President Yoweri Museveni has reassured Ugandans that the country will not be affected by the withdrawal of American foreign aid, dismissing continental concerns over the move.
Speaking at the State Iftar dinner at State House Entebbe on Tuesday, Museveni questioned why several African nations were even distressed over the review of American assistance by US President Donald Trump. He insisted that Uganda would not suffer from the lack of aid but would instead continue to thrive.
“That is the problem with many African countries—when you hear them crying that the Americans have stopped aid, you wonder, how can we die because of American aid? Whether they stop it or not, we shall continue,” Museveni said.
On January 20, 2025, the US government issued a memo pausing what could amount to trillions of dollars in federal aid under the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
The decision, part of the Trump administration’s broader strategy to restructure and reduce the federal workforce, sparked concerns about the potential impact on health programs and other initiatives in aid-dependent countries like Uganda.
During his speech, Museveni reflected on his personal experience with religion, stating that his family chose to maintain their traditional beliefs rather than adopt modern faiths. He recounted how, in Ankole, people built homes called Okwombeka, which symbolized a holistic approach to survival, encompassing wealth accumulation, education, and religion without discrimination.
He urged Muslims to embrace wealth creation, referencing his great-grandmother Nyinachwende’s wisdom that “one cannot have status without wealth.” He emphasized that prosperity in modern society goes beyond livestock and agriculture, extending to education and financial stability.
Museveni also commended the unity among Muslims at the event, noting that different sects including Sunni, Tabliqs, and Shia were dining together, a contrast to past divisions driven by sectarianism.
He encouraged religious leaders to help their followers balance spiritual and worldly responsibilities. The president expressed satisfaction that Muslims had begun accepting funds from the Parish Development Model (PDM), which was initially rejected due to concerns over riba (interest).
He clarified that the government does not profit from the PDM funds and that the 5% interest rate does not constitute riba. Meanwhile, the government has been working to address financial gaps resulting from the US aid cuts.
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja announced that over Shs 163 billion had been allocated to fund capitation grants for government-aided schools.
The Grand Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, urged Muslims to observe fasting unless physically unable to do so. He emphasized that fasting is a time for reflection, gratitude, and unity, fostering compassion for those in need.
Mubaje praised the government’s efforts in promoting unity among Muslims and acknowledged Museveni’s personal engagement with communities during the PDM presidential tours. He also mentioned that the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) had revisited its constitution, passed in July 2022, to address concerns from those who felt excluded due to qualification requirements.
While expressing gratitude for government support, Mubaje noted that some unresolved issues remained but declined to discuss them publicly. Vice President Jessica Alupo remarked that Muslims have consistently shown strong support for Museveni and indicated that they were ready to back him again in 2026. She emphasized that Ramadan is a time for repentance, forgiveness, and generosity.
The assurance would have been meaningful if Mr Museveni had announced what strategies have been laid in response to the aid cuts. He will also continue to survive because he is number one priority for uganda’s expenditure. USAID was responsible for HIV/AIDS treatment, testing, TB, treatment. Those who have been directly benefitting from this aid are for sure going to suffer because government has not looked for alternative funding and because the president doesn’t care at all for these clients.
The rest of Africa need to take a leaf from the leaders of the Bokino faco and put their people first and kick out the west.
Unfortunately, the reality is quite different; this is merely rhetoric. Currently, patients who were on regular treatment from American funding have not been given an alternative, and there does not seem to be any reprieve. From which votes is the money to plug the gaps being derived, and what is being given up? I see that the state house is still walloping the same amounts as it used to.
He is saying this because no member of his family has been affected, so many jobless people now have emerged on top of the huge number of people who were looking for jobs, so here you come and say Uganda will not be affected, organisations have closed and meaning many families are affected, no education, no food rents arrears, bank taking their properties, so how do you say Uganda will not be affected by the withdrawal of funds, God should hear our prayers and come to our aid
There has been desperation and worry about the USA aid withdrawal and its consequences not only in Uganda but also in many countries the world over. M7 should not deceive us. Accept the truth and stop the arrogance. With the foreign killing us let him show us how the country is going to manage.
I wish to disagree with the president. No alternative has been given. Many Ugandans are jobless as I speak, health services are at stake.
What parameters is he saying that we shall not be affected.
Like him who is always asking for supplementary budget from parliament
I meant with the heavy debt of borrowed money plus interest we should not be boasting.
This is a joke, hardly three month now and PCR and VL not being done u suggest to Mr President to invit at least three people from all the implementing partners and discuss way forward.
https://nilepost.co.ug/health/250634/us-aid-cuts-have-pushed-uganda-into-shs604bn-health-crisis-hole-dr-aceng
Marc Mae you have a point. That is why the government of Uganda should be sitting down with the USA like many other countries to negotiate how best to start paying the high international debts already owed by Uganda especially by the IMF and the World Bank in the USA. Good that President Museveni is lavishly dining the Uganda NRM Muslim die hard and their many rich islamic friends abroad, who have got plenty of oil money to finance NRM dream house!
Is it in order, to say that Uganda is not shaken, yet there are thousands of Ugandans currently unemployed because of USAID’s abrupt withdrawal?
Has government considered meeting the former employees/beneficiaries, to find an alternative? It also does not help that DGF, which would have stood in the gap, was equally made to exit Uganda.