Museveni Blasts World Bank Aid Cut To Uganda Over Anti-homosexuality Law

Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has hit out at the World Bank saying Uganda will develop with or without its loans.

This follows the decision by the financial institution that it will no longer advance financing to the East African country over the anti-homosexuality law passed two months ago.

In a statement issued on Wednesday evening, President Museveni says the country does not not need pressure from anybody to know how to solve problems “in our society. They are our problems.”

“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 under-estimate all Africans,” the president wrote.

He adds, “We are continuing to talk with the World Bank so that both they and we avoid this diversion if possible.”

The President signed the bill into law on 26 May 2023.

Earlier, Uganda’s state minister for foreign affairs, Okello Oryem 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 East countries who do not tolerate homosexuals, they actually hang and execute homosexuals, in the United States of 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 has been put under pressure by the usual imperialists.”