The World Bank Group on Monday announced it will not consider new proposals for public funding programs for Uganda over the country’s recently adopted legislation criminalizing acts of homosexuality.
According to a statement released on 8th August 2023 which was also published on their website, the global funding support body noted that the decision followed a review of the law’s impact which established that the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023 adopted by the East African state this year contradicts their values.
In the statement World Bank says their vision cannot succeed within Uganda’s discriminatory legislative environment.
Bellow is the World Bank statement on Uganda as published:
“Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act fundamentally contradicts the World Bank Group’s values. 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.
Immediately after the law was enacted, the World Bank deployed a team to Uganda to review our portfolio in the context of the new legislation. That review determined additional measures are necessary to ensure projects are implemented in alignment with our environmental and social standards. Our goal is to protect sexual and gender minorities from discrimination and exclusion in the projects we finance. These measures are currently under discussion with the authorities.
No new public financing to Uganda will be presented to our Board of Executive Directors until the efficacy of the additional measures has been tested.
Third-party monitoring and grievance redress mechanisms will significantly increase, allowing us to take corrective action as necessary.
The World Bank Group has a longstanding and productive relationship with Uganda; and we remain committed to helping all Ugandans—without exception—escape poverty, access vital services, and improve lives of people.“