The Archbishop of York spoke out today against anti-homosexual laws being debated in Uganda.

Dr John Sentamu, who was born in the country, branded the proposals as "victimising".

A private member's bill is going through Uganda's parliament which would see gay and lesbian people sentenced to a minimum of life in prison if convicted of having sex.

People who failed to report homosexual acts taking place would risk up to three years in prison while those convicted of having sex with a minor would receive the death penalty.

Sentamu said that Uganda's current laws meant the bill's provisions were, in effect, already in place.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I'm opposed to the death sentence. I'm also not happy when you describe people in the kind of language you find in this private member's bill, which seems not only victimising but also a diminishment of the individuals concerned."

He said the Anglican church in the UK had been trying to help their counterparts in Uganda as they consider a response.

"The reason why [the Archbishop of] Canterbury and I haven't actually come out publicly and said anything is not because we don't want to say anything – because the position is very clear – but rather because we are trying to help," he said.

"We are trying to listen and sometimes people have not understood that at the moment the law in Uganda, without this bill, does exactly the same thing."

Sentamu said that while people may have "traditional" views about sexuality, the Anglican communion is committed to recognising that gay people are valued by God.

Uganda's president, Yoweri Museveni, has been urged to consider the effects on the country's human rights record if the proposals become law.

Sweden has threatened to withdraw aid if the bill, introduced by MP David Bahati, is passed.

The Africa minister, Lady Kinnock, has also raised it with her Ugandan counterpart.