President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has told off the World Bank for cutting funding to Uganda over the anti-homosexuality law passed recently.
In a show of defiance to pressure from foreign nations, Museveni has maintained that the law will remain in place adding that Uganda does not need loans to develop.
"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," Museveni said in a statement on Twitter.
"I want to inform everybody, starting with Ugandans, that Uganda will develop with or without loans."
The controversial President went on to say while they are engaging the World Bank over the matter, they will not allow anyone to impose their culture on them because of money.
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He turned the matter into an African issue saying the move is a demonstration that the World Bank is condescending on Africans.
"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. They really underestimate all Africans," he further said.
"We do not need pressure from anybody to know how to solve problems in our society. They are our problems. We are continuing to talk with the World Bank so that both they and we avoid this diversion if possible."
World Bank announced the cut of funding citing the passing of anti-LGBTQ law.
"Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act fundamentally contradicts the World Bank Group’s values. We believe our vision to eradicate poverty on a liveable planet can only succeed if it includes everyone irrespective of race, gender, or sexuality," World Bank said in a statement.
"This law undermines those efforts. Inclusion and non-discrimination sit at the heart of our work around the world."
The World Bank said its goal is to protect sexual and gender minorities from discrimination and exclusion in projects.
