The World Bank announced on Wednesday that it is lifting a freeze on lending to Uganda, which was implemented in response to a 2023 law that criminalises homosexuality, after the country made progress toward countering discrimination.
Uganda’s anti-LGBTQ legislation imposes severe penalties for same-sex relations or “promoting” homosexuality, with some cases potentially facing the death penalty.
Following President Yoweri Museveni’s signing of the law in May 2023, the World Bank suspended all new loans to Uganda, stating that the projects it funded must comply with its policies against discrimination.

Since then, “the World Bank worked with the government and other stakeholders in the country to introduce, implement and test measures that prevent discrimination in World Bank-funded projects,” a spokesman told AFP.
“Consequently, the Bank has prepared new projects in sectors with significant development needs,” which will be presented to the World Bank’s board.
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