A contentious new measure against homosexuality that calls for the death penalty in some circumstances has been refused to be signed into law by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni in favour of amendments.
Museveni made his decision late on Thursday after a gathering of members from his ruling party, nearly all of whom are in favor of the bill that was approved by lawmakers last month.
The meeting resolved to return the bill to the national assembly “with proposals for its improvement”, a statement said.
A spokesman for the presidency said Museveni was not opposed to the punishments proposed in the bill, but wanted parliamentarians to look into “the issue of rehabilitation”.
“[Museveni] told the members that he had no objections to the punishments but on the issue of rehabilitation of the persons who have in the past been engaged in homosexuality but would like to live normal lives again,” spokesman Sandor Walusimbi said on Twitter.
“It was agreed that the bill goes back to parliament for the issues of rehabilitation to be looked at before he can sign it into law,” Walusimbi added.
As a result of a colonial-era rule that makes sex activities “against the order of nature” unlawful, homosexuality is already prohibited in the East African nation. Life in jail is the penalty for that crime.
International compulsion
The bill needs Museveni’s signature to become law, and the international community is pressuring him to veto it.
If the measure is passed, the United States has warned of negative economic repercussions. If passed, the law would be considered “an egregious violation of human rights” by a group of United Nations experts.
Amnesty International in a statement earlier on Thursday had urged Museveni to veto what the group described as a “draconian and overly broad” bill.
“The passing of this appalling bill is a heart-breaking moment for the LGBTI community and their loved ones in Uganda,” Agnes Callamard, the group’s leader, said in the statement. “Nobody should ever be criminalized for their sexual orientation or gender identity.”
Wide-ranging support exists for the measure in Uganda, notably from religious leaders and others who have advocated for a strict new law targeting gays. An opposition member presented it, declaring that his intention was to punish the “promotion, recruitment, and funding” of LGBTQ activities in the nation.
The bill was opposed by just two of the 389 lawmakers present at the vote session.
The Death Penalty
The measure calls for life in jail for “homosexuality” and the death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality.”
The term “aggravated homosexuality” refers to situations in which children, vulnerable individuals, HIV-positive individuals, and other groups of people are involved in sexual encounters.
For those who support or fight for LGBTQ rights, sentences of up to 20 years in prison have been proposed.
A suspect convicted of “attempted aggravated homosexuality” can be jailed for 14 years and the offence of “attempted homosexuality” is punishable by up to 10 years, according to the bill.
Anti-gay sentiment in Uganda has grown in recent weeks amid press reports alleging sodomy in boarding schools, including a prestigious one for boys where a parent accused a teacher of abusing her son.
Source: NEWS AGENCIES
