By Mukembo Wilfred
Nakawa Chief Magistrate Court has on Monday 15th, January, 2024 directed the police to arrest Edson Mushanga Mugurusi who is charged with the case of LGBTQ which is contrary to the laws of Uganda and punishable by the penal code act and the newly enacted Anti homosexuality.
The facts available indicate that Edson Mushanga Mugurusi was given a police bond on the 18th, November, 2022 at Nakwero police station on the case file number 1960/2022 on which he was charged with engaging in LGBTQ and causing death to Belinda James his suspected gay partner.
Mushanga who was stood surety by a one Kyomuhendo Maureen was meant to report before CID on the 2nd December 2022 but he never did but instead since went missing.
However, this website understands that the matter was resurrected by the relatives of the late Belinda James who was Mushanga’s gay partner that died on his way to hospital on the 16th November, 2022 after being thoroughly beaten up by the mob for engaging in gay activities. The family led by Belinda’s brother John Mwesigwa wrote to different authorities including the Wakiso Members of parliament seeking for justice.
According to the facts of the case on the 16th, November, 2022, Mushanga and Belinda who were heading to Busabala resort beach in a Cab were caught red handed by the driver kissing and romancing in the back seat. He told them to stop but they refused which forced him to stop the cab and force them out but they refused still hence making an alarm that saw a mob mostly motorcycle (Boda boda) riders gather.
On telling them the reason for the alarm made, the mob immediately started beating them up using every tool available including sticks, stones among others. However, the two were saved by the police who came by the patrol car. They rushed them to the hospital but because of the too much beating and bleeding Belinda died on the way.
After the treatment Mushanga who managed to survive was taken to Nakwero police station where he was detained but on the 18th, November, 2022 he was granted bond which he has skipped todate thus the warrant of arrest order by court.
It should be noted that Section 145 of the Penal Code Act cap 120, outlaws any unnatural offences which are described as any sexual acts against the order of nature. The sentence once convicted gives a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
The incident also comes at a time when in May this year, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni signed into law the Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2023 which enforces tougher measures against people who pronounce themselves as gay Uganda.
The restrictive anti-gay law has tough punishments and fines for those convicted of promoting, recruiting and practicing homosexuality or lesbianism in Uganda. The law also provides for a life sentence in prison for an individual convicted of same-sex acts in the country.
