Uganda's Sam Kutesa elected UN General Assembly president

The UN General Assembly unanimously elected Uganda's Foreign Minister Sam Kutesa to be its next president amid controversy over his country's anti-gay laws and allegations that he abused his office and accepted bribes from foreign companies.

The largely ceremonial but prestigious job of president rotates annually by region. Kutesa will take over from current president John Ashe, of Antigua, at the start of the 69th session of the General Assembly in September.

Critics said Kutesa did not deserve the job, pointing to Uganda's aggressive law that allows jail terms of up to life for those convicted of engaging in gay sex. Activists say he supported the law.

"I have never been found corrupt," Kutesa told reporters immediately after the election on Wednesday. "I'm not homophobic, and I believe that I'm [the right] person to lead this organisation for the next session."

Two Democratic senators from New York criticised Kutesa's appointment, and more than 9,000 people signed an online petition urging US Secretary of State John Kerry and UN member states to block him from taking up the post. It cites his implication in corruption scandals at home and his alleged role in the enactment of the anti-gay law.

A wealthy businessman and long-time member of parliament, Kutesa, 65, is widely seen by critics to have benefited from his close ties with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, an increasingly authoritarian leader who has held power for nearly three decades. Kutesa's daughter is married to Museveni's son.