In an aggressive push for his “put Americans first,” agenda, the Donald Trump White House has repeatedly called for cuts to foreign aid, sending shivers down many beneficiaries’ spines around the globe, Uganda inclusive.
But in a media briefing yesterday at the American Centre in Nsambya, Ambassador Deborah Malac said the US congress had not allowed the reductions to take place; so, assistance to various Ugandan programs would continue as budgeted for.
“We are continuing with our programming until and if there is a reduction in the amount of funding we are receiving,” Malac said as she launched the Report To The Ugandan People.
Uganda received $896m (about Shs 3.3 trillion) from the USA in the fiscal year 2018, most of it going to the country’s chronically under-funded health sector.
The President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR), in particular, used more than $400m in FY2018 in HIV/Aids care, prevention, treatment and support services.
The report also highlights the US mission’s work in agriculture, peacekeeping, refugee crises, rule of law and governance, among others.
Recognising the persistent poor ranking of the country by various corruption indexes, Malac said it is her government’s policy to work directly with implementing partners, and not directly with sitting governments, to ensure strict accountability for funding.
The launch was also attended by the heads of different US departments in Uganda.
carol@observer.ug