Uganda to Debate Antigay Bill Today

The Ugandan parliament on Friday will debate the proposed bill that could impose punishments including death on gay people on the African country.

The bill introduced by David Bahati, a Christian member of the ruling party, proposes the death sentence for a crime it calls "aggravated homosexuality," defined as such acts as having gay sex repeatedly, with a minor, or while infected with HIV. The bill also proposes punishments of a lesser degree for individuals who fail to report the existence of gay people in the country.

While the proposals have generated an international outcry, many Ugandans are supportive of the bill in the country with a strong influence of evangelical Christianity, according to the Times of London.

"Among ordinary Ugandans support for the bill is strong, something its supporters are well aware of, and keen to emphasize," reported the Times.