The Ugandan government has come under fire from religious and opposition leaders for wasting time on a bill that seeks to punish homosexuality instead of addressing pressing issues.

Uganda's parliament is debating a proposed law that could carry the death penalty for homosexuality, which was first mooted in 2009.

But critics say the country already has sufficient laws against homosexuality that are seldom used.

Religious leaders, members of the National Coalition Against Homosexuality and Sexual Abuses in Uganda (NCAHSAU), said the proposed law will not end homosexuality in the East African country.

NCAHSAU director Solomon Male said the bill that has drawn worldwide condemnation was populist.

"The basis of our anti-homosexuality initiatives since 2006, which culminated in the formation of our organisation was to sensitise the public about the challenge and dangers of homosexuality and sexual abuses," he said.

"It led to some politicians coming up with a hurried populist, opportunistic and hypocritical bill against homosexuality, which is now before parliament."

Male said their organisation was set up to fight for the rights of victims of homosexuality.

He claimed many youths were being lured into homosexuality while at school and in churches.

However, Male accused security agencies of covering up for prominent people who behind the activities.

He accused MP David Bahati who originated the bill of riding on the popularity of their campaign to further his political interests.

"As the national campaign against homosexuality became popular, Honourable David Bahati and his team came up with the anti-homosexuality bill 2009," Male said.

"Although it may have been well intentioned, we feel that it will not achieve what many Ugandans think it will achieve.

"It is a waste of precious time, financial and other resources that should have been applied more productively elsewhere."

He maintained that existing laws were sufficient to deal with people who force others into homosexuality.

"Our Penal Code has very good laws, sufficient to address homosexuality and abuse of children, which the proposed law is purportedly intended to address."


Male cited section 145 of the Penal Code which criminalises same sex relationships and "unnatural sex."

Forum for Democratic Change spokesperson Wafula Ogutu said the passing of the bill must not be regarded as an urgent matter.

"The anti-gay bill is not an urgent problem in the country," he said.

"Those focusing on it are being irrelevant, instead of focusing on issues that are important like an increase in corruption cases."

Britain, Norway and Ireland recently suspended development aid to Uganda citing mounting cases of corruption by government officials.

"The government should focus on constitutional reforms, lack of medicine in hospitals, embezzlement of funds," Oguta said.

"FDC does not concern much on that matter because we think it is irrelevant.
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Some of the politicians accused of trying to use the anti-homosexuality bill to score political points include Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga.

Kadaga drew the ire of Canada's Foreign Affairs minister John Baird during a recent visit to that country when she said Uganda will not listen to Western criticism of the proposed law.