The President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni has lashed out at the World Bank accusing them of seeking ‘to coerce’ the government over its anti-LGBT legislation.
Following the lender’s announcement that it was suspending new loans to the country due to the law against same-sex relations contradicting its values.
But in a statement posted on social media, President Museveni said that ‘Uganda will develop with or without loans’.
He said it was unfortunate that the lender was seeking to ‘coerce us into abandoning our faith, culture, principles and sovereignty, using money’.
‘They really underestimate all Africans. We do not need pressure from anybody to know how to solve problems in our society. They are our problems,’ he added.
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Mr Museveni however said that the country was continuing discussions with the World Bank “so that they and we avoid this diversion if possible”.
Recall that President Museveni signed the anti-LGBT law in May, which imposes the death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality” and a 20-year jail term for ‘promoting’ homosexuality.
The legislation has been condemned by Ugandan and global human rights groups. The UN, the US and other countries have also condemned the new law.
Africa Today News, New York recalls that the World Bank joins the US in imposing sanctions against Uganda over the Anti-Homosexuality law.
Recall that new travel restrictions were slammed by the US on Ugandan officials in the wake of an anti-LGBTQ law which was signed into law by President Yoweri Museveni in May.
The law has been condemned as one of the harshest in the world. Among other provisions, it instated the death penalty for someone convicted of ‘aggravated homosexuality’, an offence that includes transmitting HIV through gay sex.