Cablegate: Ugandan Government Drops Case Against Gay Activists

VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHKM #1133 2280935
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 150935Z AUG 08
FM AMEMBASSY KAMPALA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0627

UNCLAS KAMPALA 001133

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV UG
SUBJECT: UGANDAN GOVERNMENT DROPS CASE AGAINST GAY ACTIVISTS

REF: KAMPALA 01087

On August 15, the Ugandan Government dropped the criminal
trespass case against Sexual Minorities of Uganda (SMUG)
activists Pepe Julian Onziema, Valentine Kalende, and Usaam
Mukwaya. The charges stem from an incident at the
U.S.-sponsored PEPFAR Implementers' Conference in June.
Poloff attended the hearing. The Directorate of Public
Prosecutions requested that the case be dropped but did not
offer any explanation for the move. Justice Olive Kazarwe
subsequently dismissed the case. The defendants and gay
activists present were pleased and somewhat surprised by the
outcome. Lawyers for the defense called emboffs and
speculated that Government may have been swayed by
behind-the-scenes U.S. pressure with Ugandan officials and
mounting international attention.
BROWNING

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