As BBC World Service Trust staff wrap up their project 'Strengthening democracy through media in rural Uganda', international trainer Rachael Borlase explains the difficulties in tackling one of the country's most contentious human rights issues. (Pictured: An anti-homosexual protest in Uganda.)
"I've been avoiding discussing the Bahati Bill because it has created a lot of controversy. Everybody is talking about it," says Ugandan journalist Moses Walugembe.
Those are not the words you expect to hear from a senior producer of Radio Buddu's popular talk show Kinanjokyankimize. Walumgembe usually likes to tackle difficult issues ranging from food shortages in some of his district's poorest areas, to border security.
But talking about the Bahati Bill is another matter. Nicknamed after the Member of Parliament who drafted it, David Bahati, Walugembe is referring to Uganda's controversial Anti-Homosexuality bill.
The proposed legislation, which is currently being reviewed by a committee, says individuals found guilty of having gay sex will be sentenced to life in prison. And anyone who has gay sex with a minor could face the death penalty. Even people who aren't gay could be penalised up to seven years in prison if they don't report homosexual acts to the police.
Since the bill was drafted last year, the national media in Uganda has capitalised on its controversy, running front page stories and high-profile debates on radio and television networks.
But coverage outside the capital Kampala has been minimal.
Source: BBC World Service
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