Kampala, Uganda – In Uganda, where LGBTQ+ individuals face some of the harshest legal and social persecution, one would expect those arrested under anti-gay laws to face trials and long prison sentences. However, a closer look reveals a different reality—many of these individuals are never formally charged. Instead, they quietly return to society, leaving a crucial question unanswered: Where do they go after their arrests?
Investigations into Uganda’s law enforcement practices suggest a clear answer—bribery and corruption. Police officers, instead of following legal procedures, are using the arrests of LGBTQ+ individuals as an opportunity to extort money. Victims are threatened with charges that could result in life imprisonment, only to be given an alternative—pay a hefty bribe or be exposed, detained, and possibly subjected to even worse abuse.
Despite Uganda’s strict laws against homosexuality, a significant number of arrested LGBTQ+ individuals never face trial. Public records show few prosecutions, yet arrests continue to happen. Officers raid LGBTQ+ gatherings, homes, and safe spaces, making arrests that serve as little more than a tool for financial gain. Those detained are often released quietly after paying off police officers, allowing the cycle to continue.
A former police officer, who spoke anonymously, confirmed that LGBTQ+ arrests have become a profitable business for law enforcement. “Some officers go looking for people suspected of being gay, not to enforce the law, but to make money. They know these individuals are afraid, so they use threats of long prison sentences to demand bribes,” he revealed.
One of the many victims of this corrupt system is Moses Kayanja, who was arrested in December 2021 after a neighbor reported his relationship with his partner. He recalls being dragged to the police station, where officers beat and humiliated them before giving them a choice: Face trial under Uganda’s strict anti-gay laws, risking life imprisonment.
“The officers laughed, saying we would ‘rot in jail’ if we didn’t pay. They knew we had no one to defend us,” Kayanja said. Eventually, he and his partner managed to pay off the officers and were released without any formal charges.
Several other LGBTQ+ individuals have faced similar treatment, Patrick Nsubuga – Arrested at an LGBTQ+ gathering in September 2022, Patrick was detained alongside others. Officers initially refused them legal representation but later demanded payments in exchange for their release. “They told us, ‘If you want to see tomorrow, find money,’” Patrick recalls.
Simon Kayondo – Picked up during a police raid in January 2022, Simon was beaten and forced to make a statement under duress. Days later, he was quietly released after his family paid an undisclosed sum.
Brenda Namubiru – Arrested in July 2022, Brenda was held for three days and threatened with public humiliation before she was let go. A friend later revealed that her family had secretly paid a bribe to secure her release.
Denis Lwanga – Detained in March 2022, Denis was accused of “promoting homosexuality.” He was only released after bribing officers with the little savings he had, leaving him financially ruined.
Uganda’s police force operates with little oversight, allowing corruption to flourish. LGBTQ+ individuals are particularly vulnerable because they fear public exposure, rejection from family, and potential mob violence if their identities become known.
By keeping arrests off the record and avoiding formal legal proceedings, police officers continue to exploit LGBTQ+ individuals. This system ensures that arrests remain a constant source of income rather than a legal process.
Despite growing evidence of corruption, Uganda’s government has remained silent. Officials continue to defend their anti-LGBTQ+ laws while failing to address the police’s abuse of power. Activists say that as long as LGBTQ+ individuals remain illegal in Uganda, they will continue to be treated as easy targets for extortion.
For LGBTQ+ individuals in Uganda, arrest no longer means prosecution—it means paying for freedom. As long as corruption remains unchecked, police will continue using anti-LGBTQ+ laws as a tool for financial exploitation, leaving the victims in a cycle of fear, oppression, and economic ruin.
The question remains: Is Uganda’s crackdown on LGBTQ+ individuals about the law, or is it just another way for corrupt officials to make money?
