FURIOUS GEN. MUSEVENI TELLS WORLD BANK AFTER IT SUSPENDED LOANS TO UGANDA
President Yoweri Museveni has blasted the World Bank and other actors who want to coerce Ugandans into compromising their cultural norms and values in exchange for money. The head of state says Uganda will not be lectured on how to solve her problems by anyone but rather these will be handled by Ugandans themselves.
“We do not need pressure from anybody to know how to solve problems in our society. They are our problems” he told them off.
Museveni’s statement is in response to a stressful call he got from one of his contacts in World Bank suggesting the financial institution had suspended any future loans to Uganda. The president is pretty sure this latest action against his government is as a result of the patriotic Anti-Homosexuality Bill he signed into Law a few months ago.
“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 under-estimate all Africans” he said.
The man from Rwakitura added went on ‘I have patiently explained to some of the actors that merely being a homosexual is not targeted by this law. It is going from being a homosexual to recruit or coerce others into your deviance that is targeted by the law’
The president however, said if there are what he referred to as ‘any residual illogicalities’ in the law, Ugandans shall identify them and handle them internally like they fought Idi Amin, the other tyrants and also extended solidarity to their brothers and sisters in Southern Africa that were fighting colonialism and Apartheid.
Museveni said that although engagements with World Bank continue over its decision against Uganda, their loans are inconsequential as Uganda can develop with or without their support.
In fact, he said some years ago, he put his foot down and forbade agreeing to any loan before his approval after realizing that some loans were being smuggled into the country behind his back by unscrupulous public officials.
“I want to inform everybody, starting with Ugandans that Uganda will develop with or without loans. As a matter of fact, many of the loans in the past, were being carelessly entered into by officials behind my back when they were completely unnecessary” he said adding that with discipline, patriotism and combating corruption, Ugandans shall thrive on agriculture and industries that are growing and our services sector that is also expanding.
Hereunder is his full statement
Ugandans, especially the Bazzukulu.
Greetings. Things are moving well in Uganda in spite of the corruption of some Public Servants and some elements of the political class.
The Private sector in farming and manufacturing are the ones developing and transforming Uganda, in spite of the inconveniences by the corrupt officials.
That is why inflation is now 3.9%, one of the lowest in the world. However, the corrupt will be accountable for their betrayal and they will be weeded out.
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.
As a matter of fact, many of the loans in the past, were being carelessly entered into by officials behind my back when they were completely unnecessary.
That is why some years ago, I put down my foot and forbade agreeing to any loan before my approval. Hence, we are now borrowing less and cautiously. Yet our economy is growing, other global challenges such as the war in Europe, corona, etc., notwithstanding.
If there is absolute need for borrowing, there are a number of non- Bretton Woods sources from where we can borrow.
Moreover, our first oil will start flowing by 2025. That will be an additional source of State revenues and also financial flow into the economy.
With discipline, patriotism and combating corruption, we shall thrive because our agriculture is there, our industries are growing and our services sector is expanding.
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 under-estimate all Africans.
I have patiently explained to some of the actors that merely being a homosexual is not targeted by this law. It is going from being a homosexual to recruit or coerce others into your deviance, that is targeted by the law.
If there are any residual illogicalities in the law, we shall identify them and handle them ourselves like we fought Idi Amin, the other tyrants and extended solidarity to our brothers and sisters in Southern Africa that were fighting colonialism and Apartheid.
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.
Signed:
Yoweri K. Museveni
Gen(rtd)
Ssaabalwanyi
