Imagine a couple celebrating their 50th anniversary with a divorce – that’s what happened when Uganda parted ways with the World Bank on their Diamond Jubilee. Despite the symbolism of strength, durability, and enduring value that diamonds represent, the relationship came to an abrupt end.
Uganda officially joined the World Bank in 1963, eager to formalize the partnership just months after gaining independence. But on their 60th anniversary, the bank cut funding citing Kampala’s new anti-homosexuality law as the reason for the split.
The breakup came as a surprise to Uganda, as they had been under the illusion that such drastic measures would only be taken over core business issues like corruption. However, a major project, the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area (GKMA), was launched a year after the separation.
With Kampala rapidly expanding beyond its original 200 sq km to include surrounding districts and eventually becoming one of the world’s largest cities, the split with the World Bank may have inadvertently paved the way for Uganda to become a city-state. This unexpected turn of events reveals the resilience and adaptability of a nation in the face of change.
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