Activists celebrated as a court invalidated Uganda’s anti-gay law, declaring the legislation illegal because it was passed during a parliamentary session that lacked a quorum.
Although the measure was declared invalid, the state could appeal the ruling in the Supreme Court, as legislators could try to reintroduce new anti-gay measures. The anti-gay law provided jail sentences to anyone engaging in homosexual sex. It also allowed long jail stints for those convicted of offenses such as, “attempted homosexuality” or “promotion of homosexuality.”
[Image: AP/Ben Curtis]
The bill was passed on December 20, 2013 as the speaker of the parliament acted illegally when she allowed a vote on the measure, despite at least three objections, including the country’s prime minister, according to the panel of five judges on the East African country’s Constitutional Court. Ever since its passing, activists and protestors had acted against Uganda’s anti-gay law, claiming it violated certain rights guaranteed in the constitution.
The anti-gay legislation was enacted on Feb. 24 by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, who said he wanted to deter Western groups from promoting homosexuality amongst African children.