures” to prevent anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination in the country. The bank will meet previous commitments and will consider private-sector loans selectively, while taking any steps necessary to assure there won’t be discrimination.