The World Bank is allegedly attempting to “coerce” the government of Uganda to change its anti-LGBT legislation, according to President Yoweri Museveni.
It comes after the lender’s declaration that it was suspending the approval of any new loans to the country on the grounds that the prohibition of same-sex relationships goes against its core principles.
President Museveni, however, asserted that “Uganda will develop with or without loans” in a statement shared on social media.
He expressed regret that the lender was attempting to “coerce us into abandoning our faith, culture, principles and sovereignty, using money”.
“They really under-estimate all Africans. We do not need pressure from anybody to know how to solve problems in our society. They are our problems,” he continued.
However, Mr. Museveni stated that the country was continuing its discussions with the World Bank “so that they and we avoid this diversion if possible”.
The death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality” and a 20-year prison sentence for “promoting” homosexuality are both provisions of the anti-LGBT law that President Museveni signed in May.
Human rights organizations in Uganda and around the world have denounced the law. The new law has also been denounced by the UN, the US, and other countries.
Sanctions against Uganda over its anti-homosexuality law have been imposed by the World Bank and the US.
Source-BBC
