There were “tears, dancing and celebration” in Uganda on Friday after the Constitutional Court declared null and void the country's anti-homosexuality law, giving LGBT activists and civil society groups respite from a long battle over Ugandans' human rights and their freedom to access anti-HIV treatment without fear of prosecution.
The court ruling, experts argue, is largely due to the relentless campaigning by advocates in Uganda and pressure from donors — some of whom suspended aid to the country following the passing of the law in February. It now limits the government's capacity to go after organizations supporting LGBT rights in the country and gives hope to similar movements in nations like Nigeria, where a similar anti-gay law is still in place.
But the fight for gay rights is far from over in Uganda.
About the author
Jenny Lei Ravelo@JennyLeiRavelo
Jenny Lei Ravelo is a Devex Senior Reporter based in Manila. She covers global health, with a particular focus on the World Health Organization, and other development and humanitarian aid trends in Asia Pacific. Prior to Devex, she wrote for ABS-CBN, one of the largest broadcasting networks in the Philippines, and was a copy editor for various international scientific journals. She received her journalism degree from the University of Santo Tomas.
