Uganda ruling party agrees to review anti-gay bill
Uganda’s ruling party has agreed that the anti-gay bill, passed by parliament a month ago, be sent back to the house for reconsideration.
At a meeting with President Yoweri Museveni, who is the party chairman, the MPs resolved on “proposals for improvement” to the bill, according to a statement from the caucus chairperson of the National Resistance Movement (NRM).
The bill prescribes life imprisonment for people identifying LGBT and the death penalty for what is referred to as aggravated homosexuality, among other clauses.
It is not yet clear what amendments the president would like to be made to the proposed law.
When legislation is passed by parliament, the president has about a month to sign it, veto it or return it to the MPs for amendment and re-tabling.
On several occasions, President Museveni has said the topic of homosexuality needs more discussion and understanding.
The bill was passed with majority support from across the ruling party and the opposition.
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Critics have argued that the law promotes homophobia, is against the country’s constitution and that anyone suspected to be LGBT will be affected.
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