Uganda Takes Steps to Address World Bank Concerns Over Anti-Homosexuality Act
The Ugandan government is addressing concerns raised by the World Bank over the Anti-Homosexuality Act, aiming to ensure inclusive implementation of funded projects. In August 2023, the World Bank halted new loans due to the law, citing a contradiction with their values. The government is optimistic about finalizing measures to address these concerns and hopes for the World Bank’s reconsideration.
The permanent secretary in the finance ministry, Ramathan Ggoobi, has said the Government is on the verge of addressing issues that compelled the World Bank to halt new loans to Uganda in August 2023.
“We are progressing well in addressing the measures which will assure the World Bank that its funded projects are going to be implemented without discrimination and also with the inclusiveness of everybody,” Ggoobi, who is also the secretary to the treasury, said in an interview on Wednesday, January 2024.
“So, those are the measures we have been working on and we are now at the tail end of doing exactly that. I am very optimistic that soon we shall be able to finalise the process and the bank will now reconsider and be able to approve our new projects,” he added.
In August 2023, the World Bank announced that it was halting new loans to Uganda because of the Anti-Homosexuality Act, 2023, which it said fundamentally contradicts its values.
The law imposes the death penalty for aggravated cases, which include having gay sex with someone below the age of 18 or where someone is infected with a life-long illness, including HIV.
The bank stated that its vision “includes everyone irrespective of race, gender, or sexuality”.
As a result, it said no new public financing to Uganda would be presented to its board of executive directors pending a review of the efficacy of new measures put up in the context of the new law.
It, however, said it was committed to helping all Ugandans without exception to escape poverty, access vital services, and improve their lives.
The Ugandan government resisted pressure to drop the new legislation which President Yoweri Museveni signed into law in May 2023. However, the law has since been challenged in the Constitutional Court.
