February 27, 2026

ARUA CITY – In a distressing turn of events that highlights the targeted harassment of the LGBTQ+ community in Uganda, Wendy Faith (22) and Alesi Diana Denise (21) were re-arrested today at 3:00 PM, just hours after being released from police custody this morning.

The two women, who were initially detained on February 18 following reports from community members in Alengo Cell, Ayivu West Division, have become the latest faces of the state’s aggressive enforcement of the Anti-Homosexuality Act (2023). After spending over a week in detention, their brief moment of freedom today was cut short by a swift re-arrest that has left the local community and human rights defenders in a state of shock.

The “Revolving Door” of Detention

The morning began with a glimmer of hope as legal representatives and advocates confirmed the pair had been released from the Ayivu West Division police station. However, by mid-afternoon, security forces intercepted the women again. Sources indicate that the re-arrest may be linked to “supplementary evidence” or instructions from the state prosecutor, though many activists view this as a clear tactic of psychological warfare and intimidation.

“The law is being used as a tool for public surveillance and neighbor-on-neighbor policing,” says a local advocate following the case. “To release someone and then snatch them back within hours is a violation of their dignity and a move designed to spread fear.”

Community Under Siege

The initial arrest on February 18 was sparked by “mob justice” of a different kind—surveillance by neighbors. Reports suggest that members of the community had been monitoring the women’s residence, taking photos, and complaining to police about “unusual acts” and the presence of other women at their home.

Under Section 2 of the AHA 2023, the charges they face carry the weight of potential life imprisonment. The fact that their personal lives were upended by a neighborhood “tip-off” underscores the dangerous climate of state-sanctioned homophobia that encourages citizens to act as informants.

What This Means for Our Community

At Kuchu Times, we view this re-arrest not as an isolated legal procedure, but as a systemic attempt to break the spirit of queer Ugandans. The “revolving door” arrest tactic is often used when initial evidence is thin, keeping individuals in a cycle of detention without trial to justify further investigation or to appease a hostile public.

We urge all members of the community, especially those in the West Nile region, to:

• Prioritize Safety: Review your digital and physical security protocols.
• Stay Informed: Follow verified updates from Kuchu Times and our legal partners.
• Support the Duo: As the case returns to the state prosecutor, we must keep the names of Wendy and Alesi in the public consciousness to ensure they are not forgotten in the system.