KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — Uganda’s government has been hit with substantial aid cuts after the president enacted a severe anti-gay measure over which some Western governments had warned of consequences.
At least three European countries are withdrawing millions in direct support to Uganda’s government, which depends on donors for about 20 percent of its budget.
The Dutch government said in a statement seen Thursday that it is suspending aid to Uganda’s government but will continue supporting non-governmental groups, joining the governments of Norway and Denmark in taking such action. Norway is withdrawing at least $8 million but will increase its support to human rights and democracy defenders, while Denmark is restructuring aid programs worth $8.64 million away from the Ugandan government and over to private actors and civic groups.
Jim Mugunga, a spokesman for Uganda’s Finance Ministry, said the government is waiting for official communication of the aid cuts.
Washington has also signaled it could cut aid to Uganda over an anti-gay measure the White House described as “abhorrent.”
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Wednesday compared the law to oppressive government crackdowns on German Jews in the 1930s and black South Africans during apartheid, saying he was going to direct American ambassadors to look at “how we deal with this human rights challenge on a global basis.”