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                      US Urges Uganda to Void Anti-Gay Law

   The United States is urging Uganda to repeal a law that criminalizes
   homosexuality with punishments up to life in prison.
   The White House issued a statement saying Ugandan President Yoweri
   Museveni "took Uganda a step backward" by signing the law Monday. It
   said the measure is an affront and a danger to Ugandan gays, and
   reflect poorly on the country`s human rights record.
   State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said the U.S. is reviewing its
   relationship with Uganda as a consequence of the new law.
   "Now that the law has been enacted, we are beginning an internal review
   of our relationship with the government of Uganda to ensure that all
   dimensions of our engagement, including assistance programs, uphold our
   anti-discrimination policies and principles and reflect our values."
   Among other measures, the new law imposes harsh new penalties for gay
   sex, and bans the so-called "promotion" of homosexuality.
   President Museveni defended the bill at Monday`s signing ceremony,
   saying groups are trying to recruit young Ugandans into a gay
   lifestyle.
   "No study has shown that you can be homosexual purely by nature. Since
   nurture is the main cause of homosexuality, then society can do
   something about it to discourage the trends. That is why I have agreed
   to sign the bill."
   United Nations spokesman Martin Nesirky said Secretary-General Ban
   Ki-moon is "seriously concerned" about the negative impacts of the law.
   "He shares the view of the high commissioner for human rights that this
   new law violates human rights. It will institutionalize discrimination,
   restrict the vital work of human rights activists, and could trigger
   violence. It will also hamper potentially life-saving efforts to stop
   the spread of HIV."
   Mr. Museveni has the backing of conservative Ugandan groups. Last week,
   the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council praised the president as "courageous"
   for defying Western pressure over the bill and, in the council`s words,
   putting morality first.
   The country`s parliament passed the measure in December, with a 14-year
   sentence for first-time offenders, and life in prison for those
   convicted of what the law terms "aggravated homosexuality."
   The original bill called for the death penalty in some cases, but that
   was dropped as Western nations and rights groups denounced the bill.
   Amnesty International denounced the new law as "deeply offensive," and
   said it makes a mockery of rights enshrined in the Ugandan
   constitution.
   U.S. President Barack Obama has said he is "deeply disappointed" with
   the law and that it will complicate U.S.-Ugandan relations.
   Homosexuality is illegal in 37 African nations and a taboo subject
   across many parts of the continent. Activists say few Africans are able
   to be openly gay.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/us-urges-uganda-to-void-antigay-law/1
   858515.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/us-urges-uganda-to-void-antigay-law/1858515.html