Two young Ugandan women known as Wendy and Diana, who were arrested earlier this year for allegedly kissing, have had the charges against them withdrawn.
Veteran human rights activist Frank Mugisha announced the development on X on Wednesday.
He said the case against the two women, who had been released on bail, “has officially been discontinued by Uganda’s Director of Public Prosecutions.”
Pair Faced Life Imprisonment Under Anti-Homosexuality Act
Wendy, 22, and Diana, 21, attracted international attention after police arrested them on 18 February.
Officers raided the women’s room in the northern Ugandan city of Arua after receiving a complaint from neighbours.
Police alleged the pair were involved in “allegations of practising homosexuality”, “being involved in queer and unusual acts believed to be sexual in nature”, and “openly kissing each other in broad daylight.”
If convicted under Uganda’s controversial Anti-Homosexuality Act, the women could have faced life imprisonment.
Human Rights Groups Welcome Outcome
“Finally, Wendy and Diana are free,” said Mugisha. “Thank you to everyone who stood with them and supported them throughout this journey.”
SMUG International, a Ugandan LGBTIQ+ organisation that was officially shut down by the government in 2022, described the discontinuation of the case as “an important victory” for Uganda’s queer community.
Uganda’s Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation Still in Effect
Despite the charges being dropped, Uganda’s 2023 Anti-Homosexuality Act remains in force.
The legislation, widely regarded as one of the harshest anti-LGBTQ+ laws in the world, provides for life imprisonment for same-sex relations.
It also allows the death penalty in cases classified as so-called “aggravated” homosexuality.
In addition, the Act criminalises the “promotion of homosexuality”, placing human rights defenders and LGBTQ+ advocates at risk of prison terms of up to 20 years.
A legal challenge questioning the validity of the Anti-Homosexuality Act remains before Uganda’s Supreme Court after proceedings were postponed in March.
