“Passport to Purpose” is a planned GlobalGiving fundraising campaign, 8^th to 12^th September 2025, intended to enable its partner organisations, such as CPAR Uganda, in countries that are impacted the most by the sudden and speedy closure of USAID to raise alternative funds for the benefit of affected communities that they serve.

This fabulous initiative got us, at CPAR Uganda, to consciously reflect on the status quo. And to ask: can we be apart of it? How so?

We recall the findings of our CPAR Uganda investigation into tuberculosis (TB). Including, the fact that the people of the United States, through USAID, were among the biggest financiers or donors, if you will, for TB diagnostic services countrywide.

For more context, read: “Kabale District receives mobile digital x-ray machine to boost TB detection.”

And even then, access to diagnostic services was still significantly inadequate in Uganda. Meaning, there are thousands of presumptive TB cases on the loose living within their communities. Many untested and undiagnosed; and others tested but waiting long periods for results.

Contextualize that TB is an airborne disease, it is no wonder, Uganda is among high TB burden countries – a country in which 90,000 people contract TB annually, it is reported.

Following halting of USAID support, it is feasible the situation is worse and that millions of Ugandans and others non-Ugandan living in Uganda are at a high risk of contracting TB annually; and dying from this preventable disease.

A “Report on the impact of US Government funding halt in high TB burden countries,” indeed, gives insight into the worst to come, because of activities halted due to funding gaps caused by USAID closure:

• Delay x-ray machine installation and training, as competing priorities may hinder the government’s efforts to secure alternative funding, potentially impacting diagnostic capacity and timely treatment initiation.

• Stockouts, with a GeneXpert cartridge shortage expected in May 2025, while TrueNat cartridges and medicines for 3HP preventative treatment are already out of stock at the central level.

• Specimen transport reliant on PEPFAR has been disrupted, and the National Medical Stores (NMS) cannot distribute USAID supplies.

• Patient data collection disrupted, with the National TB and Leprosy Program NTPL expecting up to 50% underreporting.

• Impact the redistribution of medicine between facilities and the collection of emergency orders, further affecting supply chain efficiency.

• The support of two USAID-funded advisors for PSM, DR-TB programmatic management and all Global Fund activities has stopped.

Source: Stop TB, March 2025.

It is against this background that CPAR Uganda will definitely participate in the GlobalGiving “Passport to Purpose” matching funds campaign. According to GlobalGiving, it has received a generous donation which has enabled it to allocate US$ 150,000 in matching funds for the campaign.

All funds that its partner organisations, such as CPAR Uganda, will raise during the five-day campaign GlobalGiving will proportionally match, so that all partner organisations which receive donations during the campaign, will get a part of the matching funds.

CPAR Uganda is grateful to GlobalGiving for this opportunity. Let the planning begin!

We invite you visit our GlobalGiving Profile here