(CNN) -- Uganda's President has declined to sign a bill that would punish certain homosexual acts with life in prison, but the move was not designed to protect the civil rights of gays and lesbians. President Yoweri Museveni believes that parliament illegally passed the bill, and gays and lesbians are "sick people who need help," his spokesman said. A Ugandan lawmaker first introduced the bill in 2009 with a death penalty clause for some homosexual acts. It was briefly shelved when Britain and other European nations threatened to withdraw aid to Uganda, which relies on millions of dollars from the international community.
@highlight
President's spokesman: "There was no quorum, and homosexuals are sick people"
@highlight
Lawmakers downgraded punishment for "aggravated homosexuality" to life in prison
@highlight
Law also proposed prison time for those who counsel, reach out to gays and lesbians
@highlight
Parliament reconvenes next month, and the bill could pass without President's signature
@placeholder is in recess and won't reconvene until February 18, parliament spokesman Moses Bwalatum said.