UGANDA. DEATH PENALTY FOR HIV-POSITIVE CHILD SEX OFFENDERS

April 18, 2007: Uganda's parliament passed a law that any HIV-positive person who wilfully infects a minor through sexual intercourse or rape will face the death penalty.
Capital punishment has been the penalty for anyone found guilty of rape or defilement since 1996 but has never been implemented. The widespread myth sex with a young child can "cleanse" one of the HIV virus has led to an increase in child rape by HIV-positive men.
About 10,000 cases of defilement are reported to the police every year. But some human rights groups were opposed to the new legislation.
“We are of the view that the death penalty for defilers is unacceptable, and amounts to cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment," said Livinstone Sewanyana of the Foundation for Human Rights Initiative. “We propose life sentences as an alternative punishment.” (Sources: PlusNews, 19/04/2007)