Uganda: Trial begins of two men charged under anti-gay law

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The trial of two men in Uganda charged with engaging in acts “against the order of nature”, under a new anti-gay law has begun.

This is the first trial since the law harshening penalties for those found guilty of homosexuality was enacted earlier this year.

They appeared at a magistrate’s court on Wednesday in Kampala in order to apply for bail following the announcement that prosecutors believed to have enough evidence, will proceed with a case against them.

According to the Human Rights Awareness and Promotion Forum, the men were arrested in January after fleeing from a mob.

Following their arrest, they were charged with engaging in acts “against the order of nature”, reports the Associated Press.

President Yoweri Museveni signed the draconian Anti-Homosexuality Bill in front of politicians and reporters in February at State House, his official residence in Entebbe.

The law calls for repeat offenders to be sentenced to 14 years in prison and makes it a criminal offence not to report someone for being gay.