The Centre for Constitutional Governance (CCG) has called on the Opposition Caucus to pressure the government into prioritizing funding for critical sectors such as health and education instead of relying on foreign aid.
Sarah Bireete, the Executive Director of CCG, urged the shadow cabinet to ensure that these sectors receive full government funding despite the freeze on donor aid from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
“I would expect the Leader of Opposition and the shadow cabinet to make sure that these critical sectors are covered by government 100%. Whether USAID funds are restored or not, donor funds should go to less critical sectors and health and education should be funded by government,” she said.
Bireete highlighted that the health sector is facing uncertainty due to USAID’s decision to halt funding globally, which has had a significant impact on both health and education in Uganda.
“In the situation that we are in, we are in a current fiscal squeeze, as a country and as a globe, with a shrinking funding base including the freeze of donor aid by USAID globally and that has affected critical sectors especially health and education in our country,” she added.
She made these remarks during a parliamentary discussion on the opposition’s alternative priority areas for the fiscal year 2025/2026, held under the theme “Combating Corruption: The Sure Way to Effective Service Delivery.”
Following his swearing-in as U.S. President, Donald Trump and his administration froze aid to several African countries, including Uganda.
Uganda’s health sector, which heavily relies on funding for projects from organizations such as USAID, was significantly impacted by this decision.
The move has raised concerns among beneficiaries and government officials, who fear its adverse effects on healthcare services in the country.
Last week, the prime minister of Uganda Robinnah Nabbanja while appearing in Parliament revealed that Cabinet will discuss measures to address the shs 480 billion funding gap in Uganda’s HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention programs following the suspension of U.S. aid.
“The suspension of USAID funding, effective January 20, 2025, has significantly impacted Uganda’s HIV/AIDS programs. To bridge this gap and sustain essential services, an additional shs 480 billion is required. The Ministry of Health is preparing a Cabinet Memorandum to brief Cabinet on the crisis and seek Executive guidance on resource mobilization,” Nabbanja said.
