Ugandan court rules controversial anti-gay bill ‘null and void’

A Ugandan court has invalidated a controversial anti-gay bill signed into law earlier this year, saying the measure is illegal because it was passed during a parliamentary session that lacked a quorum.

Activists erupted in cheers after the court ruled the law “null and void”, but some cautioned that the fight was not over: The state could appeal the ruling in the Supreme Court and legislators might try to reintroduce new anti-gay measures.

The law provided jail terms up to life for those convicted of engaging in gay sex. It also allowed lengthy jail terms for those convicted of the offences of “attempted homosexuality” as well as “promotion of homosexuality”.