Hommam Al Nassim 
Uganda’s Constitutional Court has upheld the Anti-Homosexuality Act, after repealing some of its provisions that conflict with “individual freedoms”.
The court’s president, Judge Richard Butera, confirmed that the court refused to repeal the law entirely, as only some of its provisions were repealed, explaining that it reflects the will of the Ugandan people.
Among the items that were omitted were those relating to the mandatory reporting of “persons suspected of homosexual crimes”.
The court explained that these clauses violate individual rights and serve to discredit individuals without legal evidence.
Uganda has faced international pressure over the law’s passage, with the World Bank suspending all new funding and the United States imposing sanctions and visa restrictions on senior Ugandan officials.
Several African countries, including Kenya and Zambia, have passed laws punishing same-sex behavior, amid heightened relations between some African churches and the Vatican over its decision to allow priests to bless same-sex couples.
The African Union proposes a comprehensive peace initiative to end the conflict in Sudan