A non-profit organization supporting LGBTQ individuals in Uganda has expressed concerns that its operations are being jeopardized due to U.S. President Donald Trump’s suspension of foreign aid.
Pius Kennedy, a program officer at the Kampala-based Africa Queer Network, shared that he and five other permanent staff members received a letter from USAID instructing them to cease their activities following Trump’s January 20 executive order freezing foreign assistance.
Kennedy explained that USAID has been a major source of funding for HIV programs, and the organization has now halted its efforts to support LGBTQ people in Uganda. As a result, Kennedy and his colleagues have been unable to continue their work, as they are no longer receiving the necessary funds.
He further stated that the aid suspension could lead to an increase in the spread of sexually transmitted infections, as affected individuals will no longer have access to essential resources such as lubricants, condoms, and self-testing kits.
Kennedy’s organization also depends on grants from other funding sources, like the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), but these too are facing uncertainty due to potential changes in funding.
Kennedy cautioned that the temporary suspension of funding could undo years of progress made in protecting sexual minorities in Uganda. He highlighted that homosexuality is illegal in over 30 of Africa’s 54 countries.
In 2023, after Ugandan lawmakers passed a harsh anti-homosexuality bill, Washington warned of repercussions, and the World Bank withheld some financial aid.
Kennedy also expressed concern about the broader impact of Trump’s decision to cut diversity, equity, and inclusion programs within the U.S. government. He stated that groups like his, which rely on U.S. support during times of crisis, will no longer have that safety net. “We would always turn to the United States in times of insecurity,” he said.
