On 3rd February 2025, CEHURD convened a one-day strategic meeting to examine the implications of President Trump’s orders/policies on Uganda’s health system, (particularly their impact on provision of sexual and reproductive health services, HIV health services) and develop strategies to ensure the health rights of Ugandans remain protected.

This gathering brought together key stakeholders, including civil society organizations (CSOs), health workers, vulnerable communities , and social workers to raise awareness about the effects of these policies, and to ensure that all stakeholders understand their vital roles in safeguarding health rights for all Ugandans. From the #GlobalGagRule (GGR) to PEPFAR funding freezes, these orders have disrupted essential services such as HIV prevention and treatment, contraception, maternal care, and infectious disease management.

Some of the immediate actions taken by Donald Trump’s administration was to reinstate the Mexico City Policy, commonly known as the Global Gag Rule (#GGR), cutting off over $68 billion in foreign aid that supports critical sexual and reproductive health services, HIV/AIDS programs, and infectious disease treatment worldwide. In Uganda, this has led to halted PEPFAR funding, disrupting HIV prevention and treatment services, restrictions on family planning services, affecting access to contraception and maternal care, increased health risks for marginalized populations, including key populations and young girls.

From a panel discussion with representation from different movements, it was clear that Uganda’s health system is under threat. With Trump’s policies disrupting critical health funding, the civil society in Uganda must come together, strategize, and engage the government and relevant ministries to prioritize essential services such as HIV, TB, Malaria, and family planning.

❝Trump’s policies come at a time when our health system is already struggling. What does it mean when life-saving medication is withdrawn, and jobs are lost? Each of these executive orders has a direct or indirect impact on our lives. We risk seeing a rise in gender-based violence, teenage pregnancies, and unsafe abortions. The challenges we face—both nationally and globally—demand that we unite, raise a collective voice, and critically ask ourselves: Are we prepared to navigate this reality and hold the government accountable?” ~ @Nakibuukam, Deputy Executive Director, CEHURD, speaking at a CSO strategizing meeting in response to Trump’s executive orders.

❝We have a ‘People Living with HIV Forum’ in every district, representing the 1.5 million Ugandans living with HIV. The past two weeks have been incredibly difficult since President Trump issued his first executive order halting U.S. government funding for HIV programs. For the past 22 years, the U.S. government has been a major supporter of HIV funding, contributing about 80% of the total budget. Cutting off this support is essentially a death sentence for the 1.3 million people currently on antiretroviral treatment. As people living with HIV and as CSOs, we are devastated and in shock—this decision was abrupt, and many of our centers have already been asked to shut down. Think about the lives at stake – the people affected, drained, and traumatized. Mothers who have just tested positive, those in labor, and countless others now face an uncertain future without adequate care. We need urgent action. Can we increase the health budget? Establish an emergency fund? As CSOs, we must call on the government and Members of Parliament to prioritize communities and take decisive action if we are to achieve our 2030 goal.❞ ~Executive Director NAFOPHANU @FlaviaKyomukama 

❝We can all learn from the resilience of the HIV community—we must stand together, work in solidarity across movements, and actively engage our government to invest in our well-being. We need to brace ourselves for challenges ahead before things improve. The Trump administration’s patriarchal and misogynistic approach affects us all. With 97% of key populations relying on funding from @PEPFAR or the @GlobalFund, the impact is devastating. The government must step up to ensure that everyone in need of life-saving commodities can access them without stigma or discrimination.” ~ @richardlusimbo, @UKPC_UG founder, speaking during a panel discussion a CSO panel discussion on the impact of Trump’s executive orders.

❝Living with both a disability and HIV presents a double burden, increasing the risk of mental health struggles for both caregivers and those receiving care. Imagine a woman with a disability raising a child with HIV, unable to access life-saving medication, while also facing job loss. This situation brings about self-stigma, isolation, and, in some cases, even death. HIV does not discriminate based on sexual orientation or any other factor. We must redouble our efforts to drive meaningful, sustainable change.❞ ~ Panel submissions during the CSO strategizing meeting in response to the Trump administration’s orders.

❝As the Network of Young People Living with HIV, we have been implementing several projects under PEPFAR and USAID, working closely with various partners and district networks to support young people living with HIV. However, since last week, we’ve received multiple calls from young people and their guardians reporting that they are unable to access health facilities – many have been shut down, leaving them without essential refills. These restrictions on reproductive health and HIV prevention services will inevitably lead to new infections and reinfections among young people. We risk undoing the progress we have made.” ~ @Riobarbie6| ED @UNYPA1, Panel submission during the CSO strategizing meeting in response to the Trump administration’s orders.

❝The U.S. has played a key role in global public health leadership, supporting numerous health programs. However, our work is now under threat due to executive orders issued at a time when we lack a social contract policy that would allow our government to fund us directly. Programs like BMTCT, where we were on the verge of eliminating mother-to-child transmission, are at risk – without urgent intervention, at least 41 children will face new HIV infections daily. As CSOs, our mandate is rooted in the constitution – we complement government efforts and hold it accountable. Yet, it is concerning that much of our work relies on foreign funding, despite directly contributing to government programs.” ~ @MBKeno |@hepsuganda during a CSO panel discussion on the impact of Trump’s executive orders.

Speakers emphasized the urgent need for government action as health facilities close, refills run out, and essential programs like BMTCT face setbacks – threatening to reverse years of progress.