Accountant remanded on charges of aggravated homosexuality

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Godfrey Kavuma, an accountant for a Kanyanya-based Non-Governmental Organization, has been remanded to Luzira prison on charges of aggravated homosexuality involving a 16-year-old boy. Kavuma allegedly lured the boy into the act with promises of a job.

Kavuma appeared before the Kasangati Chief Magistrates Court on Monday to be updated on the progress of the investigation into his case. The prosecution informed the court, presided over by Grade One Magistrate Frank Nyakairu, that inquiries were still ongoing. Kavuma allegedly sodomized the boy in November 2022 at Kasangati in Wakiso district.

As the Magistrates Court does not have the authority to try capital offenses such as aggravated homosexuality, which fall under the jurisdiction of the High Court, Kavuma cannot yet enter a plea. Consequently, Kavuma has been remanded until August 20, 2024, pending the continuation of investigations.

Lawyers for the victim, Babu Ssali and Zahid Ssempala, claim that relatives of the accused have opened charges of extortion against the brother of the victim in an attempt to evade justice. The victim’s brother had accepted money from the accused for the boy’s medical treatment, as the victim suffered severe injuries, including intestines protruding and uncontrollable fecal discharge.

“So the man opted to treat the boy which the brother accepted but told him he would still report the matter to police. Now the relatives of the accused opened a case of extortion against the brother of that young boy victim,” said Babu.  Babu alleges that Kavuma previously worked with an NGO focused on physical disabilities and insists on justice being served, highlighting the victim’s severe physical trauma.

Kavuma, however, claims he is innocent and is being framed. The prosecution of Kavuma follows the enactment of Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Law, which imposes severe penalties for homosexual acts. Activists have challenged the law in the Constitutional Court without success and have since appealed to the Supreme Court.

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