The suspension of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) activities in Uganda has triggered widespread fear and uncertainty among the country’s HIV-positive population, with many describing the situation as a matter of “life and death.”
Taking to its official X handle, Vanguard Newspaper reported that a wave of protests has erupted, as people living with HIV decry the abrupt halt of USAID-funded health programs.
One of the affected individuals, Mike Elvis Tusubira, a Ugandan taxi driver who tested positive for HIV in 2022, voiced his distress over the dire consequences of the decision.
> “The suspension of all USAID activities has affected me deeply. I don’t know what to do next. What will happen to me?” he lamented.
With USAID providing crucial support for 1.4 million people living with HIV in Uganda, the sudden funding freeze has left thousands in a precarious situation.
A Struggle for Survival
Mike, like many others, relied on USAID-backed treatment and support services. His doctor, who had been treating him, has already left the hospital where he sought care. Now, he fears for not just his own future but that of his wife and child.
> “My doctor told me he left the hospital I was going to. What will happen to my child and my partner?” he asked, his voice heavy with uncertainty.
Although his wife remains HIV-negative due to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medication, the USAID shutdown has disrupted their access to essential medicines and counseling services. As a result, their relationship has started to suffer, strained by the anxiety of an uncertain future.
> “There are no shelters, no medicine, no condoms, nothing,” Mike added.
Uganda is one of the top ten African countries receiving USAID assistance. In 2023, the country received $295 million in health aid—trailing behind Nigeria ($368 million) and Tanzania ($337 million).
The Ugandan health sector is heavily dependent on international support, with 70% of HIV treatment funded by foreign aid. USAID plays a vital role in combating HIV, malaria, tuberculosis, and leprosy, as well as supporting maternal and child health programs.
The abrupt suspension has left many hospitals and clinics struggling to provide life-saving antiretroviral therapy (ART), leading to fears of increased HIV-related deaths and a resurgence of infections.
As the crisis deepens, protests have erupted across Uganda, with activists and affected individuals demanding the immediate reinstatement of USAID health programs. Health experts warn that if swift action is not taken, Uganda could face a devastating health crisis, undoing years of progress in HIV/AIDS management.
The Ugandan government has yet to provide a clear response on how it intends to fill the gap left by USAID’s withdrawal, leaving millions hanging in uncertainty. For people like Mike, the next few months could be the difference between survival and tragedy.
PIONEER NEWS 