Uganda: Former national football team coach arrested for allegedly having gay sex with player
The former head of Uganda’s national football team has reportedly been arrested for breaking the country’s laws against same-sex sexual activity.
Ghanasoccernet.com reports Chris Mubiru was arrested on Monday and interrogated for more than four hours before he was detained at Katwe Police Station in Kampala for allegedly carrying out a sexual act with one of his team players in 2012.
The Ugandan tabloid Red Pepper last year published pictures of Mr Mubiru along with the caption “Smoked out! Uganda cranes boss nabbed sodomising players – Shocking pictures inside.”
“What we need now is to record statements of those who claim that he sexually abused them. Whoever has such a complaint should go to Katwe Police Station and help police prosecute the suspect,” police spokesperson Judith Nabakooba said yesterday.
Mr Mubiru has denied the allegations.
Ms Nabakooba said police are also looking at offences under Section 1 (29) of the Penal Code Act that makes it a crime if any person attempts to perform a sexual act with another person who is below the age of 18 years.
The crime, under Section 1 (29) of the Penal Code Act, is punishable by 18 years in prison on conviction.
Police are yet to establish the age of the individuals in the video.
Red Pepper is the same Ugandan newspaper that outed a gay retired British banker living in Uganda.
The 65-year-old had his trial adjourned for a third time yesterday.
Mr Randell has denied trafficking obscene material, which carries a two-year jail term. His Ugandan male partner faces a more serious charge of gross indecency, which carries a seven-year jail term.
Same-sex sexual relationships are illegal in Uganda with little to no legal protections existing for the LGBT community. A male convicted of same-sex activity can face up to life behind bars while a woman can face up to seven years.
