Uganda’s parliament has passed an anti-gay bill that imposes harsher punishments for homosexual sex acts, including life in prison for some offenders.
David Bahati, a lawmaker behind the private member’s bill, hailed its adoption yesterday [FRI]as a victory against “evil” in Uganda, a deeply religious country where many have embraced American-style evangelical Christianity.
The bill does not include the death penalty, as it did for “aggravated homosexual acts” when first tabled in 2009.
Instead, those caught engaging in homosexual acts for a second time, as well as for gay sex where one partner is a minor or is infected with HIV, will face life in prison.
A proposal for a reduced 14-year sentence was reportedly rejected by MPs, who instead upheld the penalty of life imprisonment.
Ugandan MPs have also passed a controversial anti-pornography Bill that will ban miniskirts and other clothing deemed to be sexually explicit.
The Bill, widely opposed as a threat to women’s rights, could also see many films and TV dramas being banned. Opponents claim it would stop performers such as Beyonce and Madonna appearing on their television channels.
According to the Daily Monitor the anti-pornography Bill outlaws anything that shows sexual parts of a person such as breasts, thighs, buttocks or any erotic behaviour intended to cause sexual excitement or any indecent act or behaviour tending to corrupt morals.
The Bill claims there has been an increase in pornography in the country.
The Bill is a throwback to the reign of former dictator Idi Amin who banned miniskirts by decree in Uganda during the 1970s.
Simon Lokodo, a former Catholic priest and backer of the Bill, said earlier this year: “One can wear what one wants, but please do not be provocative.”
The Bill needs to be approved by the president before becoming law.