Uganda: Gay pride parade stopped

A planned gay parade in Uganda was on Saturday stopped by police.

Authorities threatened to arrest the organisers of the event, arguing such gatherings were illegal under Uganda’s penal code.

On Saturday armed policemen blocked over 100 LGBT people from staging the annual event at two separate locations outside the capital, Kampala.

Patrons were ordered into the vehicles and driven to Kampala for questioning. They were later set free without any charges.

In August police raided a night club where a gay pride event was underway and arrested at least 15 people, accusing them of staging an illegal gathering and promoting homosexuality.

In 2009, a Ugandan lawmaker introduced a bill that prescribed the death penalty for some homosexual acts, saying he wanted to protect Ugandan children. The proposed bill prompted international condemnation. A less severe version of the bill passed by lawmakers was rejected by a Ugandan court as unconstitutional.