Govt urged to boost HIV treatment funding after US aid cuts
A section of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) has urged the government, through the Ministry of Health, to increase national funding for people living with HIV.
This call follows an Executive Order issued on January 20, 2025, by US President Donald Trump to immediately halt all PEPFAR-funded activities in Uganda and globally.
Although Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a waiver on January 29, 2025, for life-saving humanitarian assistance, including medical services and food, to African countries, the waiver does not extend to activities involving abortions, family planning conferences, administrative costs, gender programs, transgender surgeries, or non-life-saving assistance.
Richard Lusimbo, the Director-General of the Uganda Key Populations Consortium (UKPC), emphasized the need for the government to ensure the availability of food and on-site resources, guaranteeing access to life-saving prevention methods and technologies for those who need them.
“We are calling upon our government to step in to ensure that life-saving support and treatment is availed to Ugandans,” he said.
He added that a conducive working environment is essential for healthcare workers and peers, enabling all caregivers to provide care without fear.
