Ugandan man charged with aggravated homosexuality, which could carry the death penalty

A 20-year-old Ugandan man has been charged with aggravated homosexuality, a capital offense under a controversial law that was passed in May. This is the first time that such a charge has been reported, and it is not clear if there have been any previous prosecutions.

The man, who has not been named, was charged by a court in eastern Uganda on August 18, following allegations that he engaged in sexual relations with a 41-year-old man. It is not clear why this was considered to fall under the category of “aggravated homosexuality.”

According to the law, the “aggravated” category includes having gay sex with someone below the age of 18 or where someone is infected with a life-long illness including HIV.

Justine Balya, the defendant’s lawyer, told Reuters that Uganda has charged four other people under the anti-homosexuality law, but her client is the first to be prosecuted under this punitive category.

The World Bank said earlier this month that it was halting new loans to Uganda because the anti-homosexuality law contradicts its core values.

The law has been widely condemned by human rights groups, who say it is discriminatory and could lead to violence against LGBTQ people.

The Ugandan government has defended the law, saying it is necessary to protect the country’s “traditional values.”

The case against the 20-year-old man is still ongoing, and it is not clear what the outcome will be. However, the charge against him is a reminder of the challenges that LGBTQ people face in Uganda.