UGANDA: A Belgian national and a Kenyan man were released by Ugandan police after being detained for "comitting homosexual acts", Belgian media reported

Record ID: 278033

  • Title: UGANDA: A Belgian national and a Kenyan man were released by Ugandan police after being detained for "comitting homosexual acts", Belgian media reported
  • Date: 29th January 2014
  • Summary: KAMPALA, UGANDA (JANUARY 28, 2014) (REUTERS) POLICE TRUCK ARRIVING WITH SUSPECTED GAY MEN AT A POLICE STATION VARIOUS SUSPECTED GAY MEN SEATED IN A POLICE TRUCK VARIOUS OF SUSPECTED GAY MEN WALKING INTO A POLICE STATION VARIOUS OF THE SUSPECTS SEATED INSIDE POLICE STATION (SOUNDBITE) (English) UNIDENTIFIED SUSPECT FROM BELGIUM, SAYING: "He was a guest for two days in this
  • Embargoed: 13th February 2014 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Uganda
  • Country: Uganda
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement
  • Reuters ID: LVA91D01SWLZLGT8F3EQKFTPH4TL
  • Story Text: Ugandan authorities on Tuesday (January 28) arrested a Belgian national together with his Kenyan friend for performing 'homosexual acts'. The two were arrested in a police operation after a tip-off from members of the public.
    Local Uganada media reported that police arrested the Belgian and his friend from Kenya on grounds of taking part in sexual acts that conflict with the natural order - a charge the two deny.

    "He was a guest for two days in this country and I swear to God, I swear to my mum, my aunt, my uncle, to everybody I love, this is false accusation, I didn't sodomise, he didn't sodomize, it is completely not true and I swear to God," said the Belgian suspect.
    Belgian news agency said the men had been later released.
    Uganda's parliament passed a law in December 2013 that makes some homosexual acts punishable by life in prison, a move that has raised alarm among gay people who are already afraid to express their sexuality openly.
    First introduced in parliament in 2009 as a private member's bill, the law initially proposed the death penalty for some homosexual acts in the conservative east African country.
    Homosexuality was already illegal in Uganda, but the new law prohibits the "promotion" of gay rights and punishes anyone who "funds", "sponsors" or "abets" homosexuality.
    Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has said he wanted the legislation to be shelved, despite describing homosexuals as abnormal.
    Homosexuality is taboo in many African countries. It is illegal in 37 nations on the continent, and activists say few Africans are openly gay, fearing imprisonment, violence and losing their jobs.
    The United States and others have already criticized the bill. Germany cut aid to the East African state last year, citing concerns about the bill.
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