A Ugandan government official is publicly opposing a bill that would impose severe punishments on gays in the country.

Investment Minister Aston Kajara said his country already has sufficient punitive measures to regulate homosexuality, making the proposed antigay bill unnecessary.

 "The government's position is that the existing provisions in our penal code against homosexuality are strong enough and that this new bill is not necessary," Kajara told  Agence France-Presse. "The penal code already sufficiently covers this issue."

Ethics Minister James Nsaba Buturo said Kajara does not represent the rest of the government on this issue. However, Kajara's words may be the first sign that there is dissent within the government on the proposed law.