Half a million people signed a petition that was delivered to Ugandan
Parliament Speaker Edward Ssekandi earlier this month, opposing the pending bill
that would jail gays for life and punish some with the death penalty.
The petition campaign was spearheaded by an HIV-positive Anglican priest,
Canon Gideon Byamugisha, along with other religious leaders and HIV
activists, including former Anglican Bishop Christopher Ssenyonjo.
"In the interests of safer, healthier, more peaceful, and more prosperous
lives for all Ugandans; we as Aids Service Providers, pastors and
spiritual mentors of all Ugandans are calling for the withdrawal of this
Bill from Parliament," the petition read in part. "We are united in
opposing this Bill because if passed into law it threatens the health,
peace and well being of Ugandan citizens and goes against the Ugandan
Constitution."
The "Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2009" would imprison for life anyone
convicted of "the offense of homosexuality," punish "aggravated
homosexuality" -- including repeat offenders and anyone who is
HIV-positive and has gay sex -- with the death penalty, forbid "promotion
of homosexuality" and incarcerate gay-rights defenders, and jail
individuals in positions of authority for up to three years if they fail
to report within 24 hours the existence of all LGBT people or sympathizers
known to them.