Ugandan lawmakers pass new version of tough anti-gay bill

By RODNEY MUHUMUZA
Associated Press

KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — Ugandan lawmakers have passed a new version of an anti-gay bill that removes a clause which appeared to criminalize identifying as LGBTQ. Last month, President Yoweri Museveni returned the bill to the national assembly, asking for changes that differentiate between identifying as LGBTQ and actually engaging in homosexual acts. Homosexuality is already illegal in the East African country, punishable by life imprisonment. The new law mandates the death penalty for so-called “aggravated homosexuality”, defined as sexual relations involving people infected with HIV, as well as minors and other categories of vulnerable people. Museveni is under international pressure to veto the legislation.