Subj : NO BAIL FOR MEN ARRESTED IN UGANDAN LGBT+ HOMELESS SHELTER
To : All
From : Major Queen
Date : Sun May 10 2020 10:07 pm
MAY 10, 2020 SOURCE EXPRESS
LGBT+ rights groups have raised concerns for the safety of the 19 men who
were arrested in a violent raid on an LGBT+ youth homeless shelter in Uganda,
who are yet to be granted bail.
Led by the Mayor of Nsangi Municipality, the Children of the Sun Foundation's
shelter for homeless LGBTQ youth in the town of Kyengera was raided by
residents and security forces.
While the authorities claim that the raid was related to the individuals
illegally gathering under the country's coronavirus lockdown regulations,
activists and the men's lawyers say that this was an excuse to target LGBT+
people.
The men - who range in age from 19 to 32 - endured homophobic abuse during
the arrests and some were reportedly beaten by police.
A search was conducted in the shelter to find evidence of 'homosexuality.'
Some of the items kept as evidence included bottles of PrEP, oral HIV
self-testing kits and several condoms.
They were formally charged with 'a negligent act likely to spread infection
of disease' and 'disobedience of lawful orders'.
The men have been denied bail because the lower courts are not fully
operational due to the lockdown. Their lawyers were also denied access to the
detainees.
It's been reported, that a High Court judge has issued a Certificate of
Urgency that will hopefully expedite the men's trial and possibly their bail.
This follows a petition filed by the Human Rights Awareness and Promotion
Forum (HRAPF).
Unless bail is granted before then, the 19 detainees will remain in Kitalya
Prison outside of Kampala until a scheduled court hearing on May 12.
Under colonial-era legislation criminalising gay sex in Uganda, those found
guilty of homosexuality can face life in prison.
