The leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, has expressed his reservations about the Anti-Homosexuality Law that was passed by Parliament and assented to by President Museveni a few months ago.
During a meeting where the world leader met with Uganda’s Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, Pope Francis said the Catholic Church supports the Anti-Homosexuality Law but would want Uganda to review the death sentence clause.
This was revealed by Nabbanja while talking to New Vision, a daily newspaper in Uganda.
“The Pope said they support the Anti-Homosexuality Law that was passed in Uganda but asked Uganda to review the death sentence clause,” she told the newspaper.
Clause 3 of the Anti-Homosexuality Law states that a person who commits the offence of aggravated homosexuality is liable, on conviction, to a death sentence. The clause further states that the crime can be committed if the victim is a child and the perpetrator is a parent, relative, or guardian, when the victim contracts a terminal illness, et cetera.
According to the newspaper, the meeting between Nabbanja and the Pope lasted for about 25 minutes, and the two discussed various issues, including the improvement of Namugongo Martyrs Shrine, which has become a worldwide worshipping centre.
Nabbanja told the newspaper that the Pope also lauded the Ugandan Government for hosting 1.5 million refugees, and that she also asked him to support Uganda to continue supporting them.
“The Pope was touched by the Government of Uganda’s generosity extended to refugees from war-torn regions and as far as Central Asia,” she said.
