The Trump administration’s 90-day freeze on USAID funding, followed by “He[Trump] agreed we should shut it[USAID] down,” from the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency—under X owner Elon Musk—has ignited widespread worldwide. Musk, known for his blunt takes and viral memes, has repeatedly called out USAID for alleged corruption, prompting the agency to shut down its website and effectively suspend operations, leaving employees in uncertainty.
In Africa, and Uganda in particular, the conversation around USAID funds has intensified. Many medical workers, doctors, contractors, and NGOs that relied heavily on USAID funding now face an uncertain future. Some organisations have already shut down, while others are scrambling to find alternative funding sources or employment opportunities.
At the heart of this debate is a viral TikTok video by Janice Nkajja, according to her online profiles, an award-winning speaker, founder, and anti-corruption activist. Her 1-minute, 38-second clip, which aired on Fox News, delivers a blunt critique of Uganda’s reliance on foreign aid:
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 4, 2025
“We have depended on US aid for over 60 years, and the moment the owners of the money say, ‘Let’s take a 90-day pause to audit where my money is going,’ suddenly the whole country goes into a frenzy. This should be a moment of reflection for Uganda and the African continent in general. We have been asking for a very long time to be liberated from colonialism, neocolonialism, and now that the opportunity presents itself, for some reason, we are complaining.
Let’s get something straight: often the money given to us in foreign aid is lost to corruption and misuse, depleted in overrated salaries to particular individuals, or sometimes we lose billions of dollars that are unaccounted for. So, it only makes sense that the donor is asking for an audit, and if that means pausing the amount of money coming in, they should.
I do understand the implications of this pause because so many heavily funded healthcare projects run on US aid, but that should be a moment of reflection. This is just a 90-day pause—what would happen if the United States said, ‘We’re not giving you money anymore’? And within their rights, they can do that, because it is their money.
It’s high time Uganda and the African continent got themselves together and actually started looking for systems that are sustainable and not always depend on foreign aid. We are struggling with debt; on top of that, we have constant aid, which doesn’t necessarily help us develop a more independent system. Instead of writing paragraphs of why this is a bad move, we should realize that, oh, we’re actually in a bad situation and we cannot always depend on aid, because it can go any day.
African nations should wake up. Uganda should wake up because this is not even funny.” – Janice Nkajja on TikTok.
Elon Musk amplified this message by sharing Nkajja’s clip on his X (formerly Twitter) handle. Many interpret this as his commentary on Uganda and other nations involved in financial mismanagement with USAID funds. His repeated posts have already labelled USAID as a corrupt organisation.
“USAID is a criminal organization. Time for it to die.” Elon Musk on X
The USAID freeze has exposed deep-seated issues regarding aid dependency and financial accountability, leaving African nations at a crossroads. With USAID on pause, the pressure is on for Uganda and other recipients to develop sustainable, independent economic systems before another financial shock forces an even harsher reckoning.
Compiled by Isaac Odwako O
