Africa-Press – Uganda. Leaders in Kabale have raised the alarm over the uncertain future of Caritas Uganda, warning that dwindling foreign aid threatens to cripple the Catholic Church’s charitable efforts unless urgent local solutions are found.
Their concern was voiced during Palm Sunday and the climax of the 15th National Caritas Week Celebrations held at Our Lady of Good Shepherd Cathedral on Rushoroza Hill, where delegations from all 19 Catholic dioceses in Uganda gathered to reflect on the organisation’s mission amid mounting financial uncertainty.
Rev Fr Vincent Byaruhanga, director of the Caritas Commission for Kabale Diocese, told the gathering that the organisation is grappling with a funding shortfall triggered by cuts in international support.
“The ban by the Trump administration left the organisation with limited funding, as foreign donations were our major source,” Fr Byaruhanga said, adding that this year’s priority was to establish alternative sources of funding to reduce dependence on external aid.
Caritas Uganda has historically relied on support from international NGOs, partner agencies, and development funds, including Denmark’s DANIDA, the Private Sector Foundation Uganda, and Caritas Internationalis.
But the policy shift that followed President Donald Trump’s return to the White House earlier this year has further squeezed access to foreign funds.
On 20th January 2025, the Trump administration suspended aid to all foreign countries, NGOs, and international contractors, pending a review to determine if such support aligns with “American interests and values.”
Ndorwa East MP Wilfred Niwagaba echoed Fr Byaruhanga’s concern, warning that the loss of US-based donations could derail Caritas’s operations.
“I want to ask the government of Uganda to increase its support and funding to the private sector and replace the funding void faced by Caritas due to the ban on foreign donations,” he said.
Kabale Municipality MP Nicholas Kamara called for a change in mindset among Ugandans, urging citizens to start donating to local organisations like Caritas to safeguard their continuity.
Minister of State for Finance (General Duties), Henry Musasizi, who officiated as guest of honour, urged Ugandan NGOs to prepare for a future without foreign handouts.
“I want to ask Caritas to document their proposal to the government for possible consideration under the private sector support,” he said, encouraging NGOs to seek more self-sustaining avenues.
Caritas leaders say the search for alternative funding has become urgent as the effects of global donor fatigue, shifting geopolitical interests, and economic pressures converge.
Caritas Uganda is the development and humanitarian arm of the Uganda Episcopal Conference, the assembly of Catholic bishops in Uganda.
It works to promote social justice, sustainable development, and emergency relief in line with Catholic social teaching.
The organisation supports vulnerable communities through a range of programmes, including agriculture and food security, health, water and sanitation, education, peacebuilding, and disaster response.
It operates both at national and diocesan levels, coordinating efforts through diocesan Caritas offices across all 19 Catholic dioceses in Uganda.
Caritas Uganda is part of the global Caritas Internationalis network, which includes over 160 Catholic relief, development, and social service organisations worldwide.
Its funding comes from local and international sources, including foreign donors, Catholic partner agencies, development organisations, and individual contributions.
As Uganda faces broader questions around NGO sustainability, the fate of organisations like Caritas may well depend on how fast local support can be mobilised.
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