Two Women Arrested in Uganda for Alleged Public Kiss Face Life Imprisonment
Two young women in Uganda have been arrested and detained after allegedly kissing in public, an act that could lead to a life sentence under the country's draconian anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. Wendy Faith, a 22-year-old musician known professionally as Torrero Bae, and Alesi Diana Denise, aged 21, were taken into custody following a police raid on their rented room in Arua City, located in Uganda's northwest region.
Police Action Based on Community Reports
Josephine Angucia, the police spokesperson for the West Nile region which borders the Democratic Republic of Congo, stated that authorities received information from community members about "queer and unusual acts believed to be sexual in nature." According to Angucia, the suspects were allegedly seen "kissing each other in broad daylight" and hosting gatherings of women at their residence, prompting police intervention under allegations of practicing homosexuality.
The pair have remained in custody since their arrest last week, with no clarity regarding if or when formal charges will be filed against them. This incident represents just one example of the severe consequences faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in Uganda following the implementation of the Anti-Homosexuality Act.
Background of Uganda's Harsh Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation
Uganda's autocratic President Yoweri Museveni signed the Anti-Homosexuality Act into law in May 2023, despite significant international and regional condemnation. This legislation ranks among the world's most severe anti-LGBTQ+ laws, prescribing life imprisonment for same-sex relationships and even the death penalty for what it terms "aggravated homosexuality."
In April 2024, Uganda's constitutional court rejected a petition seeking to overturn the controversial bill, effectively upholding the legal framework that has enabled widespread discrimination and persecution against sexual minorities.
Human Rights Organizations Document Widespread Abuse
Frank Mugisha, executive director of Sexual Minorities Uganda (Smug), expressed deep alarm about the arrest of the two young women, describing the incident as "unjust and deeply troubling." Mugisha emphasized that this case is not isolated, noting "a sharp and disturbing increase in similar incidents across the country" where individuals are targeted based solely on allegations about their identity or relationships.
The Human Rights Awareness and Promotion Forum reported in January that it had handled 956 cases targeting LGBTQ+ people since the law's implementation, affecting 1,276 individuals. Human Rights Watch further documented the situation in its May 2025 report titled "Uganda: Anti-LGBT Law Unleashed Abuse," accusing authorities of perpetrating widespread discrimination and violence against LGBTQ+ people during the two years since the law was enacted.
Growing Climate of Fear and Extortion
Activists have condemned the escalating wave of blackmail and extortion linked to accusations and arrests, which places the lives of many LGBTQ+ community members in serious danger while fueling widespread fear and insecurity. Ugandan gay rights activist Hans Senfuma described the current atmosphere, stating, "The queer community in Uganda right now is not just afraid. We are grieving. We are grieving the freedom we never fully had."
Senfuma further explained that the arrest of Wendy and Diana sends "a message, loud, deliberate and brutal, sent to every queer person in Uganda: we are watching you, and we will come for you too." He described how thousands of LGBTQ+ Ugandans are taking extreme precautions, including deleting messages from their phones, moving out of shared homes, and distancing themselves from loved ones to avoid detection.
Calls for International Intervention
Human rights advocates are urging both domestic authorities and the international community to take immediate action. Mugisha called on "the Uganda police and political leaders to immediately stop the surveillance, harassment and targeting of individuals perceived to be LGBTQ Ugandans."
Senfuma made a passionate appeal to global powers, stating, "To the international community: do not look away. Do not issue a statement and move on. The funding levers exist. Diplomatic pressure exists. Use them. Two girls are facing life imprisonment. If that does not move you to action, I genuinely do not know what will."
The case continues to highlight the severe human rights crisis unfolding in Uganda, where LGBTQ+ individuals face systematic persecution under one of the world's most oppressive legal frameworks targeting sexual minorities.
