Court to rule on Uganda’s anti-gay law

Ugandan preacher Pastor Martin Ssempa (right) speaks to anti-gay activists at the constitutional court in Kampala. Picture: Isaac Kasamani

Ugandan preacher Pastor Martin Ssempa (right) speaks to anti-gay activists at the constitutional court in Kampala. Picture: Isaac Kasamani

Published Aug 1, 2014

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Kampala -

A Ugandan court is expected to rule on Friday on a petition by activists who say the East African country's new anti-gay measure was passed during a parliamentary session that lacked quorum.

If the panel of judges on Uganda's Constitutional Court agrees, the whole law could be jettisoned. If not, then the judges will continue to hear the activists' argument that the law is unconstitutional.

The anti-gay measure provides for jail terms of up to life for those convicted of engaging in gay sex.

Although the legislation has wide support in Uganda, it has been condemned in the West and rights groups have described it as draconian.

The law was passed by lawmakers in December and enacted by the president in February. - Sapa-AP

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