Uganda arrests reignite global focus on anti-gay law

In north‑western Uganda, police in the city of Arua detained two women in their early twenties after neighbours reported that they had seen them kiss in public. The 22‑year‑old entertainer and 21‑year‑old unemployed woman were arrested on 18 February under Uganda’s Anti‑Homosexuality Act (AHA), according to a statement from police spokesperson Josephine Angucia. Angucia said neighbours provided photos and alleged that the pair had been living together and hosting gatherings of women, which they believed to be “same‑sex behaviour”.

Reports that the women have been held without access to legal representation, and their case has been forwarded to prosecutors for potential charges.

Passed in May 2023, the AHA has been widely condemned by human‑rights groups for imposing life imprisonment for consensual same‑sex relations and the death penalty in “aggravated” cases. Police said the women’s conduct fell under “queer and unusual acts believed to be sexual in nature”, a category that could see them imprisoned for life if convicted. “Aggravated homosexuality” includes repeat offences or acts involving minors or vulnerable people and mandates the death penalty. The law also criminalises the “promotion” of homosexuality, exposing activists and organisations to sentences of up to 20 years.

Rights campaigners say this enforcement reflects a broader crackdown on LGBTQ+ Ugandans. Frank Mugisha, executive director of Sexual Minorities Uganda, wrote on X that the arrests highlight a “grim reality” where the law has spurred blackmail and extortion, making victims “too terrified to seek protection”. Uganda has recorded hundreds of rights violations since the law came into force, including arrests, evictions and forced examinations, according to advocacy groups. Human‑rights organisations and western governments have denounced the AHA, saying it targets people for their identity.

The broader geopolitical context adds pressure. Uganda is a predominantly conservative and Christian nation, and the legislation enjoys domestic support. Yet international partners have responded: the World Bank froze new lending to Uganda in August 2023 over the law and only announced in June 2025 that it would resume financing after mitigation measures were implemented.

The arrests in Arua are likely to revive scrutiny of Uganda’s rights climate across the region and may factor into diplomatic and development discussions as governments and financial institutions weigh engagement with the country.