Uganda parliament may act on ‘Kill the Gays’ bill tomorrow

Colin Stewart is a 45-year journalism veteran. He is the…

Ugandan member of parliament David Bahati (Photo courtesy of NTV)

The parliament in Uganda is preparing to debate the Anti-Homosexuality Bill as early as tomorrow (Feb. 12), according to the Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights and Constitutional Law.

In an update on its Twitter account at @Ugandans4rights, the group announced “JUST IN: #UgandaParliament wants to debate the #AntiHomosexualityBill this week could be any day from tomorrow Feb 12. Follow us for updates.” That tweet revised an earlier message that said simply that the debate would occur tomorrow.

The bill, nicknamed the “Kill the Gays” bill, was presented in 2009 and last year by member of parliament David Bahati, but has not yet reached the floor of parliament.

Ugandan law already provides for sentences of up to life imprisonment for homosexual activity. The bill would impose tougher sanctions.

In the first version of the bill, which reportedly remains unchanged despite supporters’ statements to the contrary, repeat offenders would be executed.

The bill would require people to report suspected homosexuals to police. Parents would be required to report potentially gay children to police; doctors would be required to report potentially gay patients; priests would be required to report potentially gay parishioners.

Organizations serving LGBT people, including health services fighting AIDS, would be outlawed.

If parliament approves the bill, it would go to President Yoweri Museveni for his signature. If he did not sign it, parliament could enact it on a two-third vote.