The Dismantling of USAID and Its Impact on Refugees in Uganda

The Dismantling of USAID and Its Impact on Refugees in Uganda

Dismantling of USAID Impacts Refugees in Uganda World- English - 日本語 - 简体字 - 繁體字 - Français - Español - العربية - Русский Uganda’s Helping Hands

In January 2025, shortly after beginning his second administration, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the dismantling of the United States Agency for International Development, the national body responsible for foreign assistance. As a result, numerous aid projects around the world were forced to halt operations and withdraw at once; according to one tracking site, more than 250,000 aid workers also lost their jobs.

In January 2025, shortly after the commencement of his second administration, US President Donald Trump announced that the US Agency for International Development, the national foreign aid agency, would be dismantled. This forced the immediate cessation and exit of numerous aid projects worldwide, simultaneously leaving over 250,000 aid workers unemployed, according to one tracking website.

For the many people who had depended on USAID support, the decision put life itself at risk. The same is true in the Republic of Uganda, where I run a business. Uganda, which by some publicly available figures was the fifth-largest recipient of USAID assistance in the world, is now feeling devastating effects across the country.

For the many people who rely on support from USAID, the move left their very lives in jeopardy. This has also been the case in the Republic of Uganda, where I operate a business. Uganda, which according to some publicly available figures was the fifth largest recipient of USAID support worldwide, is experiencing devastating impacts nationwide.

Uganda receives an enormous amount of aid because it hosts a large refugee population.

Uganda receives tremendous levels of aid due to the large number of refugees within its borders.

Before the current president, Yoweri Museveni, took office in 1986, Uganda endured years of turmoil, and many Ugandans sought refuge abroad. Today, in gratitude for the kindness once shown to its own people, the Museveni administration accepts refugees from neighboring countries. As a result, Uganda now hosts roughly 1.9 million refugees from places including South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Eritrea.

Before the current Ugandan president, Yoweri Museveni, was sworn into office in 1986, the country suffered years of upheaval, with many Ugandans seeking refuge abroad. The Museveni administration now accepts refugees from neighboring countries out of gratitude for their past kindness. Consequently, Uganda now hosts roughly 1.9 million refugees from countries including South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Eritrea.

That number is far beyond the scale of Japan’s refugee intake. Moreover, Uganda maintains an “open-door policy” that grants refugees rights equivalent to those of citizens. The government provides them with land to encourage settlement and guarantees the minimum rights necessary to live in the country. Refugees are permitted freedom of movement and the right to work, and their children are given access to education.

This is far in excess of Japan’s refugee intake. Furthermore, Uganda has an “open-door policy” that affords refugees the same rights as citizens. The government grants them with land to encourage residency, and guarantees the minimum rights required to live in the country. It allows refugees freedom of movement and the right to work, and provides education for their children.

Foreign Aid as a LifelineForeign Aid as a Lifeline

Yet Uganda cannot sustain this support on its own. The dismantling of USAID has therefore had a major impact on both the government and refugees. Most conspicuously, the Ugandan government immediately suspended the provision of cash coupons. Until then, refugees had received monthly coupons worth 28,000 Ugandan shillings, or about 1,200 yen. Many families that relied on this support have now been forced to get by on a single meal a day, unable to send their children to school or receive medical care. Some refugees from South Sudan have given up on life in Uganda and returned to their homeland, despite the political instability there.

But the country cannot provide this support unaided. Consequently, the dismantling of USAID significantly impacts the government and refugees. Most notably, the Ugandan government immediately halted the provision of monetary coupons. Previously, refugees received coupons each month worth 28,000 Ugandan shillings (approximately ¥1,200). Many families who relied on this support are now forced to survive on one meal a day, and are unable to send their children to school or receive medical treatment. Some refugees from South Sudan have forsaken life in Uganda, returning to their homeland, despite political instability there.

The company I run, Ricci Everyday, is currently carrying out a project through a consortium with the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, UN Women, and the international NGO Peace Winds Japan. The project provides work experience to South Sudanese refugees living in northern Uganda and to members of the local community. By teaching them more advanced sewing techniques and marketing knowledge, we aim to equip them to sell their products not only in local markets but also in the capital and overseas. The project draws on the experience we have accumulated in supporting refugees.

The company I manage, Ricci Everyday, currently operates a project through a consortium involving the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) and the international NGO Peace Winds Japan. It provides work experience for South Sudanese refugees living in northern Uganda and members of the local community. By giving them more advanced sewing skills and marketing knowledge, we aim to equip them to sell products not only at local markets, but also in the national capital and globally. The project applies our accumulated experience for assisting refugees.

Sewing and handicrafts differ fundamentally from other industries. Materials are easy to procure, and little initial investment is required. For refugees with limited capital, this lowers the barrier to starting a business. The work is labor-intensive, and the finished product has a visible, tangible form, which brings a sense of accomplishment. Moreover, sewing and handicraft skills can generate high returns, making them an effective means of securing a livelihood.

Sewing and handicrafts fundamentally differ from other industries. Materials are easy to obtain, and require minimal initial investment. For refugees with little funding, this lowers the barrier for entry into business. The work is labor-intensive and the finished product is tangible, which gives a sense of satisfaction. Furthermore, sewing and handicraft skills can secure high returns, providing an effective means to secure a living.

The acquisition of craftsmanship also brings other benefits to refugees.

The establishment of craftsmanship provides other benefits for refugees.

Learning a skill can open a path to economic independence. Beyond that, making things by hand and receiving positive feedback from customers can help restore a person’s confidence. When refugees earn income and interact with the local community, social cohesion is strengthened. Working with one’s hands also contributes to better mental health.

Acquisition of skills can offer a path to financial independence, and in addition, creating items by hand and gaining positive customer feedback can help renew self-confidence. When refugees gain an income and engage with the local community, it enhances social cohesion. Working with one’s hands also improves mental health.

Finally, making use of traditional artistry tied to people’s roots helps them preserve and strengthen their identity even while separated from their homeland. Handicraft is not merely “work.” I believe it is a simple but powerful means of enabling refugees to live with dignity.

Finally, leveraging traditional artistry connected to people’s roots helps individuals to preserve and strengthen their identity despite being separated from their homeland. Handicraft is more than simply “work.” I believe it is a simple yet powerful means to enable refugees to live with dignity.