Uganda: 2025/2026 Snapshot
Uganda remains one of the most dangerous legal environments for LGBTQ+ people. The Anti-Homosexuality Act, 2023 created severe criminal penalties, and key provisions were upheld by Uganda\’s Constitutional Court in 2024.
What Is Happening
- 2023 law: Uganda enacted the Anti-Homosexuality Act with harsh penalties, including life imprisonment for same-sex relations and other related offenses.
- 2024 court ruling: Uganda\’s Constitutional Court upheld most of the law, striking only limited provisions.
- 2026 enforcement: International reporting indicates ongoing arrests under the law in 2026, reinforcing the ongoing risk climate.
Why This Matters
This legal regime fuels stigma, fear, family rejection, extortion risk, and barriers to healthcare and safe housing. For trans, non-binary, and gender-expansive people, the climate can compound already high social vulnerability.
Sources
Last updated: March 2, 2026 (US)
- Human Rights Watch (April 4, 2024): Uganda Court Upholds Anti-Homosexuality Act
- Associated Press (April 3, 2024): Uganda constitutional court upholds most of anti-LGBTQ law
- Associated Press (February 2026): Ugandan police arrest activists under anti-LGBTQ law
- Judiciary of Uganda (official press release PDF): Constitutional Court ruling on the Anti-Homosexuality Act, 2023