In a bid to safeguard the country’s HIV response, over 50 representatives from HIV/AIDS organizations in Uganda have petitioned U.S. President Donald Trump to lift his order suspending aid to African countries.
The plea comes amid growing concerns that the decision could severely disrupt the treatment of the 1.4 million Ugandans currently living with HIV.
At a press conference held at the Uganda Network on Law, Ethics, and HIV/AIDS (UGANET) offices in Ntinda, the HIV-positive community voiced fears of impending drug shortages, which could lead to a spike in preventable deaths and mother-to-child transmission of the virus.
Many patients in Uganda depend heavily on U.S. assistance for antiretroviral therapy and counseling services, with the country remaining one of the 20 African nations hardest hit by HIV/AIDS.
Flavia Kyomukama, the head of the National Forum of People Living with HIV (NAFOPAHANU), highlighted the urgent need for the Ugandan government to establish a local funding mechanism to mitigate the impact of international aid cuts.
“We have repeatedly called on the government to create an HIV trust fund, but our pleas have gone unanswered,” Kyomukama stated.
“If parliament does not allocate additional funds in the next fiscal year budget to purchase medicines, we cannot stop people from voicing their frustrations in the next elections.”
While reports suggest that Trump may be reconsidering his decision, there has been no official confirmation of any change in the suspension of aid, leaving HIV-positive Ugandans uncertain about the future of their treatment programs. The petitioners have called for an immediate reversal of the aid suspension to prevent a public health crisis in Uganda.
