Victory for Wendy and Diana as Charges Under Anti-Homosexuality Act are Dropped
Arua, Uganda
In a significant and widely celebrated development, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in Uganda has officially discontinued the prosecution against Wendy Faith (22), a musician also known as Torrero Bae, and Alesi Diana Denise (21).
The two young women were arrested in Arua City in February 2026 after local vigilantes reported them to the police for allegedly kissing in public. Their arrest under the Anti-Homosexuality Act of 2023 drew immediate international outrage and condemnation from human rights defenders globally. If convicted under Section 2(1) (2) of the Act, they faced a maximum penalty of life in prison.
After enduring initial detention, being granted bail, facing subsequent re-arrest, and the looming threat of being forced into “conversion therapy,” the discontinuation of their case marks a crucial victory for the LGBTQ+ community and human rights advocates in Uganda and beyond.
Veteran human rights activist Frank Mugisha confirmed the news, stating that the case had been officially discontinued by the DPP. “Finally, Wendy and Diana are free,” Mugisha shared. “Thank you to everyone who stood with them and supported them throughout this journey.”
We at KuchuTimes Media Group celebrate this important victory. Wendy and Diana are finally free from the threat of life imprisonment simply for expressing affection.
However, we recognize that this victory occurs within the broader context of the deeply oppressive Anti-Homosexuality Act, which remains in force and continues to be weaponized against marginalized citizens. The legislation imposes severe penalties, including life imprisonment for same-sex relations and the death penalty for “aggravated” homosexuality.
The horrific realities of this legislation are evident in previous, high-profile prosecutions, such as the harrowing case of Michael Opolot. Arrested in Soroti in August 2023 at just 20 years old, Opolot became one of the first Ugandans to face the death penalty under the new law’s “aggravated homosexuality” provision. He languished in a maximum-security prison for nearly 350 days in pre-trial detention. Although he was finally granted bail in August 2024 and his charges were reduced, Opolot still faces a potential life sentence under colonial-era “unnatural offense” laws.
Opolot’s ongoing ordeal—and the looming threat of the death penalty for others—serves as a stark reminder of the draconian lengths the state will go to persecute LGBTQ+ individuals. It underscores why the dismissal of Wendy and Diana’s charges is both a rare relief and a call to action.
We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone—local activists, international organizations, and global citizens—who stood in solidarity, raised their voices, advocated, and supported Wendy and Diana throughout this traumatic ordeal. Your unwavering support made a difference, proving that international pressure and collective action are vital tools in the fight for human rights.
The struggle to repeal the Anti-Homosexuality Act continues, but today, we celebrate freedom for Wendy and Diana.