By our Reporter .
Mukono | Last month, a shocking incident in a village near Mukono triggered legal and social chaos after two women, accused of being lesbians, a harshly punishable crime under Ugandan law, narrowly escaped a brutal mob attack.
During a regular grocery trip, Dora Namubiru and Winnie Murungi were confronted by a man who aggressively accused them of being lesbians. He attacked Dora, knocking her down and beating her while Winnie tried, unsuccessfully, to stop him.
According to the eye witness: as the attack continued, more people gathered, turning into an enraged mob shouting homophobic slurs and demanding punishment for the women. The situation spiraled out of control, but the local council chairman intervened just in time, rescuing Dora and Winnie and taking them to his office and commence investigations in regards to the allegations.
Under the chairman’s protection, the women managed to flea the scene under the guise of confusion amidst the tumult which has only fueled local tensions. The community criticized the chairman for allegedly protecting the women, accusing him of undermining moral standards. Authorities have now issued arrest warrants for Dora Namubiru and Winnie, in addition to an intense search for the duo.
Kampala Express has learnt that this incident has reignited heated debates about LGBTQ+ rights in Uganda, shedding light on the severe legal discrimination and societal hostility LGBTQ+ individuals face. Human rights organizations are closely monitoring the situation, calling for a fair and humane response and urging the Ugandan government to reconsider its stance on LGBTQ+ rights.
