Uganda passes tough new anti-gay law

Uganda has passed a long-shelved law that punishes “aggravated homosexuality” with life imprisonment.

The anti-homosexuality bill, approved by MPs today, does not have the death penalty, which was in the draft legislation when it was first introduced in Uganda’s parliament in 2010.

The original bill was condemned by world leaders who said it was draconian and United States president Barack Obama described it as “odious”.

Homosexuality was already illegal in Uganda, but the MP who drew up the bill argued that a tough new law was needed because homosexuals from the West threatened to destroy Ugandan families and were allegedly “recruiting” Ugandan children into gay lifestyles.