Uganda: ‘Kill the Gays’ bill back on table as Parliament reconvenes

The Ugandan Parliament reconvened on Tuesday following its Christmas break and announced a packed agenda, including picking up its so-called “Kill the Gays” bill.

In Order Papers setting the agenda for Parliamentary business published on both Tuesday and Wednesday, the Anti-Homosexuality Bill (AHB) 2009 was listed as point 8 under “Notice of Business to Follow”.

The Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee is expected to table the bill for the third reading, where it will be rejected or passed by the House.

The original draft of the anti-gay legislation includes a provision for the death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality”, defined as someone with HIV engaging in homosexual acts, sex with a minor or repeated offenses of homosexuality.

Contrary to some reports that it had been removed, the death penalty clause is still in the draft of the bill accessible to the public.

Ugandan parliamentary Speaker Rebecca Kadaga had promised in November to bring a vote on the proposed law before Christmas.

She said it would be a “Christmas gift” to Uganda, but it did not pass before Parliament broke up for the holiday.

Ugandans “are demanding it,” she previously declared.

In December Archbishop Desmond Tutu voiced his opposition to the bill, saying: “I am opposed to discrimination that is unfair discrimination”.

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