JOHANNESBURG, South Africa - South Africa's retired Archbishop Desmond Tutu urges Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni not to sign into law the harsh Anti-Homosexuality Bill that would give up to a life sentence in jail for some same-sex relations.

Tutu, a Nobel peace prize winner, said in a statement Sunday that Museveni a month ago had pledged not to allow the anti-gay legislation to become law in Uganda. But last week Museveni said he had reconsidered and would consult scientists on whether homosexuality is determined by genetics or by a person's choice.

Tutu said he is "disheartened" by Museveni's change because there is "no scientific basis or genetic rationale for love ... There is no scientific justification for prejudice and discrimination, ever."

Tutu urged Museveni to strengthen Uganda's "culture of human rights and justice."