The World Bank has revealed on Tuesday that it would cease lending money to the Ugandan government after concluding that the country’s legislation against same-sex marriage goes against the bank’s values.
The anti-LGBTQ law in Uganda has been condemned by many countries and the United Nations has been the main talking point surrounding the Museveni-led administration. As a result, the World Bank has halted new lending to the government.
In response to this development, the East African country dismissed the action as ‘unjust and hypocritical.’
A team from the World Bank traveled to Uganda sometime in May after the law was enacted. They had reached a consensus stating that additional measures were needed to ensure projects were being implemented in line with the bank’s environmental and social standards.
No new public financing to Uganda will be presented to our Board of Executive Directors until the efficacy of the additional measures has been tested,” the bank highlighted in a statement, stressing that such measures were now under discussion with Ugandan authorities.
“Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act fundamentally contradicts the World Bank Group’s values. We believe our vision to eradicate poverty on a livable planet can only succeed if it includes everyone irrespective of race, gender, or sexuality,” the bank said.
“We remain committed to helping all Ugandans – without exception – escape poverty, access vital services, and improve their lives.”
Uganda’s minister of foreign affairs, Okello Often, accused the bank of hypocrisy, saying they were lending to countries in the Middle East and Asia that have the same or harsher laws on homosexuality.
“There are many Middle Eastern countries who do not tolerate homosexuals. They actually hang and execute homosexuals. In America, many states have passed laws that are either against or restrict activities of homosexuality. So why pick on Uganda?,” He said.
The World Bank had provided $5.4 Billion in International Development Association financing to Uganda by the end of 2020, including many health and education projects that could be affected by the new law.
