US aid freeze: Uganda releases new HIV treatment guidelines

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The Government of Uganda has released new guidelines for people living with HIV as it moves to stem challenges arising from the recent US freeze on foreign aid.

The Uganda AIDS Commission (UAC) says all people living with HIV are advised to continue visiting Government and non-government health facilities to access HIV services.

"Health Workers are ready to serve you in accordance with your appointment days, " the entity said in a short statement on January 29, 2025.

The entity said they are working with the health ministry and other stakeholders, including people living with HIV, to ensure that there is continuity of HIV prevention and treatment services without disruption.

On Monday, US President Donald Trump issued a series of executive orders, among which is a 90-day freeze on implementation of almost all US foreign aid effective January 24, 2025, until a review is done to re-align foreign aid.

Consequently, all HIV implementing partners in Uganda who are supported by the US Government received guidance to start implementing the Order, with reports indicating that all projects, including those in critical areas such as HIV treatment, had closed down.

In its communication on Wednesday, UAC said it had co-ordinated HIV stakeholders' engagements to develop a national sustainability framework for Uganda's HIV response: "These discussions will be expedited to guide the Government make strategic decisions relating to the Executive Orders".

Lifting some aspects

Meanwhile, UNAIDS executive director, Winnie Byanyima, welcomed the decision by the US Secretary of State @StateDept to lift some aspects of a freeze on foreign aid.

This comes after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, on Wednesday, announced he had approved an “Emergency Humanitarian Waiver”, which will allow people to continue accessing HIV treatment funded by the US across 55 countries worldwide.

"This urgent decision restores hope to millions of people living with HIV, to keep us on track to #endAIDS," Byanyima said in a post on X on Wednesday, adding that this will guarantee "life-saving HIV treatment during the ongoing review of US foreign development assistance."

According to UNAIDs, the waiver applies to core life-saving medicine and medical services, including HIV treatment, as well as to supplies necessary to deliver such assistance.

The United States is the world's biggest international aid donor, spending $68bn in 2023, according to the US State Department.

Since 2004, many HIV patients have been depending on US support through the President’s Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR). In 2024, for example, the US extended a total of $471 m (about sh1.7 trillion) in budget support to Uganda’s health sector. Another $426 (about sh1.5 trillion) supported PEPFAR activities.