Uganda anti-gay law declared null by constitutional court

In a victory for Ugandan LGBT citizens all over the world, the Uganda’s constitutional court has scrapped the nation’s draconian Anti-Homosexuality Act 2014, on procedural grounds.

The news first came out this morning when journalist, Andrew Mwenda, tweeted:

First victory: Judge agrees with petitioners that there was no quorum when the anti homosexuality act was passed. Says it was an illegality

— Andrew M. Mwenda (@AndrewMwenda) August 1, 2014

Second victory: court declares the entire process of enacting the anti homosexuality law a nullity

— Andrew M. Mwenda (@AndrewMwenda) August 1, 2014

The retrogressive anti homosexuality act of Uganda has been struck down by the constitutional court – it's now dead as a door nail.

— Andrew M. Mwenda (@AndrewMwenda) August 1, 2014

A panel of five judges ruled on Friday that the speaker of parliament acted illegally when she allowed a vote on the measure despite at least three objections that not enough MPs were in attendance.

The anti-gay law was passed in December 2013 and was enacted in February this year by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and inflicts harsh like life imprisonment to people convicted of engaging in gay sex. It had also prescribed lengthy jail terms for people convicted of crimes such as “attempted homosexuality” and “promotion of homosexuality.”

While celebrating the ruling, activists warned that homosexuality still remains a criminal offence in the east African country under colonial-era laws.

Source: The Guardian