President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda has accused the World Bank of attempting “to coerce” the government over its anti-LGBT laws.
This comes after the lender announced that it would not make any additional loans to the country, since the law prohibiting same-sex relationships contradicts its beliefs.
But in a statement posted on social media, President Museveni said that “Uganda will develop with or without loans”.
He said it was unfortunate that the lender was seeking to “coerce us into abandoning our faith, culture, principles and sovereignty, using money”.
“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.
Mr Museveni, on the other hand, stated that the country was continuing talks with the World Bank “so that they and we can 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.
Human rights organizations in Uganda and around the world have criticised the legislation. The United Nations, the United States, and other countries have all criticised the new law.
The World Bank joined the United States in sanctioning Uganda for its anti-homosexuality law.
