The World Bank has withdrawn all its financial aids to Uganda over the anti-gay laws enforced in the country few months ago.
Uganda has been vocal and direct in its stance on the LGBTQ movement. In May 2023, Uganda signed the anti-gay bill which was supported by a large number of the parliament into law issuing a death penalty to anyone who engages in the act.
This action taken by Uganda has left the Western leaders shocked, portraying Uganda as a country with human rights violations.
However, countries have sought to address this with President Museveni but he told them on several occasions that Ugandans will govern their country as they wish without interference from the West.
The World Bank said Uganda's anti-gay law contradicts its values as an organization. Therefore, it has decided to suspend all financial assistance to the country until necessary measures are taken.
The World Bank said, "We believe our vision to eradicate poverty on a livable planet can only succeed if it includes everyone irrespective of race, gender, or sexuality.
This law undermines those efforts. Inclusion and non-discrimination sit at the heart of our work around the world.
Immediately after the law was enacted, the World Bank deployed a team to Uganda to review our portfolio in the context of the new legislation.
That review determined additional measures are necessary to ensure projects are implemented in alignment with our environmental and social standards.
Our goal is to protect sexual and gender minorities from discrimination and exclusion in the projects we finance. These measures are currently under discussion with the authorities.
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."
Uganda has been vocal and direct in its stance on the LGBTQ movement. In May 2023, Uganda signed the anti-gay bill which was supported by a large number of the parliament into law issuing a death penalty to anyone who engages in the act.
This action taken by Uganda has left the Western leaders shocked, portraying Uganda as a country with human rights violations.
However, countries have sought to address this with President Museveni but he told them on several occasions that Ugandans will govern their country as they wish without interference from the West.
The World Bank said Uganda's anti-gay law contradicts its values as an organization. Therefore, it has decided to suspend all financial assistance to the country until necessary measures are taken.
The World Bank said, "We believe our vision to eradicate poverty on a livable planet can only succeed if it includes everyone irrespective of race, gender, or sexuality.
This law undermines those efforts. Inclusion and non-discrimination sit at the heart of our work around the world.
Immediately after the law was enacted, the World Bank deployed a team to Uganda to review our portfolio in the context of the new legislation.
That review determined additional measures are necessary to ensure projects are implemented in alignment with our environmental and social standards.
Our goal is to protect sexual and gender minorities from discrimination and exclusion in the projects we finance. These measures are currently under discussion with the authorities.
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."