According to authorities and his lawyer, a 20-year-old male has been charged with "aggravated homosexuality," a crime punishable by death under the country's recently implemented anti-gay law.

Uganda approved one of the world's worst laws targeting the LGBT population in May, defying criticism from Western countries and rights organizations.

It punishes same-sex relations with life in prison. The death sentence may be applied in "aggravated" situations, which include recurrent offenses, gay sex that transmits terminal sickness, or same-sex intercourse with a kid, elderly person, or disabled person.

According to a charge sheet obtained by Reuters, the defendant was charged with aggravated homosexuality on August 18 after he "performed unlawful sexual intercourse" with a 41-year-old male. It did not state why the act was deemed aggravating.


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"Since it is a capital offence triable by the High Court, the charge was read out and explained to him in the Magistrate's Court on (the) 18th and he was remanded," Jacqueline Okui, spokesperson for the director of public prosecutions, told Reuters.

Okui did not disclose any other information on the matter. She stated that she was not aware of anyone else being charged with aggravated homosexuality in the past.

A counsel for the defendant, Justine Balya, stated that she believed the entire law was unlawful. The statute has been challenged in court, but the courts have yet to hear it.

Balya stated that four other persons had been charged under the law since its passage and that her client was the first to face charges for aggravated homosexuality. She refused to discuss the circumstances of his case.

Uganda has not executed anyone in nearly two decades. Still, the death penalty has not been abolished, and President Yoweri Museveni promised to begin executions in 2018 to stem a rise in crime.


The law's passage three months ago attracted significant outrage and threats of legal repercussions. In response to the law, the World Bank froze new public financing to Uganda earlier this month.

Visa restrictions have also been imposed on some Ugandan officials, and President Joe Biden has ordered a review of US aid to Uganda.