Uganda's parliament has passed a bill which would criminalise people who identify as gay, or a sexual minority. Individuals could face lengthy prison terms if the bill is signed into law by President Yoweri Museveni.
People who identify as gay in Uganda risk life in prison after parliament passed a new bill to crack down on homosexual activities.A rights activist told the BBC the debate around the bill had led to fear of more attacks on gay people.
"This deeply repressive legislation will institutionalise discrimination, hatred, and prejudice against LGBTI people - including those who are perceived to be LGBTI - and block the legitimate work of civil society, public health professionals, and community leaders," said Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International's director for East and Southern Africa.
The bill will now go to President Yoweri Museveni who can choose to use his veto - and maintain good relations with Western donors and investors - or sign it into law. The bill's backers say they are trying to protect children but Ms Byarugaba said: "Whether you're heterosexual or homosexual, the government and parliament should introduce laws, or at least implement existing laws that protect all children - boys, girls from defilement. So the issue of recruitment has been unproven, it is baseless, it is biased.
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