Archbishop of Canterbury to urge Ugandan president to repeal anti-gay law

The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby, will write to the president of Uganda following protests at a Bill which will make homosexual acts punishable by death.

All but two of the 389 Ugandan MPs voted in favour of the new law which introduces death or life imprisonment for gay sex and “recruitment, promotion and funding” of same-sex activities.

A spokesman for Lambeth Palace confirmed that the Archbishop will be writing to president Yoweri Museveni in a private capacity following the vote.

The correspondence comes after his counterpart, the Archbishop of Wales, the Most Rev Andrew John, described the Bill as "profoundly disturbing and utterly un-Christlike".

He also said that he would be writing to the head of the Church of Uganda, the Most Rev Stephen Kaziimba, who is in favour of the Bill, to express his concern.

The Anglican church in Uganda has been consistently against same sex marriage and is aligned to GAFCON, the global alternative and conservative Anglican group.

Earlier this month, the Archbishop of Canterbury visited South Sudan on an historic trip along with Pope Francis and the Moderator of the Church of Scotland last month. During the visit, the three Christian leaders denounced the criminalisation of homosexuality.

Speaking to reporters after visiting South Sudan, the Pope said such laws were a sin and "an injustice", adding that people with "homosexual tendencies" are children of God and should be welcomed by their churches.

His comments were backed by the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Moderator of the Church of Scotland.

It came as a prominent leader of Uganda's LGBTQ community said on Thursday he was worried about becoming "homeless,” describing anguished calls by others like him who are concerned for their safety after the passing of the law.

“I am worried about being evicted,” said Frank Mugisha, head of the banned LGBTQ support group Sexual Minorities Uganda. “I am worried about being evicted from the place where I live, because I don't own property. I could become homeless."

The legislation “would make it impossible for me to live in this country and work here,” he said.

It remains unclear when Mr Museveni will notify the legislature about his intentions regarding the bill. He sometimes takes his time before signing bills into law. He has condemned homosexuality over the years and recently accused unnamed Western nations of “trying to impose their practices on other people".

Punishing LGBTQ communities

The Bill was introduced last month by an opposition lawmaker who said his goal was to punish the “promotion, recruitment and funding” of LGBTQ activities in this east African country where homosexuals are widely disparaged.

Washington has “grave concerns” about the bill, Karine Jean-Pierre, White House press secretary, said Wednesday, adding that it would hamper tourism and economic investment in Uganda.

John Kirby, the US National Security Council spokesman, said if the law were enacted Washington would “have to take a look” at imposing economic sanctions on Uganda. He noted that this would be “really unfortunate” since most US aid is in the form of health assistance, especially Aids-related assistance.

The UN Aids agency also warns that the legislation “threatens public health” because it would hurt efforts to fight HIV.

Anti-gay sentiment in Uganda has grown in recent weeks amid press reports alleging sodomy in boarding schools, including a prestigious one for boys where a parent accused a teacher of abusing her son. The recent decision of the Church of England to bless civil marriages of same-sex couples also has inflamed many, including some who see homosexuality as imported from abroad.

Cases of alleged sexual abuse of minors have put more pressure on the LGBTQ community, said Mr Mugisha, the openly gay leader whose organisation was shut down by authorities last year.

“Ugandans have been radicalised,” he said. “Even those who were sympathetic are no longer sympathetic because they worry about children.”