KAMPALA (AFP) - Human Rights Watch on Friday criticised Uganda's HIV/AIDS bill, some of whose clauses call for mandatory testing of pregnant women, sex offenders and victims, and disclosure of HIV status.

The New York-based group said the bill "promotes dangerous and discredited approaches to the AIDS epidemic".

The HIV and AIDS Prevention and Control Bill also requires that a person convicted of prostitution, drug use or possession of hypodermic needle be subjected to HIV testing for purposes of criminal investigation.

Pregnant women and their partners "shall be subjected" to routine testing, but the law does not state whether consent is required.

Anyone who fails to inform his or her sexual partner of their HIV status will be fined or imprisoned and the bill criminalises intentional transmission of HIV.

HRW argued that it would be difficult, if not impossible, to determine who infected who in a court of law and that it makes ignorance of one's status an effective defence.

The group nonetheless praised clauses in the latest version of the bill that protect against discrimination and breach of confidentiality.