Amnesty Calls on World Bank to Leverage Funding for Uganda’s LGBTQ Rights

Amnesty International has urged the World Bank to use its renewed funding to Uganda as leverage to encourage the government to repeal its controversial Anti-Homosexuality Act. This law, enacted in May 2023 under the leadership of President Yoweri Museveni, imposes severe penalties for same-sex relations, including the possibility of the death penalty in certain cases. Following the law’s implementation, the World Bank halted new loans to Uganda, citing a commitment to non-discriminatory policies.

On Monday, a finance ministry official in Uganda announced that the country would receive $2 billion from the World Bank, to be distributed over three financial years. The World Bank has yet to comment on this funding decision.

Roland Ebole, a researcher for Amnesty International focusing on Uganda and Tanzania, explained that while the organization does not advocate for conditions on aid, the resumption of funding presents a critical opportunity. “Now that they are reinstating the funding, can they then also push that discriminatory practices should basically be stopped?” Ebole stated. He emphasized that the World Bank possesses significant influence and should ensure that no government agenda discriminates against the LGBTQI community.

Calls for Action from Civil Society Organizations

The decision to resume funding has drawn criticism from civil society organizations. A spokesperson for British charity Open for Business, which advocates for economic inclusion and diversity, expressed disappointment, noting that the funding decision contradicts the requests of civil society groups. The organization highlighted that Uganda has already faced substantial financial losses, estimated between $586 million and $2.4 billion annually, largely due to the implications of the anti-LGBTQ law, particularly concerning frozen financing.

In June, the World Bank indicated that it would restart lending to Uganda. At that time, a spokesperson remarked that the institution’s mission to alleviate poverty and enhance shared prosperity could not be realized unless all individuals could participate in and benefit from the projects financed.

The ongoing situation in Uganda raises concerns about human rights and the implications of international funding on local legislation. As the World Bank moves forward with its financial commitments, the actions it takes could significantly impact the trajectory of LGBTQ rights in the country. The coming months will be pivotal in determining whether the World Bank will indeed advocate for changes to Uganda’s discriminatory laws.