The single sharpest fact in one or two punchy sentences. Who did what, where, when, and why it matters. Not a summary of everything — the one thing that makes someone stop scrolling.

Two women, both in their 20s, were arrested in February in the northwestern city of Arua for kissing in public. The arrest sparked widespread outrage, including from human rights groups and the international community.

The women were accused of 'same-sex orgies' under Uganda's harsh anti-gay law, the Anti-Homosexuality Act, which imposes penalties of up to life imprisonment for consensual same-sex relations, while 'aggravated homosexuality' is punishable by death.

The case was thrown out of court by the Director of Public Prosecutions, with the deputy spokesperson saying, 'I confirm that the case was withdrawn from court by the DPP.'

The decision was welcomed by human rights lawyer Frank Mugisha, who said, 'Kissing is not a crime, and no one should be persecuted for who they are or who they love.'

Rights groups say the law is often used for blackmail and extortion of the LGBT community in Uganda, a conservative and predominantly Christian country.

The law triggered outrage among rights campaigners and condemnation from the United Nations and Western countries, and the World Bank suspended funding to the country. However, in mid-2025, the World Bank resumed funding.

The women's arrest and subsequent arrest sparked a wider movement against Uganda's anti-gay laws. Human rights groups and activists are now calling for the law to be repealed.

The case of the two women is seen as a test of Uganda's commitment to upholding human rights. The decision to drop the case is seen as a small victory for the LGBT community in the country.

The Anti-Homosexuality Act has been in place since 2023, and it has been widely criticized for its harsh penalties and lack of protections for the LGBT community.

The law has been used to target and prosecute members of the LGBT community, often with little to no evidence.

The case of the two women highlights the need for Uganda to review and revise its anti-gay laws. Human rights groups are calling for the law to be repealed and for the government to work towards creating a more inclusive and accepting society.

Key Facts

  • Two women were arrested in February for kissing in public in the northwestern city of Arua.
  • The arrest was made under Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Act, which imposes penalties of up to life imprisonment for consensual same-sex relations.
  • The law has been widely criticized for its harsh penalties and lack of protections for the LGBT community.
  • The World Bank suspended funding to Uganda in response to the law, but resumed funding in mid-2025.
  • Human rights groups are calling for the law to be repealed and for Uganda to work towards creating a more inclusive and accepting society.

The story of the two women arrested for kissing in public is a complex one, with deep roots in Uganda's history and culture. Uganda has a long history of conflict and violence towards the LGBT community, and the Anti-Homosexuality Act is just the latest example.

The law was passed in 2023, and it has been widely criticized for its harsh penalties and lack of protections for the LGBT community. The law has been used to target and prosecute members of the LGBT community, often with little to no evidence.

The story of the two women arrested for kissing in public is a small but significant part of a larger movement against Uganda's anti-gay laws. Human rights groups and activists are now calling for the law to be repealed and for Uganda to work towards creating a more inclusive and accepting society.

The future is uncertain for Uganda's LGBT community, but the decision to drop the case against the two women is a small victory in the fight for justice and equality.