Uganda to bring back 'Kill the Gays' bill which would give homosexuals the death penalty

The pride flag
The pride flag Photo credit: File

Uganda plans to bring back a bill known as "Kill the Gays" to curb a rise in "unnatural" sex.

The Bill would impose the death penalty on homosexuals. 

It was nullified on a technicality in 2014 but the government said on Thursday it will be back within weeks, reports Reuters.

"Homosexuality is not normal to Ugandans," Ethics and Integrity Minister Simon Lokodo told Reuters.

"There has been a massive recruitment by gay people in schools and especially among the youth where they are promoting the falsehood that people are born like that."

He says the current law is "limited" and the changes will ensure anyone involved in the promotion of homosexuality will be criminalised.

"Those who do grave acts will be given the death sentence."

Lokodo says many MPs are supportive of the bill.

"We have been talking to MPs and we have mobilised them in big numbers."

Even without the law, Uganda is one of the most difficult countries in Africa in which to be LGBTQ.

Gay sex is punishable with up to life imprisonment.

"Bringing back anti-gay legislation would invariably lead to a spike in discrimination and atrocities," said Zahra Mohamed of Toronto-based charity Stephen Lewis Foundation.

Newshub.