President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni, has responded to the World Bank over its intentions to halt future loan requests.
On August 8, the bank declared that it was pursuing legal action against the nation as a result of the recent passing of an anti-LGBTQ bill.
The president said that the behavior of the international lender amounted to trying to persuade Ugandans to renounce their faith and culture in exchange for money in a letter to the people that was published on Twitter.
Despite the fact that discussions with the lender to formalize areas of collaboration were in progress, he claimed that the East African nation would still thrive with or without funding.
Full text: Museveni’s message to the nation
Ugandans, especially the Bazzukulu.
Greetings.
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.
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 under-estimate all Africans.
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.
Signed:
Yoweri K. Museveni
Gen(rtd)
Ssaabalwanyi