Ugandan parliamentary speaker promises to revive anti-gay law

The Speaker of Uganda’s Parliament has claimed the country’s notorious Anti-Homosexuality Bill will soon be passed by lawmakers.

Rebecca Kadaga made the statement on Monday, after returning to Uganda following an international summit in Canada.

According to Uganda’s Daily Monitor, she told reporters at Entebbe International Airport that she would stand firm against homosexuality, saying:

“They said I should stop the debate on the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, but I assured them there is no way I can block a private members bill”.

A group of anti-gay religious leaders were there to meet with her at the airport, along with the bill’s architect, MP David Bahati.

Throughout various stages, Mr Bahati had proposed for his legislation to include the death penalty for certain cases of “aggravated homosexuality”.

However, in February of this year it was reported that the death clause had been dropped from the plans, in favour of life imprisonment.

The bill was first introduced in 2009, but has yet to gain parliamentary approval.

Uganda’s government has stated that it does not support the bill, although it believes lawmakers should be allowed to debate it.

Last week in Canada, Speaker Kadaga was met with criticism by the country’s Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird after he blasted Uganda for its appalling gay rights record and widespread homophobic persecution.

In response, Speaker Kadaga accused him of being “ignorant” and “arrogant”.

• Nov 29 2023

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