Uganda Debates 'Kill the Gays' Bill, Expresses Unhappiness at Christian Leaders Speaking Out Against It

Uganda's parliament is debating the "kill the gays" bill today.

Jim Burroway reports on two proposed amendments to the bill:

At a special sitting of the Uganda Joint Christian Council taskforce sat and reviewed the bill to make comments. We resolved to support the bill with some amendments which included the following:

a. We suggested a less harsher sentence of 20 years instead of the death penalty for pedophilia or aggravated homosexuality.

b. We suggested the inclusion of counseling and rehabilitation being offered to offenders and victims. The churches are willing to provide the necessary help for those who are willing to undergo counseling and rehabilitation.

We'll see what comes out of it.

Ugandan officials are apparently unhappy that global Christian leaders are speaking out against the bill.

USA Today: "Sarah Pulliam Bailey at Christianity Today looks at Uganda-U.S. tensions with some jaw-dropper quotes from Ugandans who say that these leaders have no moral credibility if they themselves don't hate homosexuality. Rt. Rev. Dr. David Zac Niringiye, assistant bishop of Kampala in the Church of Uganda, says that American Christians should not make such public pronouncements on the bill: 'The international community is behaving like they can't trust Ugandans to come up with a law that is fair. No! No! That is not fair! When the Western governments or Western churches or Christians speak loudly about the legitimacy or illegitimacy of this bill, you actually begin to fuel the idea that homosexuality is the product of Western culture.'"

And finally, the European Parliament has denounced the bill.

And the U.S. says it is urging Ugandan leadership to block it:

"Johnnie Carson, the assistant secretary of state for African affairs, told reporters that he has urged President Yoweri Museveni twice since October 'to do everything he can to stop this particular legislation.' Carson, who earlier briefed groups representing gays, lesbians and transgender individuals about the situation, noted that the Ugandan president has the power to veto any legislation. The top US diplomat for African affairs said the bill, if passed, would not only violate human rights, it would also 'undermine the fight' against HIV and AIDS by stigmatizing homosexual acts. He added that it is premature for US government to consider withdrawing aid from Uganda because Museveni himself said he does not support the legislation and the battle is not yet lost."