Uganda Opposition Leader Would Decriminalize Homosexuality

Kizza Besigye, the top opposition leader in Uganda who is challenging President Yoweri Museveni, suggested he would decriminalize homosexuality if elected.

According to IC Publications, Besigye said Monday that police in Uganda have more pressing concerns than investigating homosexuality, though he stressed the he was speaking for himself and not the four-party opposition group he leads. His remarks were filmed for a town hall dialogue that will air on Ugandan television as the county prepares for a vote on February 18.

"This is something that is done in the privacy of people's rooms, between consenting adults," he said.

This month, the Uganda high court ruled that media cannot out gay activists, citing their right to privacy. Rolling Stone newspaper, which lost the case, has vowed to appeal the ruling.

However, parliament member David Bahati has vowed to move forward with his reprehensible bill that would expand the list of crimes punishable by death related to homosexuality. President Museveni has urged Bahati to be cautious with the bill given the international outrage it generated, reports IC Publications.