Two young women in their early 20s were arrested in Northwestern Uganda last week after neighbors reported them kissing in public and hosting other women in their one-room apartment.

Neighbors accused the women of holding “same-sex orgies” at the residence, authorities said Monday.

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Wendy Faith, a 22-year-old dancer, and Alesa Diana Denise, unemployed and 21 years old, reportedly moved into the studio apartment last week. They remain detained without legal representation after their arrest on February 18.

“Neighbors contacted police complaining the two were practicing homosexuality and were seen kissing each other in public,” local police spokesperson Josephine Anguci told AFP. The neighbors provided photos of the women kissing to back up their claims, she said.

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“They had seen many women going onto their one-roomed rented residence and spending nights there in what they suspected was same-sex orgies,” Angucia added.

The case was forwarded to the state prosecutor for “guidance and possible appearance in court,” the spokeswoman said.  

“Besides being allegedly seen openly kissing each other in broad daylight,” police said in a statement, “information was received from the community that the suspects have been involved in queer and unusual acts believed to be sexual in nature.”

“It’s further alleged that photos were taken to that effect, and that many ladies normally congregate to stay at the suspects’ residence. It is upon that information that police acted by arresting the two under the allegation of practicing Homosexuality, C/S 2(1)(2) of the Anti-Homosexuality Act of 2023.”

Human rights activists in Uganda denounced the arrests and the cruel outing behind them.

“They face LIFE in prison under the Anti-Homosexuality Act. This is not justice. This is cruelty,” said Ugandan LGBTQ+ rights campaigner Hans Senfuma. “FREE THEM NOW.”

Human rights advocate Frank Mugisha condemned the arrests, as well, saying the “Kill the Gays” law fuels blackmail and extortion against the LGBTQ+ community.

“This underscores the grim reality we are facing on the ground under the Anti-Homosexuality Act. We have seen a surge in a targeted crackdown that goes beyond just arrests; it has fueled a dangerous cycle of blackmail and extortion. Even criminals are now using this law as a weapon to prey on the LGBTQ+ community, knowing their victims are too terrified to seek protection,” Mugisha posted to X.

Earlier in February, a Ugandan court rejected the first case brought under the 2023 Anti-Homosexuality Act, after it found the man charged was unfit to stand trial due to his extended detention in prison between arrest and trial.

The women’s arrest under the draconian law follows setbacks for lawmakers associated with the legislation.

Asumani Basalirwa, who introduced the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023, and Sarah Opendi, who seconded the bill’s introduction and was notorious Parliament Speaker Anita Among’s right-hand woman, were both defeated in reelection bids earlier this year.

Opendi had called for the “castration” of LGBTQ+ men, claiming imprisonment wouldn’t stop them from being gay.

As well, David Bahati, who introduced the original “Kill the Gays” bill in 2013 — which was deemed unconstitutional and overturned on technical grounds by Uganda’s high court, giving rise to the 2023 reboot — also lost his seat.

Bahati has called for “serial homosexual offenders” to be hanged, and he actively lobbied for the passage of the second Anti-Homosexuality Act in 2023.

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