Lower priority for ‘Kill the Gays’ bill in Uganda

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

[Revised on Feb. 21 to add that day’s status.]

The “Kill the Gays” bill today (Feb. 20) fell back to No. 5 on the list of Business to Follow after action on the day’s parliamentary agenda is completed. [On the next day, Thursday, Feb. 21, it was listed at No. 4.]

The Anti-Homosexuality Bill had been generally rising toward the top of the list since Uganda’s parliament convened for its 2013 session.

Whether the change in status has any underlying meaning is unclear.

The Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights and Constitutional Law, an alliance of groups opposing the bill, had said earlier this week, “The bill is likely to be tabled anytime this week or early next week.”

Here is the bill’s upward progress in the Notice of Business to Follow so far this year:

No. 8 on Tuesday, Feb. 5.
No. 8 on Wednesday, Feb. 6.
No. 6 on Thursday, Feb. 7.
No. 7 on Tuesday, Feb. 12.
No. 4 on Wednesday, Feb. 13.
No. 3 on Thursday, Feb. 14.
No. 1 on Tuesday, Feb. 19.
No. 5 on Wednesday, Feb. 20.
[No. 4 on Thursday, Feb. 21]

The bill in its original form called for execution of repeat offenders. It would also 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.