The World says it is introducing measures that could override the Ugandan government’s LGBTQ law to facilitate lending without discrimination. According to the Bank’s spokesperson on Thursday, these measures would apply to ongoing and new projects.
As tensions mount between the Ugandan government and the World Bank, the global economic institution on Thursday said it is rolling out measures to ensure the recipients of lending in the east African nation were not discriminated against, overriding the government’s anti- LGBT law.
The measures as described by the Bank’s spokesperson includes an independent monitoring mechanism to ensure compliance and would apply to ongoing and new projects.
In May last year, Uganda enacted the Anti- Homosexuality Act which drew widespread condemnation from the collective West and sanctions from the United States and suspension from The World Bank.
The law in place prohibits same sex relations as it is punishable by life in prison and for aggravated cases, death penalty.
Though the World Bank says the law contradicts its values, adding that it would not propose any new public financing for Uganda to the board, Ugandan authorities have refused to be bent by the financial threat. Last year, Ugandan authorities said they can get developed with or without the pressure from these external entities.
