President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda has spoken out against the persecution of gay people, saying they should not be killed or persecuted.
Members of Parliament are considering an anti-homosexuality bill.
In his first public comments on the bill for some time, President Museveni also said that homosexuality should not be promoted.
The original version of the bill stipulated the death penalty for some homosexual acts, but this has reportedly been dropped.
Homosexual acts are illegal in Uganda.
Foreign donors had threatened to cut aid if the bill is passed.
Speaker Rebecca Kadaga recently said the bill would be passed as a "Christmas gift" to its advocates.
However, the BBC reports parliament has adjourned until January without voting on it.
