World Bank halts new loans to Uganda over anti-homosexuality law

By Xinhua

MPALA, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) — The World Bank has announced that there will be no new financing to Uganda following the enactment of a controversial anti-homosexuality law in the East African country. The global financing institution said in a statement posted on its website on Wednesday that the country’s anti-homosexuality law contradicts the bank’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,” the statement said. The bank said when the law was enacted, it deployed a team to review its financing projects in the country in the context of the 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,” the statement said. The bank did not list the additional measures. It said there will be no new public financing to the country until the efficacy of the additional measures have been tested. The anti-homosexuality law came into force in May in Uganda, drawing condemnation from Western powers. The law imposes death and life-imprisonment sentences for certain same-sex acts, up to 20 years in jail for promotion and funding of same-sex activities. According to it, a suspect convicted of attempted aggravated homosexuality faces 14 years in prison. Enditem