NewsRescue
The World Bank is aiming to push Uganda to renounce its ideals and sovereignty, according to the country’s president, Yoweri Museveni.
Museveni’s remarks come after the World Bank announced on Tuesday that it will not accept further loans for Kampala in response to the country’s anti-gay law, which was passed in May.
The school stated that the legislation, which mandates the death penalty for certain same-sex actions and a 20-year prison sentence for advocating homosexuality, was incompatible with its beliefs.
The Ugandan leader termed the bank’s decision “unfortunate” in a statement on Wednesday, but maintained that his country will “develop with or without loans.”
“They seriously undervalue all Africans.” We don’t need anyone’s push to figure out how to tackle problems in our society. They belong to us.
Since the passage of the Anti-Homosexuality Act, Museveni’s government has been extensively denounced, with human rights organisations and activists increasingly calling for punishment against state officials.
Activists contend that the new law legalizes “homophobia and transphobia,” while the government claims that it is important to protect cultural values and keep “disoriented” LGBTQ individuals from recruiting others.
Following the US government’s application of visa restrictions on sponsors of the anti-gay bill in June and the threat of further action against authorities involved for human rights breaches, the World Bank is the latest body to censure the East African country.
The bank ruled earlier this week that no new public financing for Kampala will be granted until the effectiveness of extra anti-discrimination measures in projects it finances is tested.
Uganda and the bank are conducting talks to “avoid this diversion if possible,” according to President Museveni on Wednesday.
