The World Bank has halted financing to Uganda following passing into law against Homosexuality.
The lender said the law contradicts its 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,” said World Bank Group in a statement.
Immediately after the law was enacted, the World Bank deployed a team to Uganda to review its portfolio in the context of the new legislation. That review determined additional measures are necessary to ensure projects are implemented in alignment with the Group’s 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,” said World Bank Group in a statement.
“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.”
World Bank said third-party monitoring and grievance redress mechanisms will significantly increase, allowing us to take corrective action as necessary.
Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act is one of the toughest pieces of anti-gay legislation in Africa.
People who identify as gay in Uganda risk life in prison after parliament passed a new bill earlier in the year to crack down on homosexual activities.
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