UGANDAN gay activists held their first pride rally on Saturday since the overturning of a tough anti-homosexuality law.

“It is a happy day for all of us,” said organiser Sandra Ntebi, noting that police had granted permission for the invitation-only rally.

More than 100 gay activists gathered on the shores of Lake Victoria, half a mile from the presidential palace at Entebbe.

Some wore masks to avoid identification but activist Pepe Onziema said they would not rest until the law was gone for good.

“Uganda is giving a bad example, not only to the region but to the world,” he said.

The law had been condemned as “abominable” by rights groups after it called for gay people to be jailed for life.

The constitutional court threw the law out on a technicality on August 1.

However, the government swiftly filed an appeal and MPs have signed a petition for a new vote on the Bill.