Police at Kabalagala Police Station have launched a search for a man identified as Douglas Kayiwa, following allegations of engaging in acts of homosexuality. The case was filed under Criminal Reference Number CRB 120/2022.
According to police reports, the case was reported by a whistleblower, a woman only identified as Josephine, who claims she caught Kayiwa in the act with another unidentified man at a hotel in Muyenga. Josephine alleges she captured photographic evidence of the encounter, one of which she eventually submitted to police after initial hesitation.
While police confirmed receipt of the image as part of their preliminary evidence, they are treating the case with caution and insist Kayiwa must present himself for questioning.
Authorities further state that Kayiwa has been out of the country, reportedly pursuing studies abroad. However, his return was expected on 1st June 2025, and a copy of his travel ticket—provided by his mother—confirms his scheduled arrival.
Since that date, Kayiwa has failed to appear at the police station as requested. Investigators also report that multiple visits to the Hotel, where he was said to be residing, have yielded no trace of his presence.
Police believe he is currently in Uganda and are appealing to the public for information on his whereabouts.
Kayiwa’s mother has denied the allegations, insisting her son is heterosexual and returned to Uganda to pursue marriage. She said the family had already begun preparing for traditional ceremonies expected to take place in July.
However, police maintain that cultural or family arrangements will not interfere with the legal process.
“Douglas must appear before us to respond to the allegations made against him,” a police official at Kabalagala said. “The evidence submitted is sufficient to warrant a formal investigation. Avoiding police questioning only complicates his situation.”
Authorities have now issued a public appeal for any information that could lead to Kayiwa’s location and arrest.
This investigation comes in the wake of Uganda’s recently enacted Anti-Homosexuality Act, 2023, which was signed into law by President Yoweri Museveni on 26 May 2023. The law prescribes severe penalties for various categories of same-sex relations, including:
10 years’ imprisonment for attempted homosexuality
Life imprisonment for confirmed engagement in homosexual acts
Death penalty for aggravated or forced homosexual acts
Given these strict legal consequences, police believe Kayiwa’s failure to report could be influenced by fears related to the harsh penalties prescribed under the law.
In Uganda, homosexuality remains not only illegal but also widely condemned socially. Police are optimistic that any individuals with knowledge of Kayiwa’s movements will report to authorities promptly.
