Anti-LGBT laws: Yoweri Museveni says World Bank trying to coerce Uganda into abandoning faith, culture

President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda has accused the World Bank of attempting “to coerce” the Ugandan government over its recent anti-LGBT laws.

Recall that the international lender announced that it would not offer any additional loans to the country since the law prohibiting same-sex relationships contradicts its beliefs.

Museveni, in a message on X, formerly known as Twitter, said:” Things are moving well in Uganda in spite of the corruption of some Public Servants and some elements of the political class.

“Last night, an official from the World Bank rang me to alert me about the statement from that Bank regarding the suspension of any new requests from Uganda for loans. I want to inform everybody, starting with Ugandans, that Uganda will develop with or without loans.”

He condemned the World Bank for trying to “coerce us into abandoning our faith, culture, principles and sovereignty, using money”. He said.

“They really under-estimate all Africans. We do not need pressure from anybody to know how to solve problems in our society. They are our problems,” he added.

Also in the post, the Ugandan leader said the country will continue to hold talks with the World Bank “so that they and we avoid this diversion if possible”.

In May, President Museveni approved an anti-LGBT bill that includes the death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality” and a 20-year prison sentence for “promoting” homosexuality.