Bahati faces UK travel ban over Bill

Kampala

British authorities have started a process that could leave Ndorwa West MP David Bahati banned from visiting the UK if his anti-gay legislation becomes law, The Guardian reported on Monday.

This move is the work of civil servants in the Foreign Office, the UK Border Agency and the Department for International Development, the UK newspaer said, quoting an anonymous government official who said the gay issue could become a “major diplomatic incident if the Ugandans do not back down”.

An official at the British High Commission in Kampala was reluctant to discuss the case. “I can’t actually comment on this case, but what I can say is that we haven’t considered any Ugandans for exclusion at this moment,” Mr Chris Wood said.

Mr Bahati yesterday said he would “go ahead and defend the future of our children”.
The draft legislation proposes the death penalty for those found having sex with a minor or with a disabled person, as well as for those who infect their gay partners with HIV. It also proposes life imprisonment in the case of gay sex involving consenting adults.