The World Bank has chosen the historically significant date in East Africa of 8/8 to drive the semi-final nail in its relationship with Uganda. Ugandans and Tanzanians hitherto mentally attach Saba 7/7 (Saba 7/7) to a powerful external force that overturns the status quo. For Ugandans, Saba Saba was the deadly artillery used by Tanzanian forces to overrun the country in 1979 and kick out Idi Amin’s military government.
Originally, Saba Saba as the seventh of July, is a very important calendar anniversary in Tanzania, being the day in 1954 the Tanganyika African National Union (TANU) was born to liberate Africans from the yoke of colinalism. It later became Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) when Zanzibar became part of the United Republic of Tanzania.
Now after Ugandans tasted the lethal Saba Saba gun that overrun their country, Nane Nane (8/8) has arrived from Washington to protect the LGBTQ people whom the World Bank believes are under threat after the passing of the anti-homosexuality law that strengthened the criminalization of the promotion of gay activities in the country. In effect, the World Bank will not entertain any new funding requests from Uganda.
The law that was passed earlier this year was strengthening the one inherited from the British criminalizing homosexual activities. The “new” law provides for the death penalty for aggravated homosexual assault, that previously only applied to sexual defilement of presumably female minors.
The extended criminalization to cover all perpetrators/victims has caused the country a lot of trouble and negative publicity from pro-gay lobbyists.
The World Bank on Tuesday the 8th of August:
WASHINGTON, August 8, 2023—The World Bank Group today released the following statement on Uganda:
“Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act fundamentally contradicts the World Bank Group’s values. We believe our vision to eradicate poverty on a livable planet can only succeed if it includes everyone irrespective of race, gender, or sexuality. This law undermines those efforts. Inclusion and non-discrimination sit at the heart of our work around the world.
Immediately after the law was enacted, the World Bank deployed a team to Uganda to review our portfolio in the context of the new legislation. That review determined additional measures are necessary to ensure projects are implemented in alignment with our environmental and social standards. Our goal is to protect sexual and gender minorities from discrimination and exclusion in the projects we finance. These measures are currently under discussion with the authorities.
No new public financing to Uganda will be presented to our Board of Executive Directors until the efficacy of the additional measures has been tested.
Third-party monitoring and grievance redress mechanisms will significantly increase, allowing us to take corrective action as necessary.
The World Bank Group has a longstanding and productive relationship with Uganda; and we remain committed to helping all Ugandans—without exception—escape poverty, access vital services, and improve their lives.
