Global Fund Still Short of $18 Billion Target, Uganda Pledges 3M Dollars

The Global Fund has raised14.25 billion dollars at its seventh replenishment conference in New York on Wednesday .

US President Joe Biden, who hosted the conference, said that the Global Fund offered a 31-fold return on investment in terms of health and economic gains in its fight against AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.

However, the fund is still some way short of its 18 billion dollars  target, although the UK and Italy have yet to make their pledges.

Uganda was among several countries to pledge funds at the event, giving USD 3m approximately 11 billion to the Global Fund.

The pledge was made by the Vice President, Jesica Alupo to increase upport for this Replenishment .

“We recognize need to increase support for this Replenishment by at least 30%. I am pleased to announce Uganda’s pledge of USD 3M, an increase of 50% towards required investment,” Alupo said.

Alupo said Uganda is committed to the Global Fund in a bid to end pandemics worldwide

Uganda is among several African countries to be hit hard economically by COVID-19.

The global fund cash totaling to USD 2.3 billion in Grants has been injected into the country periodically to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS, Malaria, TB and the covid 19 pandemic.

The global fund has also seen the reduction of mother-to-child HIV transmission rates from 18% in 2003 to less than 2% in 2021.

Alupo will later today present Uganda’s statement before the United Nations in New York.

Among other African countries that also pledged include; Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania and Togo which all increased their contributions by 30%.

The US has pledged to cover one-third of the Global Fund’s budget target– $6 billion  on condition that every $1 billion it contributes is met by $2 billion from other countries.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced his country pledged $1.6 billion an increase of 300 million Euros over its previous contribution.

Germany’s Olaf Scholz pledged $1.3 billion,while Canada’s Justin Trudeau pledged $1.21 billion.

A range of wealthier countries – including Belgium, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Luxembourg, Portugal and Spain – increased their contributions by 30%.

The European Union also upped its contribution by 30%, pledging 750 million Euros, and declaring support for stronger health systems.