‘No condoms; can’t stay in marriage’: US aid freeze leaves HIV patients in Uganda struggling
The abrupt suspension of foreign aid by US President Donald Trump has left thousands in Uganda, particularly those living with HIV, in a dire situation. Many who depend on life-saving anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs, preventive medicine, and other healthcare services funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) now face uncertainty.
Mike Elvis Tusubira, a 35-year-old motorcycle taxi rider diagnosed with HIV in 2022, is one of the many affected. His wife, who is HIV-negative, relies on PrEP, a preventive medication.
However, since the funding halt, their supply has stopped. “No condoms, no anti-HIV lubricants, no PrEP, nothing. We can’t stay in marriage without meeting. It means that I have to stay single,” he told the BBC.
According to BBC, Uganda’s health sector relies heavily on donor funding, with 70% of its HIV/AIDS initiatives supported by external sources. USAID alone provided $295 million in health aid to Uganda in 2023, making it one of the top recipients in Africa.
However, Trump’s 90-day aid suspension, which began with stop-work orders issued to organisations funded by USAID, has disrupted services nationwide.
Clinics that previously offered ARV medication and PrEP have been forced to shut down, leaving patients like Tusubira without vital healthcare.
The situation extends beyond Uganda. Malawi, another major recipient of US health aid, has seen key HIV clinics close, leaving thousands in limbo. The BBC reported that in Mzuzu, a crucial HIV service provider had locked its doors, with vehicles left idle and staff uncertain about their future.
Despite a waiver issued by the US State Department to allow for medicine delivery, the lack of healthcare personnel has made distribution nearly impossible. “We are waiting for the 90 days. So, this compulsory leave, I hadn’t prepared for it,” Dr Shamirah Nakitto, a Ugandan clinician, told the BBC.
According to The New York Times, the Trump administration is planning to drastically reduce USAID staff from 14,000 to just 294, with only 12 dedicated to Africa. Critics argue that the funding freeze will lead to catastrophic humanitarian consequences, including a surge in AIDS-related deaths.
Winnie Byanyima, head of UNAIDS, warned, “If you take away this major contribution by the United States government, we expect that in the next five years, there’ll be an additional 6.3 million AIDS-related deaths.”
With limited options, many patients are now left contemplating their next move. “At least it will be a bit simpler. If I die, they just bury me there, instead of disturbing my people here in Kampala,” Tusubira expressed grimly.
Health experts now urge African governments to seek alternative funding sources, warning that continued reliance on foreign aid leaves the region vulnerable.
