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The anti-gay stand of Uganda costs the country dearly. The admonition of the stand has come from the World Bank in the form of its decision to consider blocking new loans to Uganda. The East African country earlier this year enacted an anti-gay bill that rights groups and others have condemned
The anti-gay stand of Uganda costs the country dearly. The admonition of the stand has come from the World Bank in the form of its decision to consider blocking new loans to Uganda. The East African country earlier this year enacted an anti-gay bill that rights groups and others have condemned.
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The World Bank deployed a team to Uganda after the law was enacted in May. The team found that more has to be done to ensure its projects align with the Bank’s environmental, social standards and ethos. As a result, the World Bank team came to a decision that no new public financing to Uganda should be presented to the Board of Executive Directors till the efficacy of the additional measures is tested.
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https://trendsnafrica.com/uganda-to-set-up-oil-pipeline-to-rwanda/
The anti-gay legislation prescribes the death penalty for some homosexual acts. It was signed into law in May. While It (legislation) has widespread support at home, Ugandan officials apprehend that development partners, such as the World Bank and others might withdraw resources over the legislation. The decision would not have gone well with Ugandan authorities, who have worked overtime to clinch the deal from the World Bank to tie down its immediate financial crunch. However, the stand of the World Bank is seemingly ambivalent. The statement issued by the Bank after expressing the concerns about the drastic legislation, says that the Bank was committed to helping all Ugandans – without exception – escape poverty, access to vital services, and improve their lives and at the same time, holding the new legislation draconian and discriminatory.
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Following the legislation, the US along with other countries held that it was uncalled for and asked the country to withdraw. While no official statement is available from the Government, the Human Rights Office also has condemned the legislation. Human rights activists have challenged the order in the higher court. Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni signed the bill into law criminalizing same-sex conduct with the death penalty. Earlier, the same -sex conduct attracted a life sentence. The activists consider this violates human rights and want the law to be repealed. They say the law discriminates against people with disabilities contrary to Uganda’s Constitution.
