First Uganda Gay Sex Law Trial

Two men accused of having homosexual sex appeared before a Ugandan court today, the first to face trial since the adoption of tough anti-gay laws, their lawyer said. Kim Mukisa and Jackson Mukasa, who appeared in the court in the capital Kampala, are both expected to plead not guilty. Previous cases have been dropped because of a lack of… 

Two men accused of having homosexual sex appeared before a Ugandan court today, the first to face trial since the adoption of tough anti-gay laws, their lawyer said.

Kim Mukisa and Jackson Mukasa, who appeared in the court in the capital Kampala, are both expected to plead not guilty.

Previous cases have been dropped because of a lack of evidence, but defence lawyer Fridah Mutesi said the prosecution says it has witnesses and wants to proceed.

President Yoweri Museveni in February signed a bill that calls for "repeat homosexuals" to be jailed for life, outlaws the promotion of homosexuality and obliges people to denounce gays to the authorities.

The law drew international condemnation, with US Secretary of State John Kerry likening it to anti-Semitic legislation in Nazi Germany.

However, the two men were arrested in January under the old laws.

Lawyers say both are expected to be later released on bail, with a date for trial to be set later.

Critics have said Museveni signed the law to win domestic support ahead of a presidential election scheduled for 2016, which will be his 30th year in power. 

– AFP