The World Bank hit the brakes on giving Uganda any new money in an announcement on August 8, 2023, over the passing of the Anti-Hom
Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, has asked members of parliament to stay calm amidst the world bank bombshell cutting funding.
The World Bank hit the brakes on giving Uganda any new money in an announcement on August 8, 2023, over the passing of the Anti-Homosexuality Act, 2023. They said this law clashes with their “no discrimination” values.
The World Bank also sent a special group to Uganda to check how projects are done in line with their rules about the environment and people. They wont give more money until they see if these rules are being followed properly.
However, the Deputy Speaker Tayebwa wants MP’s to stay cool and not panic because parliament passed the law knowing that there would be pressure and external challenges arising from the Anti-Homosexuality Act, 2023.
“When we were making this decision, we knew it would have repercussions and we are prepared and strong about the decision we made. The moment we start panicking, it means we do not know what we were doing,” Tayebwa said.
Tayebwa acknowledged that the Cabinet is actively engaged in dialogues with the World Bank and the President mentioned that there is ongoing engagement with the World Bank.
“I do not know why you are panicking as if the country is going to shut down. I saw the communication of the President saying they are engaging with the World Bank” He added
His comments came after MPs including Paul Omara, the Otuke County MP, and Nandala Mafabi, the Budadiri West MP raised eyebrows about the funding freeze.
Nandala said during plenary on Tuesday; “The budget is an expenditure as a result of income. If you don’t realize income then the expenditure will be affected. The Ministry of Finance has not yet complained, but even if it does. If they say out of Shs52 trillion we have only Shs10 trillion, shall we will work within that budget,”
Hon. Henry Musasizi, the State Minister for Finance reiterated that the government is having a serious chat with the World Bank on the issue.
