UN Laments $65M Funding Slash Impacting Uganda's Refugee Programs

Uganda’s development efforts have suffered a major blow after the UN system lost up to $65 million (approximately Shs240 billion) in previously approved funding. UN Resident Coordinator Leonard Zulu disclosed this during a panel at the Kampala Geopolitics Conference 2026 on April 16.

The withdrawn funds were meant to sustain operations nationwide, especially for the nearly two million refugees Uganda hosts. Critical programs in health, education, water, sanitation, nutrition, and youth development now face disruptions, including school feeding initiatives.

Zulu highlighted the real human impact, questioning how to continue supporting refugees and essential services amid shrinking official development assistance.

Uganda, home to one of the world’s largest refugee populations, relies heavily on donor funding strained by global declines. The UN calls for alternative financing, noting Africa’s vast untapped resources: $1.3 trillion in pension assets, $483 billion in domestic revenue, $427 billion in private savings, $24 billion in sovereign wealth funds, and over $100 billion in annual diaspora remittances.

National Planning Authority’s Dr. Asumani Guloba emphasized Uganda’s push for a tenfold economic expansion under Vision 2040, from $58 billion to $580 billion. Challenges include high debt servicing—about a third of the budget—and an informal economy where the private sector drives 80% of GDP, taxes, and jobs.

Efforts focus on domestic mobilization, improving private sector survival and growth, better banking access for youth entrepreneurs, and fostering investment, with over $5 billion attracted last year.

The conference, hosted by Makerere University with partners like the French Embassy, underscores Africa’s need for self-reliant development strategies.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)