Alex Omenye
The World Bank has disclosed that it will no longer aid Uganda with loans over the signing of a law that proscribes same-sex sexual relationships.
The Ugandan government in May passed the anti-LGBTQ law which criminalizes being gay in Uganda.
The law prescribes life imprisonment and a death sentence as penalties for anyone convicted.
The World Bank in a statement on Tuesday condemned the law, stating that it is not in line with the bank’s values.
“Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act fundamentally contradicts the World Bank Group’s values,” the World bank said in a statement.
“We believe our vision to eradicate poverty on a livable planet can only succeed if it includes everyone irrespective of race, gender, or sexuality. This law undermines those efforts. Inclusion and non-discrimination sit at the heart of our work around the world,” the statement added.
The World Bank added that its goal is to protect sexual and gender minorities from discrimination and exclusion in the projects we finance, and the Ugandan law against LGBTQ goes against those values.
However, World Bank noted it maintains a longstanding and productive relationship with Uganda despite the new law.
