News outlets report on the controversy surrounding Uganda’s anti-gay law. Although the country faces threats of foreign aid cuts, other African countries, including Gambia, announce their support of similar stances.

U.N. News Centre: Uganda’s anti-homosexuality bill has ‘serious human rights implications’ — UNAIDS
“The United Nations agency leading the global HIV/AIDS response warned today that the signing of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill in Uganda would have ‘serious human rights implications’ and urged protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people around the world. The bill, passed by the Ugandan Parliament on 20 December, calls for a 14-year jail term for a first conviction and imprisonment for life for the offense of ‘aggravated homosexuality’…” (2/18).

Agence France-Presse: Uganda vows to defend ‘morals’ with anti-gay law
“Uganda’s government on Tuesday defended its decision to push through tough anti-homosexuality laws, saying it was determined to protect the country’s ‘morals’ even if that meant losing international aid…” (Matsiko, 2/18).

Science Speaks: ‘Scientists’ presentation leading to Uganda anti-gay law decision leaves questions
“Uganda President Yoweri Museveni’s announcement this weekend that he would sign the country’s new anti-homosexuality law may have seemed all the more puzzling in light of his assertion in late December that his decision on the legislation would be guided by science.” Though Museveni did not reject the bill, “it seemed all the more inevitable after scores of scientists from around the world, including Uganda, stepped up to the plate and in an open letter to the Ugandan President answered his questions on homosexuality and elucidated the tragic public health consequences of institutionalized discrimination…” (Barton, 2/18).

Reuters: Gambia’s Jammeh calls gays ‘vermin’, says to fight like mosquitoes
“Gambia’s President Yahya Jammeh on Tuesday called homosexuals ‘vermin’ and said his government would tackle them in the same way it fights malaria-causing mosquitoes…” (Saine, 2/18).