UGANDAN PRESIDENT SOFTENING ON ANTI-GAY BILL

It appears as if Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni is pushing for a more moderate stance on the proposed anti-gay legislation before the country’s parliament.

Museveni reportedly told members of the ruling party this week that the issue had become a serious foreign policy matter and called for more discussion on the bill.

He is said to have acknowledged that he was approached by Canada and Britain on the subject at the recent Commonwealth conference.

The country’s government has come under increasing pressure from foreign governments and international donors over the bill, which would impose the death penalty on those found guilty of repeated homosexual incidents.

Activists have insisted that the whole bill must be scrapped and not just the death penalty aspect of the legislation as it would still continue to criminalise homosexuality with severe penalties, including imprisonment.

The bill was introduced into parliament as a Private Member’s Bill by MP David Bahati, a member of Museveni’s party.

Museveni has previously denounced homosexuality and recently claimed that European homosexuals are “recruiting” young people in Africa.