The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) says it has terminated its Covid-19 cash transfer programme in Uganda.
It explained that the decision to suspend the transfer programme was due to Ugandan government’s indefinite suspension of GiveDirectly, a non-profit organisation that was conducting the programme.
“In light of this indefinite suspension, it is now unlikely that the programme will meet its original objective, which was to prevent Covid-19 related economic backsliding of the most vulnerable Ugandans,” the embassy said in a statement.
“Therefore, we are obligated contractually to terminate the program permanently.”
USAID went on to note that it regrets that those identified to benefit from the programme will not be able to receive the cash transfers.
The Covid-19 cash transfer programme was meant to benefit 120,000 Ugandans who lost livelihoods due to the incidence of coronavirus pandemic.
Beneficiaries of the programme were to receive 100,000 Ugandan shillings ($26; £20) every month for three months.
It is worthwhile to note that Uganda has so far confirmed over 12,700 coronavirus cases with 112 deaths.
