That decision follows after pressure from various human rights organizations, such as Human Rights Watch. The United Nations had also expressed concerns about the group's arrest. According to this organization, the Ugandan authorities supposedly used the corona crisis as an excuse to discriminate against minorities.

“It is the right decision for the DPP to withdraw the charges since it was a targeted arrest with trumped up charges,” said Patricia Kimera to press agency Reuters, a lawyer from the Human Rights Awareness and Promotion Forum (HRAPF) who is representing the group.   

Kimera says she is concerned about the health of some in the group that was locked up for almost 50 days. They would appear weak and have symptoms of malaria and typhoid fever. In addition, group members living with HIV would not have had their medication during their imprisonment.

The group lived in a shelter for homeless LGBT + people. In March they were arrested and, as seen in a surfaced video, beaten with sticks and publicly humiliated.

Uganda is known for its hostile attitude towards LGBT + people. For example, a minister suggested to punish homosexuality with the death penalty. Also, an LGBT + activist was murdered with a machete last year.