On Wednesday, August 9, 2023, President Yoweri Museveni accused the World Bank of using money to try to “coerce” the country into abandoning its faith, culture, principles, and sovereignty over its anti-gay legislation.
This comment follows an announcement by the US-based global lender on Tuesday, August 8, 2023, that it was suspending new loans to Uganda over what is considered among the world’s harshest laws targeting LGBTQ communities.
“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 underestimate all Africans,” the president said.
“We do not need pressure from anybody to know how to solve problems in our society. They are our problems,” he added.
The president further stated that Uganda will develop with or without loans from the global money lender.
“Last night, an official from the World Bank rang me to alert me about the statement from that bank regarding the suspension of any new requests from Uganda for loans. I want to inform everybody, starting with Ugandans, that Uganda will develop with or without loans,” he added.
He, however, stated that Uganda will continue talking with the World Bank so that the diversion is avoided if possible.
The World Bank stated that Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act fundamentally contradicts the group’s values.
However, Uganda’s Health Ministry stated in a press statement issued on August 8, 2023, that it is mandated to provide preventive, promotive, curative, and rehabilitative health services to all people in Uganda, in their variety, without prejudice.
The statement further stated that health providers and workers were not to discriminate against or stigmatise any individual who seeks health care for any reason, gender, religion, tribe, economic or social status, or sexual orientation.
