Uganda’s president Yoweri Museveni has said the country “will develop with or without loans” from the World Bank.
World Bank yesterday blacklisted Uganda for its hash anti-gay law. The World Bank revealed that it will not consider new loans to Uganda after the East African country.
Uganda’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs Henry Okello Oryem said the move by the World Bank was hypocritical. He accused the Western entities of being quick to lecture vulnerable countries about democracy, only to turn around and punish them when they do what doesn’t suit the interests of Western powers and allied institutions.
“Stop this hypocrisy,” he said. “The law was passed by Uganda Parliament; these are representatives of the people. That’s democracy.”
In response, the Ugandan leader also in a statement 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 added.
Mr. Museveni said it is unfortunate that the World Bank and other actors dare to want to coerce Ugandans into abandoning their faith, culture, principles and sovereignty, using money.
The president believes the World Bank underestimates all Africans.
“We do not need pressure from anybody to know how to solve problems in our society. They are our problems.”
He emphasized that the government will continue to talk with the World Bank so that both they can avoid this diversion if possible.
