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Uganda’s President Calls Homosexuality ‘Disgusting’ After Approving New Anti-Gay Laws

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Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni called homosexuals “disgusting,” moments after signing a bill bringing into law harsh measures against homosexuality, in an interview with CNN.

“What sort of people are they?” he asked in the interview. “I never knew what they were doing. I’ve just been told recently and what they do is terrible. Disgusting.”

Homosexuality is illegal in 37 African countries — including Uganda. But the new law signed by President Museveni goes further by toughening existing penalties for anyone caught having gay sex, criminalizing positive talk of homosexuality, and imposing jail terms of up to life in prison for any acts of “aggravated homosexuality.” Lesbians are included in the new prohibitions for the first time.

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Write to Francesca Trianni at francesca.trianni@time.com