This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-26297356
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Uganda: Museveni 'seeks US advice on homosexuality' | Uganda: Museveni 'seeks US advice on homosexuality' |
(about 2 hours later) | |
President Yoweri Museveni is asking the US to advise Uganda's scientists about homosexuality, as he considers whether to sign a law increasing punishments. | President Yoweri Museveni is asking the US to advise Uganda's scientists about homosexuality, as he considers whether to sign a law increasing punishments. |
Mr Museveni's spokesman said the president would not sign the law until he had received the scientific advice. | Mr Museveni's spokesman said the president would not sign the law until he had received the scientific advice. |
Last week he said he had decided to sign the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, which parliament has passed. | Last week he said he had decided to sign the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, which parliament has passed. |
The US - one of Uganda's largest aid donors - has warned that enacting the bill would complicate relations. | The US - one of Uganda's largest aid donors - has warned that enacting the bill would complicate relations. |
President Barack Obama described it as an affront, and a danger to, Uganda's gay community. | President Barack Obama described it as an affront, and a danger to, Uganda's gay community. |
BBC regional analyst Richard Hamilton says President Museveni is trying to please a conservative local constituency while avoiding alienating Western aid donors. | BBC regional analyst Richard Hamilton says President Museveni is trying to please a conservative local constituency while avoiding alienating Western aid donors. |
Homosexual acts are already illegal in Uganda. Under the proposed legislation, those convicted could face life imprisonment. | Homosexual acts are already illegal in Uganda. Under the proposed legislation, those convicted could face life imprisonment. |
The law would also make it a crime not to report gay people. | The law would also make it a crime not to report gay people. |
'Abnormal' | |
In a statement, Mr Museveni said: "I... encourage the US government to help us by working with our scientists to study whether, indeed, there are people who are born homosexual. | In a statement, Mr Museveni said: "I... encourage the US government to help us by working with our scientists to study whether, indeed, there are people who are born homosexual. |
"When that is proved, we can review this legislation." | "When that is proved, we can review this legislation." |
Presidential spokesman Tamale Mirundi told Reuters news agency the bill would be on hold for now "until more conclusive research is done, and that's what the president is saying". | Presidential spokesman Tamale Mirundi told Reuters news agency the bill would be on hold for now "until more conclusive research is done, and that's what the president is saying". |
Mr Museveni originally refused to sign the bill, saying that it was wrong to punish people who were born "abnormal". | Mr Museveni originally refused to sign the bill, saying that it was wrong to punish people who were born "abnormal". |
But then government officials said Ugandan scientists had advised him that homosexuality was a behavioural choice. | |
The scientists' report said there was no definitive gene for homosexuality but it was not an "abnormality" and it could be influenced by environmental factors. | |
"The practise needs regulation like any other human behaviour, especially to protect the vulnerable," it said. | |
The private member's bill originally proposed the death penalty for some offences, such as if a minor was involved or the perpetrator was HIV-positive, but that clause has been dropped. | The private member's bill originally proposed the death penalty for some offences, such as if a minor was involved or the perpetrator was HIV-positive, but that clause has been dropped. |
Uganda already has legislation banning gay sex between men, but the proposed law sharply tightens restrictions - and covers lesbians for the first time. | Uganda already has legislation banning gay sex between men, but the proposed law sharply tightens restrictions - and covers lesbians for the first time. |
Promotion of homosexuality - even talking about it without condemning it - would also be punishable by a prison sentence. | Promotion of homosexuality - even talking about it without condemning it - would also be punishable by a prison sentence. |