"It's a question of visibility," said David Cato, who became an activist after he was beaten up four times, arrested twice, fired from his teaching job and outed in the press because he is gay.

"When we come out and ask for our rights, they pass laws against us."

The legislation has drawn global attention from activists across the spectrum of views on gay issues.

The Ugandan legislation in its current form would mandate a death sentence for active homosexuals living with HIV or in cases of same-sex rape. "Serial offenders" also could face capital punishment. Anyone convicted of a homosexual act faces life imprisonment.

Uganda is not the only country considering anti-gay laws.

Nigeria, where homosexuality is punishable by imprisonment or death, is considering strengthening penalties for activities deemed to promote it. Burundi just banned same-sex relationships and Rwanda is considering it.

Homophobia is rife even in more tolerant African countries.

In Kenya, homosexuality is illegal but the government has acknowledged its existence by launching sexual orientation survey to improve health care.

In South Africa, the only African nation to recognise gay marriage, gangs carry out so-called "corrective" rapes on lesbians.

A 19-year-old lesbian athlete was gang-raped, tortured and murdered in 2008.