UNAPOLOGETIC! Uganda’s Parliament’s Reacts to World Bank Funding Freeze as Government ‘Considers Salary Cuts for Public Servants’

Uganda’s Parliament, through Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, has reiterated that the recent decision by the World Bank to suspend funding to Kampala will not force a review of the Anti-Homosexuality Act.

Deputy Speaker Tayebwa has urged fellow MPs and all Ugandans to keep calm.  

Tayebwa, who chaired the House on August 15 afternoon, said the country will not shut down because of the recent World Bank position.

He added that Uganda was very prepared and strong about a decision made by its Parliament.

“I don’t know why you [MPs] are panicking as if the country is going to shut down. We made that decision here and when we were making it, we knew it would have repercussions. We are prepared and strong about a decision we made as a House,” said Tayebwa, who is also the Ruhinda North MP.

“We knew threats would come but let us be calm. I saw a communication from the President; he said they are engaging with the World Bank and therefore, there’s no need for panic.

“Please, executive, do your work, manage your foreign relations, discuss with the World Bank and should you need us, we shall come in and play our role.”

President Yoweri Museveni last week accused the World Bank of using money to try to coerce his government over the country’s anti-homosexuality legislation.

His comments followed an announcement by the World Bank that it was suspending new loans to Kampala. (Read Story Here).

But Museveni, who signed the measures into law in May 2023, said that “Ugandans will develop with or without loans.”

“It is therefore unfortunate that the World Bank and other actors dare to want to coerce us into abandoning our faith, culture, principles, and sovereignty, using money,” said Gen Museveni, the veteran elderly military and political leader from Rwakitura.

“We do not need pressure from anybody to know how to solve problems in our society.”

The President however said that his administration was continuing discussions with the World Bank “so that they avoid this diversion if possible.” (Read Story Here).

Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker Tayebwa has asked the Ministry of Finance to give an update to Parliament on if they intend to do anything in line with reviewing the national budget.

State Minister for Finance Henry Musasizi said the Ministry communicated to the Speaker’s office that it will have an engagement with the Committees on Finance, Budget, and National Economy.

The Museveni minister has revealed that the current budget will be reviewed and that salaries of all servants could be cut. (Read Story Here).

You can also see the list of government projects that will no longer get World Bank money over homosexuals HERE.

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