World Bank suspends financing to Uganda following its enactment of the Anti-Homosexuality Act.
In a statement on Tuesday, it said that, “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. This law undermines those efforts. Inclusion and non-discrimination sit at the heart of our work around the world.”
After the law was passed, World Bank sent a team to Uganda to review projects it funds and how they will be affected with the enactment of the new law. The team noted that it was necessary to take some measures to ensure World Bank funded projects are implemented in alignment with the organisation’s 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,” it said.
“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.”
Even after the much public and global condemnation, including protests in Uganda and outside, Uganda made amendments to the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, making it tougher for the LGBTQi community.
President Yoweri Museveni signed the Bill into law in May, causing an uproar in the LGBTQi community in Uganda, with rights organisations in Uganda and globally condemning the move amidst threats of sanctions from the international community.
In 2014, President Museveni has also signed into law an Anti-Homosexuality Bill, but it was later nullified.
