World Bank Resumes Funding to Uganda After Two-Year Halt Over Anti-Homosexuality Law
However, the World Bank now believes that Uganda has implemented sufficient mitigation measures to address potential harm to vulnerable groups affected by the AHA.
World Bank resumes funding to Uganda after suspension over Anti-Homosexuality law. Photo/Al Jazeera.
By Juliet Jerotich
The World Bank has announced it will resume funding to Uganda after a nearly two-year halt, which was put in place due to the country’s controversial Anti-Homosexuality Act (AHA).
The bank suspended financing in August 2023, shortly after Uganda’s parliament passed the law, which imposes harsh penalties for same-sex relations, including the death penalty in certain cases.
The World Bank stated that the law conflicted with its values and raised serious human rights concerns.
However, the World Bank now believes that Uganda has implemented sufficient mitigation measures to address potential harm to vulnerable groups affected by the AHA.
The institution mentioned that it has worked closely with Ugandan authorities over the past months to develop strategies to limit the law’s negative impact, especially on ongoing projects.
As a result, the World Bank’s board has approved three new projects in critical sectors, including education, social protection, and refugee support, which are seen as essential for the country’s development.
The World Bank is a major source of external funding for Uganda, particularly in infrastructure, including transport and roads.
The resumption of financial assistance comes at a time when Uganda faces significant development challenges, and the funding will help support critical infrastructure and services.
The AHA itself is a highly controversial piece of legislation. It mandates the death penalty for what it terms “aggravated homosexuality,” which includes acts such as same-sex relations involving a disabled person or where the act results in the transmission of a terminal illness.
Additionally, anyone found guilty of “promoting” homosexuality can face up to 20 years in prison. These provisions have sparked widespread international criticism and led to calls for sanctions and a reevaluation of relationships with Uganda.
While the resumption of funding may help address Uganda’s pressing needs in sectors like education and healthcare, it also raises questions about the World Bank’s stance on human rights.
The decision may be seen as a pragmatic choice aimed at mitigating economic suffering, but it could also be viewed as a compromise that risks sending the wrong message about the importance of protecting LGBT rights.
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