Uganda frees British producer David Cecil over gay play Published duration 17 September 2012

image caption David Cecil faces a two-year jail sentence if convicted

British theatre producer David Cecil has been released on bail in Uganda, where he was charged over a play about the condition of gay people.

He was arrested last Thursday, accused of "disobeying lawful orders", because the play The River and the Mountain was performed without authorisation.

Mr Cecil faces two years in jail if convicted.

The Ugandan parliament is considering legislation aimed at increasing penalties for homosexual acts.

The play, which tells the story of a gay businessman killed by his own employees, was performed at two theatres in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, last month.

Uganda's Daily Monitor newspaper reports that the Media Council had warned the play's backers not to perform it until it had been approved.

Mr Cecil was freed on bail of 500,000 shillings ($200; £124). He was ordered to surrender his passport and must report back to court on 18 October.

His lawyer John Francis Onyango told the AFP news agency that his client was in good health.

Homosexual acts are illegal in Uganda and gay people have faced physical attacks and social rejection.

An anti-gay bill imposing life sentences on those convicted of homosexual acts was re-tabled in parliament earlier this year.