Museveni is not against the legislation’s penalties, according to a spokeswoman, but he does want MPs to look into “the issue of rehabilitation.”
A contentious new measure against homosexuality that calls for the death sentence in some circumstances has been rejected by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, who has asked that it be changed.
After a meeting of MPs from his governing party, practically all of whom favour the measure passed by Parliament last month, Museveni made his decision late on Thursday.
According to a statement, the group decided to send the measure back to the national assembly “with recommendations for its improvement.”
Museveni was not against the sentences suggested in the bill, according to a presidential spokeswoman, but he did want lawmakers to look at “the issue of rehabilitation”.
Spokesman Sandor Walusimbi posted on Twitter that Museveni “told the members that he had no objections to the punishments but on the issue of rehabilitation of the persons who have in the past been engaged in homosexuality but would like to live normal lives again.”
“It was agreed that the bill goes back to parliament for the issues of rehabilitation to be looked at before he can sign it into law,” Walusimbi continued.
As a result of a colonial-era rule that makes sex activities “against the order of nature” unlawful, homosexuality is already prohibited in the East African nation. Life in jail is the penalty for the crime.
international compulsion
The measure requires Museveni’s signature to become law, and the international community is pressuring him to veto it.
If the measure is passed, the United States has warned of negative economic repercussions. If passed, the law would be considered “an egregious violation of human rights” by a committee of United Nations experts.
Amnesty International called the measure “draconian and overly broad” in a statement earlier on Thursday, urging Museveni to veto it.
Wide-ranging support exists for the measure in Uganda, notably from religious leaders and others who have advocated for a strict new legislation targeting gays. An opposition member presented it, declaring that his intention was to penalise the “promotion, recruitment, and funding” of LGBTQ activities in the nation.
The bill was opposed by just two of the 389 lawmakers present at the vote session.
death sentence
The measure calls for life in jail for “homosexuality” and the death sentence for “aggravated homosexuality.”
The term “aggravated homosexuality” refers to situations in which children, vulnerable individuals, HIV-positive individuals, and other groups of people are involved in sexual encounters.
For those who support or fight for LGBTQ rights, sentences of up to 20 years in prison have been recommended.
The law stipulates that the offence of “attempted aggravated homosexuality” carries a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison and that the offence of “attempted homosexuality” carries a maximum sentence of 10 years.
In recent weeks, there has been an increase in anti-gay sentiment in Uganda as a result of press allegations claiming sodomy in boarding schools, including one renowned for boys where a mother accused a teacher of abusing her son.
SOURCE: NEWS AGENCIES
