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Uganda's Constitutional Court is scheduled to decide a petition aimed at overturning an anti-gay statute that has been widely criticized for being among the worst in the world.
When the law was passed in May of last year, it infuriated the LGBTQ community, advocates for civil rights, the UN, and Western countries.
Known as the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023, it imposes penalties of up to life in prison for consensual same-sex relations and contains provisions that make “aggravated homosexuality” an offence punishable by death.
President Yoweri Museveni’s government has struck a defiant tone, with officials accusing the West of trying to pressure Africa into accepting homosexuality.
The Constitutional Court in Kampala will issue its verdict from 10:00 am (0700 GMT), deputy registrar Susanne Okeny Anyala announced on Wednesday.
The petition was brought by two law professors from Makerere University in Kampala, legislators from the ruling party and human rights activists.
They charge that the law violates fundamental rights guaranteed by Uganda’s constitution, including freedom from discrimination and the right to privacy.
The court will also determine whether the law was passed after sufficient consultation with Ugandan citizens, as required by the constitution.
