Bobi Wine calls out World Bank over hypocrisy

Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, is the head of the opposition in Uganda. He has criticized the World Bank for ignoring more human rights abuses.

Wine stated in a tweet that the World Bank should “know” that all human rights are equal and should not focus on issues with same-sex interracial partnerships.

The young lawmaker, who is also a musician, urged the World Bank to pay more attention to other human rights abuses like torture, incarceration without trial, mass murder, and electoral fraud.

“It’s disturbing how institutions like these prioritize only gay rights and ignores all the other gross human rights violations, including mass murder, torture, detention without charge, and undermining democracy by rigging elections. Dear @WorldBank, all human rights are human rights!”

The statement was made a day after the World Bank said it has stopped providing funds to Uganda as a result of President Yoweri Museveni’s decision to sign what are known as the “harsh” same-sex legislation.

The World Bank stated in a statement that Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act fundamentally went against the bank’s values and undermined attempts to be inclusive and non-discriminatory.

“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. We aim to protect sexual and gender minorities from discrimination and exclusion in the projects we finance. These measures are currently under discussion with the authorities.”

However, the 78-year-old Museveni stated in a handwritten statement that it was regrettable that the World Bank and other parties attempted to pressure Ugandans to accept a foreign culture by using financial means to make them give up their beliefs, culture, principles, and sovereignty.

“We are continuing to talk with the World Bank so that both they and we avoid this diversion if possible.”