The government of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in Uganda has made the decision to seek financial assistance from the World Bank, even as the international lender had previously indicated a potential freeze on loans to Kampala due to concerns related to the Anti-Homosexuality Act.
Recently, a Ugandan government minister left the nation surprised by disclosing that a significant portion of the budget allocated to the Office of the Prime Minister was used for the purchase of firewood to aid in meal preparation for refugees.
Several months ago, the World Bank had publicly declared its intention to halt financial support to Uganda over concerns regarding homosexual rights.=
However, Hillary Onek, the Minister of Relief and Disaster Preparedness, informed a parliamentary committee that the government intends to borrow $280 million (approximately 1.059 trillion Ugandan Shillings) from the World Bank to provide assistance to refugees residing in Uganda.
Minister Onek explained that this funding would be directed towards various projects in refugee-hosting districts and expand to include transit districts for refugees, such as Bundibugyo, Amuru, Kisoro, and Kitgum.
He emphasized that this financial support would ensure that the services available in these areas can meet the demands of the increasing refugee population.
Simultaneously, Minister Onek revealed that Uganda allocates $1.3 billion (about 4.944 trillion Ugandan Shillings) annually for refugee response efforts, with a significant portion, approximately 4.019 trillion Ugandan Shillings, being dedicated to the purchase of firewood for refugees to use in cooking their meals.
He pointed out that a vast majority of refugees in the country, approximately 97%, rely on firewood for their cooking needs. Research reports from organizations like the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), World Bank, and World Food Programme (WFP) estimate that about 5,000 Ugandan Shillings are spent per refugee per day for this purpose.
This revelation follows another surprising development in which the government initiated the digital number plates project, allowing a controversial Russian company to generate substantial revenue from Ugandan car and motorcycle owners and riders.
Regarding the World Bank’s threat to freeze loans over concerns related to the Anti-Homosexuality Act, numerous projects may no longer receive financial support, and there is a possibility of reduced salaries for government employees due to the World Bank’s decision.
