Activists say Ugandan police took photos of the wedding guests to ‘expose’ them in the media

More than 40 people have been arrested at a gay wedding in Uganda and accused of ‘spreading infectious disease’.

The wedding was raided by police who took pictures of their faces to ‘expose them’ in the media, activists have said.

Gay sex is punishable by life in prison in the East African country, where it’s feared Covid restrictions are being used to persecute the LGBT+ community.

A police spokesperson told local media that they had received a ‘tip off about a group of men suspected to be homosexuals conducting a wedding’ in the capital city, Kampala.

The spokesperson added: ‘Immediately a team of police officers proceeded to the scene and a group of 38 adult males and six females were found conducting a ceremony at around 1pm that looked to be a wedding.

‘All the men had make-up and some were dressed as females in dresses and wigs.’ 

He said used condoms were found at the scene and he accused the ‘suspects’ of not wearing face masks or observing social distancing.

A spokesperson for Uganda’s Criminal Investigations Divisions later said the group would be charged for ‘doing a negligent act likely to spread an infectious disease’.

The plight of the wedding guests is being highlighted by activists online, who are raising money to pay for their medical bills and court costs.

One gay rights researcher said their colleague was at the wedding but managed to escape.

They wrote: ‘He is now in the hospital as he injured his leg while fleeing from the police.

‘Many others are stuck in the police cell where they are humiliated by Ugandan police officers.

‘We need money to bail them out, but that will only be the start of the difficulties that will follow.

‘These people were exposed in the national media, meaning that they will probably lose their jobs and support of friends and families, if they still had them.’

The researcher said LGBT+ people are often arrested after being accused of breaching social distancing measures and other Covid restrictions.

‘The global pandemic has served as the perfect excuse for the Ugandan government to violate queer rights and human rights in general,’ they added. - Joe Roberts, Metro

Ugandan Minister of Works and Transport Edward Katumba Wamala has reportedly survived an assassination attempt after getting shot nine times in Kisaasi.

Daily Monitor reports that the incident happened Tuesday morning at around 9 am. Video footage circulating on social media reveals the four-star army general walking with his clothes stained in blood.

The paper says the Minister was rushed to Malcom Clinic before getting referred to Medipal Hospital in Kampala for further medical attention. 

Reports coming in indicate that Gen Katumba’s daughter, Brenda Wamala Nantongo, and his driver, Haruna Kayondo, have been killed.

Gen Katumba and his daughter were reportedly heading for the burial of their close relative in Najjanankumbi along Entebbe road.

Gen Katumba has been serving as the Minister of Works and Transport in the Ugandan cabinet, since 14 December 2019.

He previously served as the Chief of Defence Forces of Uganda, the highest military rank in the Uganda People’s Defense Force (UPDF), from 2013 until 2017.

He was the commander of land forces in the UPDF from 2005 to 2013. He also served as the Inspector General of Police (IGP) of the Uganda Police Force (UPF), the highest rank in that branch of Uganda’s government, from 2001 until 2005.

Wamala was the first active UPDF soldier to serve as the head of the UPF. This is a developing story and it will be updated as more details emerge. Nyamilepedia

The African Union announced it was suspending Mali with immediate effect and threatened the impoverished country with sanctions, after a second military coup in nine months. 

The putsch has sparked deep concerns over stability in the volatile Sahel region and warnings of economic penalties from across the international community.

The AU “decides… to immediately suspend the Republic of Mali from participation in all activities of the African Union, its Organs and institutions, until normal constitutional order has been restored in the country”, the body’s Peace and Security Council said in a statement late Tuesday.

The move follows a similar suspension on Sunday from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

In its statement, the AU called for the military to “urgently and unconditionally return to the barracks, and to refrain from further interference in the political processes in Mali”.

It warned that if the military did not hand back power to civilian transitional leaders, “the Council will not hesitate to impose targeted sanctions and other punitive measures”.

Condemning the coup “in the strongest terms possible”, it added it was “deeply concerned about the evolving situation in Mali and its negative impact on the gains made thus far in the transition process in the country”.

Strongman Colonel Assimi Goita was at the ECOWAS crisis summit in Ghana on Sunday to argue the military’s case but has now returned to Mali.

