16 men detained in Uganda on suspicion of homosexuality

A Ugandan gay rights organization says 16 men have been detained by police on suspicion of homosexuality and human trafficking.

According to Voice of America, a police officer who spoke under anonymity says the men were detained following a “complaint from the public.”

Diane Bakuraira of Sexual Minorities Uganda says the arrest took place on Monday in a neighbor hood outside the capital of Kampala as the men were being hosted by another rights group.

Attacks against LGBT people in Uganda are increasing as the Uganda’s ethics minister puts efforts to introduce a bill that would punish gay sex with death. The government spokesman however denies such a plan exists.

Uganda’s penal code punishes gay sex with up to life in prison.