Ugandan civil rights advocates held the first ever gay pride parade on Saturday. The celebration occurred after a decision from one of the country's courts overturned the 'abominable' anti-gay law.

"We are a group of people who have suffered enough," Ugandan lesbian activist Jacqueline Kasha declared.

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Kasha added that they are also Ugandans who have rights to peacefully gather in a public place and 'have fun.'

Approximately 200 participants from the LGBT community marched in Entebbe, a lakeside town roughly 25 miles from the capital Kampala.

Parade organizer Sandra Ntebi expressed how joyful the day will be for the LGBT community, especially since authorities granted permission for the invitation-only 'Uganda Pride' rally after the tension brought about by the tough anti-gay law.

Early this year, President Yoweri Museveni signed an anti-homosexuality law fortifying existing penalties for proven homosexuals. Based on this law, alleged perpetrators may face life imprisonment if proven violating the law.

On August 1, the constitutional court ruled against the law due to a technicality.

The court cited the law's passage without the required number of legislators to vote on the decision. State lawyers were quick in filing an appeal on the same day.

According to Ugandan Deputy Attorney General Fred Ruhinda, state lawyers were unhappy with the court ruling adding that the law was passed for the greater good. They insisted that the law was not meant to oppress homosexuals.

With respect to the legal standpoint, it is still unlawful to practice 'aggravated sexuality' in the country. However, Ugandans are no longer compelled to denounce gays to authorities.

On a different note, human rights lawyer Nicholas Opiyo is less than happy about the ruling. He explained that it was 'most scary.'

"The unseen, the unreported, the unwritten discrimination in the shop you go to, in the medical center you go to, on the bus you take or on the motor bike you take into town. That breaks your spirit," he stated.

Tagsuganda, LGBT, Pride Parade, anti-gay law