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The World Bank has announced the suspension of new loans to Uganda following the enactment of the anti-homosexuality law in the country.
President Yoweri Museveni signed the anti-LGBT law in May, which imposes the death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality” and a 20-year prison sentence for “promoting” homosexuality.
The World Bank said in a statement on Tuesday that the law “fundamentally contradicts the values of the World Bank Group”, noting that its vision “includes everyone regardless of race, gender or sexuality”.
“No new public funding in Uganda will be presented to our board pending a review of the effectiveness of the new measures put in place under the new legislation,” it said.
Uganda called the decision unfair and hypocritical.
“Many countries in the Middle East do not tolerate homosexuals, they hang and execute homosexuals. In the United States, many states have passed laws that are against or restrict the activities of homosexuality… so why pick on Uganda?” Reuters quotes Okello Oryem, Ugandan Minister of Foreign Affairs, as saying.
The World Bank had provided $5.4 billion ($4.2 billion) in development financing to Uganda by the end of 2022, mostly in health and education projects, Reuters reports.
