Sweden to stop aid to Uganda in light of anti-gay laws
By Josh Haggis
Sweden has announced it is to stop aid to Uganda in light of the country’s new anti-gay laws.
The amount of aid being withdrawn is unknown – though in 2012 Sweden gave Uganda €26.5 million (£21.8 million), almost half of which was for the purpose of promoting democracy, human rights and gender equality.
Sweden’s Minister for International Development Cooperation, Hillevi Engstroem, said in a statement: “Swedish aid is not unconditional. That’s why the government has decided to withhold state-to-state payments.”
She added: “The government reaffirms its strong condemnation of the Ugandan legislation that violates the fundamental rights of homosexuals, bisexuals and transgender people.”
Sweden joins the Netherlands, Norway and Denmark in suspending aid to Uganda. The US and Canada have said they intend to reconsider their support of the African country.
The World Bank also postponed a loan to Uganda following the passing of the new anti-gay laws.
Yesterday (March 4), a Vatican Cardinal condemned Uganda’s new anti-gay laws, saying: “Homosexuals are not criminals”.
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> Uganda gay activists: ‘Cutting aid will hurt LGBTI community’