Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has responded to the World Bank’s decision to suspend new lending to his country over its anti-LBGTQ law with a defiant handwritten note, saying that Uganda can develop with or without loans.
The World Bank announced on Monday that it will stop approving new loans to Uganda until it conducts a “thorough review” of the implications of the law, which imposes the death penalty or life imprisonment for certain same-sex acts and criminalizes anyone who fails to report a known homosexual to the authorities. The bank said that the law fundamentally contradicts its values and vision to eradicate poverty on a livable planet that includes everyone.
Museveni, who signed the law on Sunday, wrote a note on a piece of paper and posted it on his official Twitter account on Tuesday. The note read: “We will develop with or without loans. We have been developing without loans for many years. We have our own money. It is the loans which are in trouble. They need borrowers badly.”
Museveni also accused the World Bank of being hypocritical and interfering in Uganda’s sovereignty. He said that the bank has no moral authority to lecture Uganda on human rights, as it has supported dictators and corrupt regimes in the past. He said that Uganda has the right to decide its own laws and culture, and that homosexuality is a “deviation from normal” and a result of foreign influence.
The note sparked mixed reactions on social media, with some praising Museveni for his courage and independence, and others criticizing him for his ignorance and arrogance. Some also questioned the authenticity of the note, as it appeared to be written in different handwriting styles.
Uganda receives billions of dollars in foreign aid each year and could now face more sanctions from other donors. The US, UK, Canada, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and the Netherlands have already announced cuts or reviews of their aid to Uganda over the law. The law has also drawn condemnation from human rights groups, Western governments, and the United Nations.
Museveni, who has been in power since 1986, is expected to seek a sixth term in next year’s presidential election. He faces growing opposition from young and urban voters who are frustrated by his authoritarian rule, corruption, and poor service delivery
In a late-night message to Ugandans posted on social media, President Yoweri Museveni assured Ugandans that their country will develop with or without loans from development partners like the World Bank.
The President was reacting to the decision by the World Bank to stop lending to Uganda because the Anti-Homosexuality Act recently enacted fundamentally contradicts the World Bank Group’s values.
In a statement dated August 8, 2023, in Washington, USA, the World Bank said “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.”
The decision by the global lender riled many Ugandans including President Museveni who described the action by the World Bank as unfortunate. In a move to extend confidence to Ugandans, the President said things are moving well in Uganda in spite of the corruption in the country.
He said he was alerted of the suspension of the aid when an official from the World Bank rang him.
He noted that ‘it is unfortunate that the World Bank and other actors dare to want to coerce us into abandoning our faith, culture, principles and sovereignty, using money.’
