Uganda: Court strikes down ‘illegally passed’ anti-gay law
Uganda’s notorious anti-gay law has been struck down by a court, who ruled that it was passed illegally.
President Yoweri Museveni signed the draconian Anti-Homosexuality Bill in February. The law calls for repeat offenders to be sentenced to 14 years in prison and makes it a criminal offence not to report someone for being gay.
However, the country’s Constitutional Court today struck down the law, finding that the speaker of parliament acted illegally by moving ahead with a vote on the law despite at least three lawmakers objecting to a lack of quorum.
The court announced the ruling this morning to a crowd, with activists who support striking down the law cheering loudly upon hearing it was effectively “null and void.”
Ugandan journalist Andrew M Mwenda tweeted that the law was “as dead as a door nail” following the ruling.
First victory: Judge agrees with petitioners that there was no quorum when the anti homosexuality act was passed. Says it was an illegality
— Andrew M. Mwenda (@AndrewMwenda) August 1, 2014
Second victory: court declares the entire process of enacting the anti homosexuality law a nullity
— Andrew M. Mwenda (@AndrewMwenda) August 1, 2014
The constitutional court has declared the passing of the anti homosexuality act an illegality and therefore a nullity
— Andrew M. Mwenda (@AndrewMwenda) August 1, 2014
The retrogressive anti homosexuality act of Uganda has been struck down by the constitutional court – it’s now dead as a door nail.
— Andrew M. Mwenda (@AndrewMwenda) August 1, 2014
The US recently announced sanctions against Uganda, following the implementation of the law.
EU foreign policy chief Baroness Ashton described the move as “draconian”.
UK Foreign Secretary William Hague said he was “deeply saddened and disappointed”.
More to follow.