Goita last August led army officers who overthrew elected president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, following mass protests over perceived corruption and a bloody jihadist insurgency.

After the takeover, the military agreed to appoint civilians as interim president and prime minister under the pressure of ECOWAS trade and financial sanctions.

But in a move that provoked diplomatic uproar, soldiers last week detained transitional president Bah Ndaw and prime minister Moctar Ouane, releasing them on Thursday while saying that they had resigned.

Mali’s constitutional court completed Goita’s rise to full power on Friday by naming him transitional president.

With the junta going back on its previous commitment to civilian political leaders, doubts have been raised about its other pledges, including a promise to hold elections in early 2022.

The junta said this week it would continue to respect that timetable, but added that it could be subject to change. Capital News

The two leaders agreed to review the 2018 Joint Permanent Commission for Cooperation agreement with a view of ensuring expeditious implementation of agreed upon agreements. Image PSCU

Kenya and Burundi signed several agreements on Monday that are aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two East African nations.

President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Burundian counterpart Evariste Ndayishimiye signed the agreements at the Kisumu State Lodge.

Evariste Ndayishimiye arrived in the country on Monday morning for his two-day official visit.

The cooperation agreements which were signed touched on agriculture, public service, foreign affairs, trade, sports, and culture.

Addressing the press shortly after leading their respective delegation in bilateral talks, Uhuru said the two countries have agreed to strengthen and deepen their long-standing fraternal relations with the aim of fostering sustained socio-economic development.

“The cooperation between our two countries is built on a solid foundation of shared values and principles; to foster sustained socio-economic development and transformation of our two countries, a vibrant and united East African Community, and an integrated and prosperous Africa,” Uhuru said.

He added that there are enormous untapped business opportunities between Bujumbura and Nairobi, and directed relevant ministries to review and address bottlenecks inhibiting the growth of trade and investment between the two East African countries.

Uhuru also announced a resolution by Kenya and Burundi to prioritise education in their post-Covid-19 recovery plans, and that the two countries would back the 4th replenishment campaign of the Global Partnership Education (GPE), which aims to raise at least USD5 billion for investment in education.

The two leaders said that they will continue working together in advancing the African agenda on the global stage, and reiterated their countries commitment to the progress of the East African Community (EAC).

“On regional cooperation, we exchanged views on various development matters in the East African Community (EAC); and reaffirmed our commitment to continue working together in championing the EAC integration agenda and the African Union Agenda 2063. On international cooperation, we reiterated our commitment to continue working closely at the level of the United Nations (UN), with a view to advancing the Common African Agenda for Integration and Sustainable Development,” Uhuru said.

As part of efforts to strengthen Kenya-Burundi bilateral ties, two leaders agreed to review the 2018 Joint Permanent Commission for a Cooperation agreement with a view of ensuring expeditious implementation of agreed-upon agreements.

Ndayishimiye expressed his gratitude to Uhuru and the people of Kenya for the role the country played in stabilising Burundi through international peace-keeping efforts, as well as through trade facilitation.

“We are enjoying the ties between our two countries both in investments and trade. I recall the role Kenya played in peacekeeping in Burundi and the facilitation of trade through the port of Mombasa, and Kenyan investors already working in Burundi,” the Burundi leader said.

The Burundi leader who is accompanied by First Lady Angeline Ndayubaha Ndayishimiye was received by his host Uhuru and First Lady Margaret Kenyatta. -

As part of efforts to strengthen Kenya-Burundi bilateral ties, two leaders agreed to review the 2018 Joint Permanent Commission for a Cooperation agreement with a view of ensuring expeditious implementation of agreed-upon agreements.

Ndayishimiye expressed his gratitude to Uhuru and the people of Kenya for the role the country played in stabilising Burundi through international peace-keeping efforts, as well as through trade facilitation.

“We are enjoying the ties between our two countries both in investments and trade. I recall the role Kenya played in peacekeeping in Burundi and the facilitation of trade through the port of Mombasa, and Kenyan investors already working in Burundi,” the Burundi leader said.

The Burundi leader who is accompanied by First Lady Angeline Ndayubaha Ndayishimiye was received by his host Uhuru and First Lady Margaret Kenyatta. - KEVIN CHERUIYOT, The Star