United Nations' Ugandan appointee Sam Kutesa under fire
The new law on homosexuality has a lot of support in Uganda
The
expected election of Uganda's foreign minister as UN General Assembly
president in New York on Wednesday has provoked opposition in the US.
Politicians have joined thousands in signing a petition
urging UN member states to block Sam Kutesa because of his country's
treatment of gay people.Kutesa, 65, is Africa's unanimous pick for the largely ceremonial role.
But critics are opposed because in February Uganda passed a law threatening gays with life in prison.
It would be "disturbing to see the foreign minister of a country that passed an unjust, harsh and discriminatory law'' preside over the UN body, US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand told the Associated Press news agency.
It is Africa's turn to make the ceremonial appointment, reports the BBC's UN correspondent Nick Bryant, and Mr Kutesa represented the continent's unanimous choice.
Mr Kutesa, a lawyer and MP, has been Ugandan minister of foreign affairs since January 2005.
On Wednesday, he is expected to be formally elected to the UNGA presidency.
In response, more than 9,000 people have signed an online petition urging UN member states and US Secretary of State John Kerry to block Mr Kutesa's appointment.
Uganda's Foreign Minister Sam Kutesa is said to have played a role in the nation's new strict anti-gay law
Mr Kutesa, previously a junior investment minister, was also said to have been ousted from that position over charges he abused the office.
He has denied all allegations against him.
Uganda deputy foreign minister Okello Oryem told US media that opponents of Mr Kutesa's nomination ignore his "success stories" in the region.
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