Ugandan man charged with aggravated homosexuality, faces death penalty

KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — Ugandan authorities have charged a man with aggravated homosexuality, which carries a possible death penalty, in the first use of the charge since the enactment in May of an anti-gay law that has been condemned by critics as draconian.

The law has widespread support in Uganda but has drawn pressure from abroad on Ugandan officials to repeal the measure.

The World Bank earlier this month announced a decision not to consider new loans to Uganda because of the law, drawing an angry response from President Yoweri Museveni.

The suspect is identified as a 20-year-old “peasant” in the eastern district of Soroti who was charged on August 18 with having unlawful sexual intercourse with a 41-year-old man, according to the charging document issued by police in the Soroti Central Division.

Aggravated homosexuality is defined as cases of same-sex sexual relations involving a minor and other categories of vulnerable people, or when the perpetrator is infected with HIV.

The charging document does not clarify the aggravating factor in the case, or say how the victim might be part of a vulnerable population.

It says the offence took place at a sports stadium in Soroti, but provides no other details.

No information was immediately available on who might represent the defendant in court.

The legislation has been condemned by rights groups and other campaigners.

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