Ugandan MPs to Debate Deadly "Kill the Gays" Bill

Ugandan lawmakers plan to debate the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, which would impose the death penalty on gay people in some instances, when they resume session next week.

UGPulse reports on the Thursday announcement from legal and parliamentary affairs committee chairman Stephen Tashobya.

"Tashobya says the committee will hold public hearings where stakeholders' views will be heard and a report made to the House for debate and possible passing before Parliament closes the 8th Parliament."

Government-owned newspaper New Vision last week reported that speaker of parliament Eward Kiwanuka Sekandi has already summoned MPs to report March 22 to take up "unfinished business" including the Anti-Homosexuality Bill. The parliament's term expires in two months.

David Bahati, the prime sponsor of the bill with links to American evangelical leaders, hailed the development and vowed to continue to lobby for the bill.

Meanwhile, Ugandan gay activists this week cheered the resignation of ethics and integrity minister James Nsaba Buturo, a vocal antigay leader who has blamed the West for promoting homosexuality in Africa. Afrik News reports that he lost his seat in the February general election and attributed the defeat to gay campaigners. He was to have stayed in office until May 15, when the new government is seated.