Kampala, Uganda - Ugandan religious leaders on Tuesday addressed a peaceful anti-gay rally in the capital Kampala denouncing what they called "increasing homosexual activity" in the country and called upon the government to draft tougher laws against gays. Carrying placards that read "government: fight homosexuality" and "lesbians, homosexuality is madness," reverends and bishops from Pentecostal, Anglican and Catholic churches joined Muslim imams to condemn homosexuality.
"We are concerned about the increasing homosexual activity in our nation and the ever-increasing number of people, especially our youths whose lives continue to be wrecked by the same," the religious leaders said in a one-page statement read to at least 300 people in a sports playground.
The spiritual leaders had planned a demonstration through the streets of Kampala but were stopped by police which said they had not sought permission.
The rally came less than a week after gay rights activists held a press conference in Kampala demanding equal treatment.
Homosexuality is outlawed in Uganda - and most other African countries - and a person found guilty by the courts can be sentenced to life imprisonment, although it is rare for a person to be charged.
"Homosexuality is illegal in Africa. I support laws against it. It is against the teaching of the Bible," said Catholic priest Father Silvester Arinaibwe.
The Ugandan government has not drafted new laws regarding sexual relations in the face of underground - but increasing - demands for gay rights, and neither parliament nor the cabinet have yet discussed the issue.
South Africa is the only African country to have legalized same- sex marriage, although social attitudes remain more conservative.
