The relationship between the government of Uganda and the United States of America dates back more than 60 years following Uganda’s independence in 1962. After independence, Uganda went through a series of political and economic challenges, such as the ‘Kabaka Crisis’ of 1966, which led to the collapse of the independence government and suspension of the constitution (Karugire, 1980). The tensions surrounding these events threatened to strain Uganda’s relationship with foreign countries, including the U.S.
The first strain in relations between the two countries happened in the 70s during Amin’s regime. On November 10, 1973, the American Embassy in Kampala was closed following allegations of persistent internal security problems, operating difficulties for American programs and personnel, repeated public threats against Embassy officials and other Americans by Ugandan officials, and the abrupt expulsion of the U.S. Marine Security Guard that protected the Embassy (U.S Department of State, 2025). Despite these tensions, diplomatic relations between the two countries continued, although Washington continued to express its concerns over Uganda’s human rights record through the 70s and 80s.
Bilateral relations between Uganda and the U.S improved from 1986 after Yoweri Museveni the new President then, expressed willingness to address human rights abuses and implement mutually beneficial economic policies. Since then, the two countries have cooperated on various projects.
U.S assistance to Uganda has prioritized the following sectors: the military, health, education and agriculture. Through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Centers for Disease Control, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of State, and Peace Corps, major interventions such as the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) have supported Uganda in its fight against HIV (U.S. Embassy in Uganda). According to African Business website, in 2022, the US provided over $950m in health and development assistance and had by that year provided anti-retroviral treatment, crucial for fighting HIV/AIDS, to more than 1.2m Ugandans. The Department of State has also been instrumental in supporting cultural and educational exchange programs through Fulbright scholarships.
The United States government has also supported export-led economic growth through programs like the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) while also providing development assistance.
As of 2024, the U.S had provided more than $471 million in health and development assistance to Uganda, in addition to nearly $182 million in humanitarian assistance (The U.S department of State, 2025). The American government continues to support health by facilitating interventions against diseases like tuberculosis (TB), malaria, maternal/child health, family planning, and HIV/AIDS. Interventions also remain in place to boost economic growth and agricultural productivity, democratic governance, tax collection, oil revenue management and capacity building for the armed forces engaged in peace keeping(ibid).
On its part, Uganda has supported the U.S. in its efforts to curb terrorism by committing troops to fight Al-Shabab insurgents in Somalia and rebels in other countries such as Sudan, South Sudan, Rwanda and Congo (Clynch, 2023; U.S. Department of State, 2025; Columbia Global Reports).
Sometimes relations between the two countries have suffered fractures. For instance, in 2014, the Obama administration cut funding to Uganda following the Uganda government’s decision to outlaw homosexuality. The passing of the Anti-Homosexuality Act of 2023 further complicated relations between the two countries. In May 2023, President Joe Biden criticized the passing of this law, calling it a “tragic violation of universal human rights” (Clynch, 2023).
The U.S. government also recently expressed concerns over the deteriorating human rights and democratic situation in the country in relation to the violent treatment of opposition politicians and internet shutdowns during 2021 presidential election. Subsequently, Anthony J. Blinken, the U.S. Secretary of State announced a visa restriction policy against government officials involved in election malpractices and violence. In December 2023, the U.S extended visa restrictions against officials responsible for enacting the anti-homosexuality laws (U.S. Embassy in Uganda, 2023).
Conclusion: From the foregoing, we can say that although Uganda’s relations with the U.S. have sometimes been confrontational, they are predominantly one of Corporation.
References
Clynch, E. (2023, Sept. 8). Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act endangers relations with US. African Business. https://african.business/2023/09/politics/ugandas-relations-with-west-deteriorate-in-wake-of-anti-homosexuality-act
Columbia Global Report. Another Fine Mess: America, Uganda, and the war on terror. https://globalreports.columbia.edu/books/another-fine-mess/
Karugire, S. R. (2010). A political history of Uganda.
U.S. Department of State. (2025, January 22). U.S. Relations with Uganda: bilateral relations factsheet. U.S Department of State. https://www.state.gov/u-s-relations-with-uganda/#:~:text=Uganda%20has%20been%20a%20partner,ISIS%2Daffiliated%20Allied%20Democratic%20Forces%20
U.S. Embassy in Uganda. (2023, December 4). Taking steps to impose visa restrictions for undermining democracy and for repression in Uganda. U.S. Embassy in Uganda. https://ug.usembassy.gov/taking-steps-to-impose-visa-restrictions-for-undermining-democracy-and-for-repression-in-uganda/#:~:text=Today%2C%20I%20am%20announcing%20the,members%20of%20marginalized%20or%20vulnerable