Breaking news – World Bank suspends lending to Uganda because of the Anti-Homosexuality Act
An unexpected development rooted in policies which hopefully will send a message to other unscrupulous politicians manipulating prejudice for support
In the statement below, the World Bank announced this afternoon that it would suspend all future loans to Uganda because of the Anti-Homosexuality Act (AHA). All current loans will continue disbursements as long as the Ugandan government provides mitigation to AHA measures satisfactory to the Bank. This is a move that the Ugandan LGBTQ+ civil society had requested in a letter to the Bank and which I supported in my Washington Post op-ed earlier this summer.
Before any talk of "imperialism" or cultural relativism comments, it is essential to understand that the Bank would make a similar move if Dalit people in India, Batwa people in Congo, Roma people in Europe, or any other minority were legally barred from existence the way LGBTQ+ are under the abhorrent anti-homosexuality bill in Uganda. AHA is not business as usual nor a relic of the past: it is a clear apartness ideology. International development money cannot fund development projects that encourage economic progress for one segment of its population but bars it for the rest. Hopefully, the Bank and Uganda can identify mitigation measures – as outlined in the statement – so the Ugandan people are not penalized for the irresponsibility of those who govern them. Still, it is hard to imagine that anything besides the repeal of AHA would work.
I regret that the Bank started its statement with “values” when it should have mentioned its “policies.” Indeed the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, a political instrumentalization of prejudice against LGBTQ+ people, is incoherent with the anti-discrimination rules the Bank adopted after its Safeguards review around 2014. The LGBTQ+ community championed these rules under the leadership of the wondrous Chad Dobson. As an example, these efforts led to this good practice note published in 2019, "Environmental & Social Framework for IPF Operations Non-Discrimination: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI)"”
As an additional benefit, this World Bank’s decision enshrines the role of sexual orientation and gender identity in development, a topic, which started emerging during the HIV epidemic, and that I expanded with the help of dedicated colleagues after 2010. I am now privileged to teach this topic to graduate students. The Bank decision also further departs the Bank from “the anachronistic and inconsistent interpretation of the ‘political prohibition’ contained in the Bank’s Articles of Agreement” that its work is immune to human rights.
There must be a high price to pay to peddle homophobia and transphobia. Hopefully, the message will be heard by the other regional politicians who rely on development aid but want to gain traction by instrumentalizing the suffering of already marginalized communities for support.
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WASHINGTON, August 8, 2023—The World Bank Group today released the following statement on Uganda:
“Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act fundamentally contradicts the World Bank Group’s values. We believe our vision to eradicate poverty on a livable planet can only succeed if it includes everyone irrespective of race, gender, or sexuality. This law undermines those efforts. Inclusion and non-discrimination sit at the heart of our work around the world.
Immediately after the law was enacted, the World Bank deployed a team to Uganda to review our portfolio in the context of the new legislation. That review determined additional measures are necessary to ensure projects are implemented in alignment with our environmental and social standards. Our goal is to protect sexual and gender minorities from discrimination and exclusion in the projects we finance. These measures are currently under discussion with the authorities.
No new public financing to Uganda will be presented to our Board of Executive Directors until the efficacy of the additional measures has been tested.
Third-party monitoring and grievance redress mechanisms will significantly increase, allowing us to take corrective action as necessary.
The World Bank Group has a longstanding and productive relationship with Uganda; and we remain committed to helping all Ugandans—without exception—escape poverty, access vital services, and improve their lives.”
A very good analysis of the “policies” that demonstrate the “values” of any organization.
Impressive coverage, color, and context. Thank you for sharing.