US imposes sanctions on Uganda over anti-gay law

Washington, June 20: The US Thursday slapped a number of sanctions on Uganda over an anti-homosexuality law that Washington says "runs counter to universal human rights".

The State Department is banning entry into the US by certain Ugandan officials involved in "serious human rights abuses", Xinhua quoted Caitlin Hayden, spokeswoman for White House National Security Council, as saying.

Ugandans who are "found responsible for significant public corruption" are also banned from entering the US, she added.

In addition, the US is discontinuing or redirecting funds for programmes involving Ugandan police force and health ministry, and canceling plans to hold a US military-sponsored aviation exercise in Uganda, the official added.

Defying tough opposition from the US and other countries, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni signed the Anti- Homosexuality Bill into law in February, citing that there is no scientific proof that people are homosexuals by genetics.

Under the law, those who are found guilty of homosexual acts will be jailed up to 14 years, a sentence that increases to life imprisonment in "aggravated" cases, such as those committed by an HIV positive person, or those involving minors, the disabled and serious offenders.

IANS