Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, on Monday signed a bill into law criminalizing gay acts.U.S president Barack Obama as well as donors of the West have warned Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni that enacting an anti-gay law would complicate relations with the US.
He told CNN's reporter Zain Verjee in Entebbe "We have been disappointed for a long time by the conduct of the West, the way you conduct yourselves there,". "Our disappointment is now exacerbated because we are sorry to see that you live the way you live, but we keep quiet about it. Now you say 'you must also live like us' -- that's where we say no."
Under the proposed legislation, those convicted of homosexual acts could face life imprisonment.
Refusal to report gay people would also be a crime under the Law.
President Museveni refused to sign the bill last month, but on Friday indicated that he would approve it shortly, after receiving scientific advice.
Government spokesman Ofwono Opondo said a team of Ugandan scientists asked by the president for a report on homosexuality had told Mr Museveni that “there is no definitive gene responsible for homosexuality”.
He told the AFP news agency this meant “homosexuality is not a disease but merely an abnormal behaviour which may be learned through experiences in life”.
Homosexuality is illegal in 38 African countries,especially countries where sodomy laws were introduced during colonialism. Even before the bill was passed into law,homosexual acts were punishable by 14 years to life in prison.
Lawmakers in the conservative nation sought tougher legislation, saying the influence of Western lifestyles risked destroying family units.
Rights groups worldwide have condemned the bill as draconian
Lawmakers in the conservative nation sought tougher legislation, saying the influence of Western lifestyles risked destroying family units.
Rights groups worldwide have condemned the bill as draconian
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