Women Arrested for Kissing in Uganda

By Melanie Nathan, Feb 24, 2025

Police in northwestern Uganda have arrested two women in their 20's after neighbors reported seeing them kissing in public. The pair has been detained since February 18 without legal representation under Uganda’s 2023 Anti‑Homosexuality Act, a law with penalties ranging from life imprisonment to the death penalty for "aggravated homosexuality." According to police, neighbors accused the women of "practicing homosexuality" and even took photos as evidence, also alleging that several women were seen visiting their residence.

The two women, a 22-year-old entertainer and a 21-year-old unemployed colleague, were arrested on February 18 in Arua city in the country's northwest, police said in a statement.

A search of their residence found no evidence, however, authorities say investigations are ongoing. Rights advocates have condemned the arrest, warning that the law is fueling blackmail, extortion, and deepening fear within the LGBTQ+ community.

The Police have named the women publicly but we have chosen not to spread their names for fear of further harm.

The below picture is on the Internet and touted as evidence. we have redacted the identifying factors including the very clear prominent view of two women kissing. It is highly unlikely that the picture is authentic- seemingly AUI generated. It depicts two women kissing in front of onlookers in a village. Either way the picture endangers the subjects.

Notes: Arua City is a major commercial hub in northwestern Uganda near the DRC and South Sudan borders, officially established in July 2020. It serves as the capital of the West Nile region, with a strong economy based on trade, agriculture (tobacco, coffee), and services. The city is known for its diverse population, featuring the Lugbara and Alur, and is accessible via Arua Airport