Yoweri Museveni Claps Back At World Bank With Handwritten Statement: "We Will Develop With Or Without Loans"

• It appears that President Yoweri Museveni is taking no prisoners after the World Bank blacklisted Uganda for loans
• The US-based multilateral lender accused Kampala of enacting harsh laws targeting the members of the LGBTQ community
• Museveni in his handwritten letter addressed to the World Bank said his country would continue doing fine with or without funding from outside

Kampala - President Yoweri Museveni has told off the World Bank over its resolve to freeze loans for Uganda over its leader's stance against the gay community.

World Bank's loan freeze on Uganda

The United Nations multilateral lender suspended funding for projects in Uganda, citing human rights violations after the enactment of the anti-homosexuality law.

In a statement on Tuesday, August 9, the bank declared that they had stopped the funding until Kampala provided adequate policies to protect minorities, including the LGBTQ+ community.

The lender pointed out that the Anti-Homosexuality Act goes against its values, adding that they firmly believe in eradicating poverty on a livable planet. Museveni assented to the law in May.

They stated this was only achievable if it included everyone, regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation.

“This law undermines those efforts. Inclusion and non-discrimination sit at the heart of our work around the world," read the statement in part.

Yoweri Museveni's stance

Unperturbed by the World Bank's move, Museveni addressed to it a handwritten letter saying Kampala would still do fine without the loans or funding for projects.

He revealed a World Bank representative phoned him to stress their position regarding the loans freeze.

Regardless, the veteran leader stated that his country would leverage the internal sectors of the economy, like farming and manufacturing, to keep things running.

"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 said.

Museveni said he would not lead Ugandans into giving in to coercions by external forces to abandon their faith, culture, and practices.

He, however, divulged that he had committed to engagements with the World Bank to resolve any issues that may be wedging the rift.

"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.

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," he added.

Ugandans weigh in

Museveni's decision to address the international lender using a handwritten note, and via Twitter, left tweeps amazed.

They were, however, divided on whether the president had taken the correct move considering African countries bank on concessional funding from such institutions.

A section also counselled him to tackle corruption so that the monies lost could compensate for World Bank funding.

Below are a few reactions to the Museveni-World Bank tiff;

@Kiiza Maggie: "We are standing with you, mzee. Corruption is an obstacle to the development of our country

@Arftul Dojer: "You're contradicting yourself, your Excellency. First you say, we can develop without aid then towards the end, you say you're engaging World Bank on the same matter. I thought you would say to them "it's okay, we don't care."

@Susan: "No your culture comes first don’t be bullied."

@Wilson Nyeko: "The mistake u are about to make is to continue talking/negotiating with them; please don't.. African values, principles, and cultures have been undermined enough by the West. It's time to realize that Africa can develop steadily without them. That's the bitter truth."

@Moses Mawanda: "Corruption takes a very big percentage on our development..Please if you don't work on it we r going nowhere."

@Maridadi Kamagara: "Your excellency, there is no need to trade our lives because of money. World Bank should know that the money they are talking about is not for free but rather a burden on Ugandans since it's returned with interest. So, we can live without it or switch to the East."