Uganda's parliament has passed a bill which would criminalise people who identify as gay, or a sexual minority.
Individuals could face lengthy prison terms if the bill is signed into law by President Yoweri Museveni.
Under the proposed legislation, friends, family and members of the community would have a duty to report individuals in same-sex relationships to the authorities.
Homosexual acts are already illegal in the east African country.
But the bill seeks to go further and criminalise people on the basis of their sexual identity.
The bill, which was first tabled earlier this month, passed with widespread support in Uganda's parliament on Tuesday.
It will now go to President Museveni who can choose to use his veto - and maintain good relations with Western donors and investors - or sign it into law.
The bill also stipulates that a person who is convicted of grooming or trafficking children for purposes of engaging them in homosexual activities faces life in prison.
Individuals or institutions which support or fund LGBT rights' activities or organisations, or publish, broadcast and distribute pro-gay media material and literature, also face prosecution and imprisonment.
A small group of Ugandan MPs on a committee scrutinising the bill disagreed with its premise. They argue the offences it seeks to criminalise are already covered in the country's Penal Code Act.
Activists and LGBT people in Uganda have said that anti-homosexuality sentiment in the country is exposing them to physical and online violence, and that the bill may have far-reaching consequences for Ugandans in general.
In 2014, Uganda's constitutional court nullified a similar act which had toughened laws against the LGBT community.
It included making it illegal to promote and fund LGBT groups and activities, as well as reiterating that homosexual acts should be punished by life imprisonment.
The court ruled that the legislation be revoked because it had been passed by parliament without the required quorum. The law had been widely condemned by Western countries.
Same-sex relations are banned in about 30 African countries, where many people uphold conservative religious and social values.
Latest Stories
-
Many women have experienced intimate partner violence – Angela Dwamena Aboagye
52 seconds -
Power challenges persist due to government’s mismanagement of revenues – Okudzeto Ablakwa
41 mins -
Jordan Ayew injury not as bad as feared – Leicester City boss
50 mins -
Stonebwoy heads to North America for UP & RUNNIN6 tour
51 mins -
FDA explains extension of best-before date for ‘expired’ rice
56 mins -
Rebecca Akufo-Addo, Mahama storm Akuapem North as NPP NDC slugs it out
58 mins -
Fatawu’s injury a big blow for us – Leicester City manager
1 hour -
No MC has influenced pop culture in 2024 more than me – Portfolio
1 hour -
Kpando NCCE holds dialogue for Parliamentary Candidates
1 hour -
Bawumia solicits support of CSOs to tackle ‘entrenched interests’ in corruption fight
1 hour -
I’m looking forward to working with CSOs, research institutions; they have a lot to offer – Bawumia
2 hours -
The former illegal miner who became valedictorian: Eliasu Yahaya Bansi’s KNUST journey
2 hours -
Prof Opoku-Agyemang slams gov’t over supply of ‘expired’ rice to Senior High Schools
2 hours -
‘Expired’ rice: Lamens Investments GH¢100k fine was for regulatory violations – FDA clarifies
2 hours -
No student has been served unwholesome meals – Nana Boakye
2 hours