The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Marks 60 Years of Partnership with Uganda
Kampala, Uganda, March 30, 2023 – The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) celebrated 60 years of partnership with the Ugandan people at a dynamic event showcasing the impact of its work with partners over six decades.
On November 3, 1961, U.S. President John F. Kennedy recognized the need to unite U.S. government development efforts into a single agency responsible for administering aid to foreign countries to promote social and economic development. Less than a year later, USAID began to work with the newly independent Uganda.
“As we mark the achievements of USAID programs in Uganda over 60 years expanding economic growth, trade and investment, improving health and education, and government accountability, we recognize challenges ahead and re-commit to work towards a brighter future, together,” U.S. Ambassador Natalie E. Brown said.
Over the decades, USAID has worked in close collaboration with the government and the people of Uganda, investing in health, education, and agriculture—areas that continue to be the foundation of its present-day work. USAID works with partners in government, civil society, and private and non-governmental sectors to ensure that all Ugandans from all corners of the country, from all walks of life have opportunities to reach their full potential and contribute meaningfully to their country’s development.
“We’re not here to do development work for development’s sake. USAID is here to advance and strengthen the enduring partnership between the United States and Uganda. We’re here to help Uganda achieve its ambitions set forth in the Vision 2040. We’re here to see the partnership between our two countries mature into one that’s based on trade and shared global policy priorities,” USAID Mission Director Richard Nelson said.
The event featured information booths highlighting USAID program impact in the following areas: Refugee and Disaster Assistance, Civil Society and Citizen Engagement, Youth and Education; Agribusiness, Trade, and Investment; Nutrition; Wildlife and Biodiversity; Family Health; Malaria, HIV & TB, Northern Uganda Recovery; and Domestic Revenue Mobilization and Accountability.
Examples of key USAID program impact include:
- Early grade reading efforts since 2010 have benefited 3.2 million schoolchildren in 10,000 schools, with participating learners showing to be three times more likely to be able to read sixty words per minute.
- The Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC), received the first USAID/U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) grant, allowing it to become a pioneer for expanding access to antiretroviral therapy, saving the lives of hundreds of thousands. During the first round of the grant alone, more than 100,000 Ugandans began this life-saving treatment. Today, 1.3 million Ugandans receive ARV treatment provided by the United States.
- Participating in the establishment of the National Agriculture Research Organization (NARO), and helping NARO develop and disseminate 30 different crop varieties throughout Uganda, expanding economic opportunity and food security for millions.
Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, former Prime Minister and Special Envoy for Special Duties, Office of the President, was the chief guest at the commemorative event, and he shared experiences of working with USAID over the years.
For more information on U.S. development initiatives in Uganda, read the 2022 edition of the Report to the Ugandan People, which tells the story of the United States’ enduring 60-year partnership with the Ugandan people, focused on the impact of our work to increase economic growth, improve health and education, strengthen regional security, and promote democratic values. The United States is a proven partner Uganda can depend upon.
For additional information, please contact:
Dorothy Nanyonga, Information Assistant
U.S. Mission Uganda, Cell: 0772-138-194, Email: KampalaPress@state.gov
