Lawyer Nicholas Opiyo’s Chapter Four Uganda claims the an*ses of some of the 44 homosexuals arrested in Nansana Municipality, Wakiso District, were forcefully examined.
Arrested on June 01, the 38 men and six women, were at an LGBTQ shelter, according to Chapter Four Uganda.
Police CID spokesperson Charles Mansio Twiine said the men at the gay wedding ceremony wore make up, wigs and dressed like women.
Gay rights NGO Chapter Four Uganda, largely funded by western countries and civil society, has condemned the arrests.
“We condemn the police raid on LGBTQ shelter in Wakiso on June 1 which led to the arbitrary arrest of 44 members of the community on allegations of violating Covid19 guidelines by ‘doing a negligent act likely to spread infection of disease,” said the NGO in a statement.
“This is the second attack on LGBTQ shelters in Uganda this year under the guise of enforcing Covid-19 standard operating procedures.”
Chapter Four Uganda argues that the manner of arrest and alleged anal examinations were a violation of human rights.
“During the arrest, police officers paraded the individuals to the media. Their photos were taken and videos were recorded and released to the public with a deliberate intent of outing them,” continued the NGO in its statement.
“While in detention, police further subjected at least 17 of the suspects to the intrusive, degrading, inhuman and cruel forced anal examinations. This is deeply concerning. There is no excuse for such unlawful practices.”
