Uganda: No ‘Kill the Gays’ bill until April

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

Rebecca Kadaga, speaker of Ugandan parliament

Opponents of Uganda’s so-called “Kill the Gays” bill got a break this week, as Rebecca Kadaga, speaker of the parliament, declared a recess until after Easter to allow legislators consult their constituents about the pending Marriage and Divorce Bill.

Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill, which failed to reach the floor of parliament in the sessions of 2009 and 2012, remains in the wings, awaiting action that LGBT activists hope never comes.

The legislation, nicknamed the “Kill the Gays” bill, was first proposed in 2009 by member of parliament David Bahati. In the first version of the bill, which reportedly remains unchanged despite supporters’ statements to the contrary, repeat offenders would be executed.

Ugandan law already provides for sentences of up to life imprisonment for homosexual activity.

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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.