 "Sweden also cuts aid to Uganda over anti-gay bill")
Stockholm: Sweden has joined a number of countries in halting aid to Uganda after the East African nation strengthened its anti-gay legislation last week.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Sebastian Tham said on Wednesday that Sweden will immediately cut planned aid worth 6.5 million kronor ($1 million) to the Ugandan government, but will continue with other non-governmental programs. In 2013, the total amount of Swedish aid to Uganda was $35 million.
Last week, Nordic neighbor Norway said it will withdraw at least $8 million in aid to Uganda’s government while Denmark announced it will restructure aid programs worth $8.6 million away from the Ugandan government over to private actors and civic groups.
‘Worth the loss’
Defending the anti-homosexuality legislation, author of the bill said that enacting it was worth the loss of aids because it was a step towards protecting morals of the African nation.
Initially, Lawmaker David Bahati, had sought capital punishment for some acts when he introduced the bill in 2009. Defending the law, Bahati said that suspension of aid was tantamount to blackmail, however he expected more such cuts to follow.
AP
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