KAMPALA, (UG): The Opposition Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) political party has written to the World Bank after the latter’s decision to suspend funding to Uganda over the adoption of the Anti-Gay Law.
The International Money lender on August 8, 2023, announced that “No new public financing for Uganda will be presented to the Board of Executive Directors.”
The move by the Washington-DC-based institution sparked different reactions from both local and international bodies, among which is the ANT political party which in a letter dated August 14 sought clarification on the suspended funding to the East African country.
According to ANT’s National Coordinator, Ms Alice Alaso, the party does not advocate for any reduction or disruption of assistance, whether in the form of aid or developmental initiatives aimed at enhancing the well-being of the Ugandan populace.
“Our stance is grounded in recognising that curbing or suspending donor support does not immediately impact autocratic regimes; instead, it disproportionately affects the general population, particularly the marginalised and economically disadvantaged,” Ms Alaso stated.
“We respectfully seek clarification regarding the rationale behind the World Bank’s decision to withhold funding, specifically in response to the LGBTQ+ legislation,” she added.
The former FDC stalwart also revealed that the decision can potentially detrimentally affect the lives of countless ordinary and vulnerable citizens whose human rights have consistently been disregarded and violated.
“Considering the multitude of pressing concerns, we are perplexed by the choice of this particular issue,” she noted, hoping that they (ANT) will be furnished with a comprehensive response that elucidates the reasoning behind this decision.
“In the spirit of constructive engagement, we anticipate that the World Bank will furnish a comprehensive response that elucidates the reasoning behind this decision. We hope that this response will address the concerns of the Ugandan populace,” Alaso wrote.
She further explained that Ugandan citizens have borne witness to numerous grievances of particular significance and the erosion of governance fundamentals, rampant corruption, and the decay of democratic processes.
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