Ugandan lawmakers pass new version of tough anti-gay bill

By RODNEY MUHUMUZA
Associated Press

KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — Ugandan lawmakers have passed a new version of an anti-gay bill to remove a clause which appeared to criminalize identifying as LGBTQ. Last month, President Yoweri Museveni returned the bill to the national assembly, asking for changes that would differentiate between identifying as LGBTQ and actually engaging in homosexual acts. Homosexuality is already illegal in the East African country, punishable by life imprisonment. The new law prescribes the death penalty for so-called “aggravated homosexuality.” The legislation defines that as cases of sexual relations involving a minor and other categories of vulnerable people, or when the perpetrator is infected with HIV. The president is under international pressure to veto the legislation.