Uganda: ‘Loss of aid is small price to pay for moral values’
By Sam Rigby
The man behind Uganda’s new anti-gay laws has claimed that the loss of Western aid is a small price to pay for protecting “moral values”.
David Bahati pushed for new legislation including life imprisonment for gay people who repeatedly break the laws and custodial sentences for those who reach out to the gay community.
Speaking to Reuters, he said: “(The law) is very much worth it because it will protect our values. I think a society that has no moral values is a contradiction to development.”
Last week, the Netherlands, Norway and Denmark all suspended aid to Uganda, while the US and Canada said that they will reconsider their support of the African country.
Meanwhile, the World Bank postponed a loan to Uganda following the passing of the new anti-gay bill.
“It’s also unfortunate that the World Bank would take such a decision… and create an impression that accepting homosexuality is a condition for World Bank money when it is not,” Bahati said.
“This blackmail will go on,” Bahati continued. “It might get worse before it gets better but at the end of the day, the sovereignty of our nation will triumph.”
More from Uganda on attitude.co.uk:
> William Hague “deeply saddened” by Uganda anti-gay bill
> Uganda health minister: ‘Gays can still access healthcare’
> Uganda gay activists: ‘Cutting aid will hurt LGBTI community’