HIV advocates have appealed to parliament to approve emergency funds of over 2 billion to address the gap created by the withdrawal of funds from HIV/AIDS agencies by the United States.

They have also requested an additional 300 million to support service delivery for people living with HIV/AIDS, a service that was previously provided by the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.

At parliament today, the parliamentary health committee hosted a meeting with the HIV/AIDS agencies to discuss the issue of the President Donald Trump’s suspension of US aid in the field of HIV/AIDS to countries including Uganda.

During the discussion, it was revealed that funding from the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) supported, among other things, the payment of 4,333 clinical workers in 2,000 areas, as well as 16,690 community health workers and lay workers across 2,000 health facilities in the country. The Director of Planning and Strategic Information at the Uganda AIDS Commission (UAC) therefore called for funding of over 300 million to cover the functions previously supported by PEPFAR.

HIV advocates also tabled their need for parliament to approve emergency funds of over 2 billion to bridge the gap created by the funds withdrawn from HIV/AIDS agencies by the US.

Responding to the request, MPs acknowledged the need however, decrying the continued disbursement of moneys to unworthy investments and corruption that is robbing the country of development.

This withdraw of funds continues to cause disruption and uncertainty on way forward for HIV care programmes in Uganda.