The Church of Uganda will be setting up ‘gay cure’ groups after returning ‘resources’ given to them by the Church of England.

They may even be performing ‘exorcisms’ and beatings, according to experts.

It shows the Anglican community in the east African country is distancing itself from the mother church in the UK, which has called on it to be more gay-friendly.

President Yoweri Museveni praised bishops of the Anglican Church recently for their support and campaigning to pass the anti-gay legislation.

Signed into law earlier this year, it punishes homosexuality with up to life in prison.

Retired bishop Wilson Mutebi, announced the plans at an event held last week.

He said: ‘The bishops have vowed to stand with the president over the homosexuality issue.

‘We salute you for your strong stand against gay practices.’

In his speech, he revealed the Church of Uganda had been ‘fighting against the vice’ and would stand firm against the wishes of the Church of England.

Earlier this year, the Archbishop of York and Archbishop of Canterbury sent a letter to Stanley Ntagali, the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda.

In the letter, they said homosexuals were loved and valued by God and deserved the ‘best pastoral care and friendship’.

In response, Ntagali accused the leaders of the Church of England of being ‘spiritually blind’.

Mutebi has now revealed the Church of Uganda has returned ‘resources’ and will be setting up facilities for the ‘treatment and counselling of homosexuality victims’.

GSN sources have said the church has experimented with ‘gay cures’ in the past. These have ranged from exorcisms to beatings.

GSN asked the Church of Uganda to tell us more about their plans but so far they have not responded.

When contacted by Gay Star News, a Church of England had no information on what ‘resources’ were returned by the Church of Uganda.

They also chose to not make a statement regarding the setting up of ‘gay cure’ groups.

Uganda gay activist Edwin Sesange, of the Africa LGBTI Out and Proud Diamond Group, told GSN:

‘It is very unfortunate that well respected religious leaders in Uganda are diverting from the gospel of love to the gospel of hate.’

The Ugandan Church, along with others in Africa, has already broken its ties with Anglicans in North America over the blessing of same-sex unions.

The Church of England does ordain gay clergy as long as they are celibate.

But while Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has said some gay couples have monogamous relationships of ‘stunning’ quality, he still says he supports the Church of England’s opposition to active homosexuality.

Nearly every mainstream worldwide health organization views ‘gay cure’ therapy as dangerous to a person’s mental health.