ARUA, Uganda — Two Ugandan women were arrested in Arua City, northwestern Uganda, for kissing in public, police confirmed on Tuesday.
The arrest was made under Uganda’s 2023 Anti-Homosexuality Act, which criminalizes same-sex sexual activity and imposes penalties of up to life imprisonment, while “aggravated homosexuality” carries the death penalty.
The women, Wendy Faith, 22, a dancer, and Alesi Diana Denise, 21, unemployed, were arrested on February 18, 2026, at their residence in Alengo Cell, Pokea Ward, Ayivu West Division. They had been living together in one room since 12th February.
According to West Nile police spokesperson Josephine Angucia, neighbours reported seeing the women engaging in same-sex sexual acts and openly kissing in public. “Community members also claimed that other women frequently visited their residence,” Angucia said. Photos were reportedly taken as evidence.
Police conducted a search of the residence, interviewed the suspects, and documented the scene. Nothing was recovered during the search, but the statements of the women were recorded and attached to the case file. They are currently detained at Ayivu West Division, awaiting guidance from the state prosecutor for possible court appearances.
Human rights advocate Frank Mugisha condemned the arrests, saying on X that they “underscore the grim reality” faced by LGBTQ+ people under Uganda’s anti-gay law. He added, “This law is being used as a tool for blackmail and extortion, as victims are often too afraid to seek protection.”
Uganda, a conservative and predominantly Christian country, has faced international criticism for its anti-gay legislation. The 2023 Act significantly expanded the criminalization of same-sex relations, penalizing consensual sexual acts, promotion, and “aggravated” offences, though it does not criminalize identifying as LGBTQ+.
The law prompted condemnation from the United Nations and Western countries and led to a temporary suspension of World Bank funding, which resumed in mid-2025.
