Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni: 'Don't Kill Gay People, But Don't Promote Homosexuality As A Good Thing Either'

The president of Uganda has said gay people should NOT be killed or persecuted, as parliament considers an Anti-Homosexuality Bill, but warned homosexuality "should not be promoted as a good thing", either.

According to the BBC, President Yoweri Museveni made his comments at the swearing in of a new head of the Anglican Church of Uganda.

He said: "If there are some homosexuals, we shall not kill or persecute them but there should be no promotion of homosexuality.

President Yoweri Museveni has warned against the promotion of homosexuality as 'a good thing'

"We cannot accept promotion of homosexuality as if it is a good thing."

There was international outcry after Ugandan lawmaker David Bahati initially proposed legislation in 2009 which pushed for the death penalty.

US President Barack Obama called it "odious", while some European countries threatened to cut aid to Uganda if it became law.

Last month Bahati performed something of a U-turn and claimed the bill would now focus on protecting children from gay pornography, banning gay marriage, counseling gays and punishing those who promote gay culture.

He told The Associated Press: "There is no death penalty."

Uganda is a conservative society that strives to keep sex and demonstrations of affection private, a fact Museveni personally underlined himself.

Ugandan tabloid Red Pepper reported him as saying: "I have been married to Janet for the last 39 years but I have never kissed her in public or even in the house before the children. If I do it to her in public I will lose elections which I am not prepared for."

Referring to bygone times, Museveni told New Vision: "I knew of two kings and one chief who practiced homosexuality. They were not persecuted, discriminated or killed. The chief actually did very good work but homosexuality was not promoted.

"People would whisper and ignore, the issue is now promotion as if it's good. That we can't accept."

The Anti-Homosexuality Bill is currently being debated and is expected to be passed before the end of the year.

According to Uganda's speaker of parliament Rebecca Kadaga, Ugandans are "demanding" the law and its passage will serve as a "Christmas gift" to its advocates.