Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has criticized a decision by the World Bank to suspend new funding to his country because of their anti-gay law.
The anti-LGBTQ law has been widely condemned by the international community and other human rights groups, but Uganda has refused to give in.
The law is one of the world’s harshest and allows for death penalty for persons considered serial offenders.
It also imposes a life sentence for same-sex intercourse and a 20-year sentence for promotion of homosexuality.
The World Bank has said the law contradicted its values, adding that “it would pause new funding until it could test measures to prevent discrimination in projects it finances”.
In a sharp rebuttal, defiant President Museveni said he would not give in to pressure from foreign institutions. He said Uganda is already trying to reduce its borrowing.
“It is, therefore, unfortunate that the World Bank and other actors dare to want to coerce us into abandoning our faith, culture, principles and sovereignty, using money. They really underestimate all Africans,” he said.
President Museveni said in a statement that if Uganda needed to borrow, it could do so from other sources, and that oil production expected to start by 2025 would provide additional revenues.
He warned against coercion and hoped the World Bank would reconsider its decision
“It is, therefore, unfortunate that the World Bank and other actors dare to want to coerce us into abandoning our faith, culture, principles and sovereignty, using money. They really underestimate all Africans,” he said.
Ugandans, especially the Bazzukulu.
Greetings. Things are moving well in Uganda in spite of the corruption of some Public Servants and some elements of the political class.Last night, an official from the World Bank rang me to alert me about the statement from that Bank… pic.twitter.com/vCJMUcD7CZ
— Yoweri K Museveni (@KagutaMuseveni) August 9, 2023
The World Bank has an existing portfolio of $5.2 billion in Uganda, although these projects will not be affected.
The United States has imposed visa restrictions on some Ugandan officials in response to the law in June. President Joe Biden also ordered a review of U.S. aid to Uganda.
US threatens Uganda with possible sanctions over anti-gay law
Source: Africafeeds.com
