By Mary Asujo
A section of Ugandan MPs have asked the World Bank to restudy the Anti-gay law instead of making decisions based on ignorance of the recently passed Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023.
The (World Bank) Washington, D.C-based institution stated on August 8 that it will temporarily halt project financing for Uganda while it reviews the measures it had implemented to safeguard the rights of sexual and gender minorities within its projects.
Speaking to journalists at parliament, Bugiri Municipality MP, Hon. Asuman Basalirwa the mover of the bill (now Act) said that the decision taken by the World Bank to suspend loans to Uganda was based on ignorance and lack of knowledge about the law.
During a press conference today, Basalirwa accused the World Bank of suspending funding to Uganda without fully understanding the provisions in the Anti-Homosexuality Act and some of the issues that the World Bank alleges including; that the Act promotes discrimination, denies health rights to some people especially the LGBTs and therefore is non inclusive are untrue.
Contrary to public sentiments, Basalirwa said no Ugandan will be arrested for not reporting acts of homosexuality, unless those acts are committed against vulnerable groups like children. Basalirwa tasked the World Bank and its legal team to restudy the Act especially especially Section 14, and the constitution of Uganda to become more enlightened on the accusation of discrimination as it portrayed.
Bufumbira East MP James Nsaba Buturo said the World Bank is using Uganda as a yardstick to scare other African nations who are also condemning the LGBTQ acts.
Buturo added that Uganda has enough resources to take care of it’s people as long as government can reduce on wastage expenditure, corruption and prioritize resources.
Tororo Woman MP Sarah Opendi has reminded the World Bank to stick to mandate of supporting economic and social developments and eradicating poverty and desist from meddling in the social values of other states.
Buwamba County MP, Hon. Richard Gafabusa described the move by the global lenders as intimidation and blackmail. He added that the services they inject in money have equally benefited the minority they claim are discriminated against.
It should be remembered that President Museveni recently said that government is negotiating with the global bank but also stated that government will not hesitate to look out for other possible options for its people to survive.
Basalirwa explained that the in short term Uganda may suffer the effects of the WB decision but in the long term the situation will normalize, since government is holding some negotiations with other foreign states.
