Uganda has renewed its five-year partnership with GiveDirectly, an international non-profit organisation, to continue delivering direct cash transfers to vulnerable communities, refugees and households affected by disasters. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Office of the Prime Minister Permanent Secretary Alex Kakooza and GiveDirectly Vice President Stella Luk at the ministry's headquarters in Kampala, with Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, Deputy Prime Minister Dr Crispus Kiyonga and Minister for Disaster Preparedness, Relief and Refugees Sam Engola in attendance.
GiveDirectly has been operating in Uganda since 2015, channelling unconditional cash transfers to selected vulnerable households as part of efforts to reduce poverty, aid disaster recovery and support refugees and their host communities. According to GiveDirectly, the organisation has distributed approximately $98 million (about 392 billion Ugandan shillings) across Uganda, reaching communities in Karamoja, disaster-affected areas around Mt Elgon and refugee settlements in Kiryandongo and Nakivale.
At the signing ceremony, Prime Minister Nabbanja praised GiveDirectly's direct and transparent approach. She said beneficiaries had used the money to rebuild homes, establish businesses, pay school fees and recover from disasters, emphasising that the government decided to renew the agreement because of these results. "When you give cash directly to the people, you give them dignity and the power to decide what their families need most," Nabbanja said.
Kakooza said the renewed agreement would strengthen coordination between the government and GiveDirectly to ensure assistance reaches the most vulnerable households in a timely and accountable manner. He noted that direct cash transfers complement government interventions in disaster response, poverty reduction and refugee management. GiveDirectly's Luk reaffirmed the organisation's commitment to Uganda, saying it was "proud of what we have achieved together since 2015, and committed to doing even more in the next five years."
Deputy Prime Minister Kiyonga said the renewed partnership would continue prioritising communities most affected by poverty, natural disasters and displacement. Minister Engola highlighted the importance of cash assistance to households affected by disasters around Mt Elgon and communities hosting refugees, stating that "many families who lost everything to disasters have been able to start again because of this support." The five-year agreement is expected to expand geographical coverage, improve beneficiary targeting and strengthen collaboration between the government, GiveDirectly and local communities.