Uganda to debate gay execution bill tomorrow

Uganda’s parliament will debate the anti-homosexuality bill tomorrow (Friday).

There was confusion yesterday over the status of the bill, which was apparently removed and then replaced on the day’s order paper.

Reports now say that it is scheduled to be discussed tomorrow. Today is a national holiday.

The bill’s author, MP David Bahati, has claimed that the most extreme clause on the bill, the death penalty for “aggravated” homosexuality, has been removed.

However, no amended version of the legislation has been published.

If passed in its current form, the bill will demand the execution of gay people who have sex while HIV-positive or with minors or disabled people. The death penalty would also be used for repeat offenders.

Other clauses would require people such as family members, teachers and doctors to report cases to homosexuality to the police within 24 hours or face a prison sentence.

More than 1.4 million people have signed petitions against the bill, which US President Barack Obama called “odious”.

Earlier this week, British foreign secretary William Hague said he was pressuring Uganda to drop the bill.

The legislation is popular with Ugandan MPs and citizens. Homosexuality is viewed as un-African and against Christian values.