Foreign

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has assented to the controversial anti-homosexuality bill, despite condemnation of Western countries and human rights activists.

The bill was first passed by MPs in March but was returned to the parliament for amendment.

In the new law, the offence of homosexuality is now limited to gay sexual acts. People convicted under this clause face life imprisonment.

The legislation also prescribes death penalty for aggravated offences, in cases of sexual abuse against a minor, a disabled person or where a victim of abuse is infected with a life-long illness.

Members of the public will also be required to report to the authorities any form of homosexual abuse against children or other vulnerable people.

The law initially criminalised identifying as a sexual minority but Mr Museveni argued that this would have led to the arrest and prosecution of people for just their physical appearance.

This clause was removed when the the president returned the bill to the parliament.

It is likely that the law will be challenged in court.

A similar one was struck down by the Ugandan constitutional court in 2014.

BBC/Simeon Uggbodovon

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Foreign

Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni is due to meet MPs from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) on Thursday to discuss the controversial anti-homosexuality bill passed by parliament last month.

The meeting will take place at State House in Entebbe, according to a statement by the NRM parliamentary caucus chairperson, Denis Obua.

All MPs are required to take a Covid-19 test before the meeting, the state-run New Vision website reported.

The bill, which local media say Mr Museveni is likely to sign into law, will see anyone engaging in acts of homosexuality facing 20 years in jail and the death penalty for convicts of aggravated homosexuality.

The proposed legislation has attracted global condemnation, with the US threatening sanctions on Uganda if the bill is enacted into law.

BBC/Simeon Ugbodovon

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