Gov. Committee Seeks End to Ugandan Bill

A committee of the Ugandan government has recommended Saturday that the antigay bill being considered by lawmakers be withdrawn from parliament.

Committee chairman Adolf Mwesige said the legislation was redundant considering existing laws and therefore unnecessary, The New York Times reports.

The bill, introduced by parliament member David Bahati, would call for severe punishments, even execution in some cases, for having gay sex or being identified in a group of gay people. It would also mandate that anyone who knows people who have committed a homosexual act must report them to government within 24 hours or be held liable as well.

Mwesige said he expects parliament to turn down the bill in the coming weeks.