UGANDA – Supporters of anti-gay legislation being introduced in Uganda look set to lose the battle to introduce the death sentence for what they describe as “aggravated homosexuality.”
The bill, first introduced in October 2009, was ostensibly shelved by Uganda’s president Yoweri Museveni following an international outcry. However, public hearings on the bill have taken place in the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee. The remaining stages of the legislative process – namely second and third readings of the bill and presidential adoption – could be completed within the remaining weeks of the current parliamentary session.
According to the Associated Press, Pastor Martin Ssempa told the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee, “The parliament should be given the opportunity to discuss and pass the bill, because homosexuality is killing our society.”
David Bahati, the Ugandan Member of Parliament (MP) who proposed the private member’s bill, told AP last month that the death penalty provision was, “… something we have moved away from.”
But the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) is deeply concerned at reports that the now infamous anti-homosexuality bill may be passed by the country’s parliament.
“We are shocked that after more than two years of engagement with the government of Uganda about the Anti-Homosexuality bill, this heinous piece of legislation may still become law,” said Cary Alan Johnson, IGLHRC executive director.
