Uganda: Expansive 'Anti-Porn' Law Deemed Unconstitutional

Uganda: Expansive 'Anti-Porn' Law Deemed Unconstitutional

KAMPALA, Uganda — One of the world’s most restrictive “anti-pornography” laws, the indecency statute passed by Uganda in 2014, has been struck by the nation’s Constitutional Court as unconstitutional.

According to the BBC, the law was “quashed” following pressure from women's rights groups, with a panel of five judges unanimously ruling “that sections of the law that defined pornographic offenses, including a ban on ‘indecent’ clothing, were unconstitutional.”

The government had initially claimed the repressive law was needed “to prohibit the spread of pornography” and “to help protect women and children.” In practice, however, it was used for morality policing and led to misogynistic attacks that targeted women for the way they chose to dress.

“Critics say the law was misused, leading to women being attacked in the streets for wearing certain types of clothing, such as miniskirts,” the BBC reported.

The law also allowed for song lyrics and music videos to be labeled pornographic, and made the responsible artists criminally liable.

“In 2015, female musician Jemimah Kansiime — also known as Panadol Wa'basajja (medicine for men) — became the first person to be prosecuted under the law,” the BBC noted. “She faced up to 10 years in prison for a song which euphemistically referred to men's sexual prowess.”

'God Loves Uganda'

The African nation was the subject of the award-winning 2013 documentary “God Loves Uganda,” documenting how American evangelicals traveled there to spread homophobic teachings and persuade religious politicians to deny rights to LGBTQ Ugandans.

“One of the most powerful groups is International House of Prayer, a Kansas City-based mega-church with hundreds of outposts, more than 1,000 staffers and a declared mission to secure a ‘million new souls and a billion dollars’ for Christ by 2020,” Mother Jones reported in 2013.

International House of Prayer, led by spokesperson Laila Mickelwait, is the parent ministry of Exodus Cry, the anti-porn ministry that initiated the current War on Porn campaign against Pornhub and MindGeek.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

BranditScan Names Subgirl Newest Brand Ambassador

BranditScan has named content creator Subgirl its newest brand ambassador.

Arcom Reports Age Verification Enforcement Actions Against 5 Adult Sites

French media regulator Arcom released a statement Tuesday detailing recent actions to enforce age verification rules as set forth under France’s Security and Regulation of the Digital Space (SREN) law.

Pineapple Support, Clips4Sale to Host Performers' Partners Support Group

Pineapple Support and Clips4Sale are hosting a free online support group for partners and family members of adult industry professionals.

FSC Mourns the Loss of Board Director Emeritus Mark Kernes

Free Speech Coalition has released a statement regarding the passing of Board Director Emeritus Mark Kernes.

Alexa Creed Launches New Paysite

Creator Alexa Creed has launched a new membership site through MyMember.site.

Choice Talent Management Launches Fan Platform 'ChoiceFilmz'

Choice Talent Management CEO Chris Crisco has launched a new fan platform called ChoiceFilmz.

Dredd to Launch Official Site

Dredd has announced his new website OfficialDreddXXX.com, launching April 20.

New Pleasure Product Review Site 'ToyChats' Launches

ToyChats.com, a pleasure product review and discussion site, has officially launched.

AEBN Reveals Jade Venus as Top Trans Star for Q1 of 2025

AEBN has named its top trans stars for the first quarter of 2025, with Jade Venus landing atop the leaderboard.

SexLikeReal Debuts 'AI Passthrough' for Livestreaming

SexLikeReal has introduced “AI Passthrough” for VR livestreaming.

Show More