World Bank halts financing of Ugandan projects over Anti-gay bill

This was revealed in a statement issued by the Bank, noting that Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act contradicts the Bank’s values.

"Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act fundamentally contradicts the World Bank’s Group values," the statement read.

Uganda’s Parliament passed the much-anticipated Anti-Homosexuality Bill that seeks to prohibit same-sex sexual relations early this year.

The bill, which was first passed on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, had at least 389 members of parliament (representing 73%) attend in person while about four dozen others attended via Zoom.

Besides prohibiting same-sex sexual relations, the Bill also seeks to strengthen Uganda’s capacity to deal with domestic and foreign threats to the heterosexual family, safeguard traditional and cultural values, and protect youth and children against gay and lesbian practise by imposing penalties on the perpetrators.

"This House will not shy away from restricting any right to the extent that it recognises, protects, and safeguards the sovereignty, morals, and culture of this country," the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, said after Parliament unanimously passed the Bill.

Some members of parliament (MP) vehemently showed support for the bill, arguing that it was unusual for a person to seek sexual pleasure from a person of the same sex.

"Hon. Speaker, when I look at you and the honourable ladies in this house, there is no reason for a man to run after a man for sex," said Gulu East MP, Charles Onen.

There have been concerns raised by some activists who say that the Bill is a violation of human rights. The Speaker, however, trashed their concerns, saying the cultural norms and aspirations of the people of Uganda will always remain supreme.

"We recognise that the constitution contains non-derogable rights, and in this process, the House has striven to recognise those rights, but the norms and aspirations of the people of Uganda will always remain supreme," she said.