U.S. Slaps Sanctions on Uganda over Anti-Gay Laws

The United States on Thursday slapped sanctions on Uganda including canceling a military air exercise, visa bans and freezing some aid after Ugandan leaders brought in tough anti-gay laws.

The new legislation signed into law in February "runs counter to universal human rights and complicates our bilateral relationship," the White House said, as it announced the new steps.

Ugandan officials involved in "human rights abuses" including against the gay community will be barred entry to the United States, national security council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden said.

"We are also discontinuing or redirecting funds for certain additional programs," she said, pointing to programs with the police force and the health ministry.

The U.S. was also "canceling plans to hold a U.S. military-sponsored aviation exercise in Uganda," Hayden said in a statement.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni in February signed a bill that calls for "repeat homosexuals" to be jailed for life, outlaws the promotion of homosexuality and obligates people to denounce gays to the authorities.

The law drew international condemnation, with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry likening it to anti-Semitic legislation in Nazi Germany.

Critics have said Museveni signed the law to win domestic support ahead of a presidential election scheduled for 2016, which will be his 30th year in power.