Uganda's Endangered Crested Crane Faces Threats from Farmers and Habitat Loss

Kizza Besigye, a leading Ugandan opposition figure and four-time presidential candidate, was taken back to a maximum-security prison on Wednesday after appearing in a civilian court, where his health condition raised concerns. Lawyers attempted to secure his release, but a judge found him too frail to follow the proceedings, according to reports from local media. Besigye has been detained since November, leading to growing calls from supporters and human rights groups for improved medical care and his release. His family reported that he began a hunger strike in protest against his continued imprisonment. This came after Uganda's Supreme Court ruled that military tribunals lack jurisdiction over civilians, prompting legal arguments for his immediate release. As Besigye's situation worsens, observers warn that further deterioration could incite unrest in Uganda, where political tensions are high ahead of presidential elections next year. President Yoweri Museveni, in power since 1986, dismissed calls for Besigye's release, citing serious charges against him, including treachery—a charge that carries severe penalties.

The recent halt of foreign aid by the U.S. government, announced by President Donald Trump, has severely impacted healthcare services in Uganda, particularly for individuals living with HIV. Mike Elvis Tusubira, a 35-year-old motorcycle taxi rider, shared that he can no longer access essential medications for himself and his wife, leading to the deterioration of their marriage due to the inability to practice safe sex. According to the BBC, Tusubira and his wife relied on supplies funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which closed programs crucial to their health after the abrupt aid freeze. Uganda, which received $295 million in health funding from USAID in 2023, is among the top recipients of U.S. aid in Africa, and the cutoff threatens to reverse progress in combating HIV. In Malawi, similar shutdowns have halted operations at health clinics and left patients scrambling for care. Experts warn the impacts of this funding interruption could result in an additional 6.3 million AIDS-related deaths globally within the next five years, according to UNAIDS' Winnie Byanyima.

The recent decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to suspend funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) for 90 days has raised concerns about the resurgence of HIV/AIDS in Uganda, where the virus has been significantly controlled since high rates in the 1980s. According to reports, this funding freeze could jeopardize critical healthcare services, especially for those living with HIV, like 23-year-old Penelope Kyarikunda and her son Sheldon, who both rely on antiretroviral medications. While U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio assured that life-saving programs would remain intact, the vagueness of the statements left many in Uganda uncertain about the future of their health services. Currently, USAID has been covering around 80% of Uganda's HIV/AIDS budget, as highlighted by health officials. The former President George W. Bush’s PEPFAR initiative reportedly saved 25 million lives globally, but local social workers, like Bill Ivan Tumwine, worry that the suspension might lead to deteriorating health conditions for patients previously supported by U.S. funding. With the looming possibility of medication shortages, healthcare professionals express deep concern over the long-term implications for Uganda's public health.