Ugandan social entrepreneur sees opportunity in Trump's aid freeze

US aid freeze: Ugandan social entrepreneur sees opportunity for overhaul

Kazindra and his family, who are behind Musana, a thriving social enterprise in Uganda that employs 700 staff and reaches 60,000 people annually.

KAMPALA – A Ugandan social entrepreneur believes Donald Trump’s decision to freeze foreign aid could be a blessing in disguise, allowing for a long-overdue overhaul of the “outdated” aid system.

Haril Kazindra, co-founder of Musana, a thriving charity that employs 700 staff across Uganda, welcomes the move as a chance for America to rethink its approach to supporting other countries.

**Absa Bank Concludes 'Play Your Cards Right' Campaign, Awards $32,000 in Prizes** **KAMPALA, Uganda** – Absa Bank Uganda has wrapped up its three-month-long "Play Your Cards Right" campaign, awarding a total of 120 million Ugandan shillings (about $32,000) in cash prizes to August and grand finale winners. The campaign, which ran from June to August 2025, distributed prizes to 14 winners across the bank's personal and business banking segments. Four August winners each received 10 million shillings, while two grand finale winners each took home 40 million shillings. The top winners were: * **Retail Banking:** Moses Mugambe, for usage of both personal debit and credit cards. * **Business Banking:** Grace Project International – SMC Limited, for usage of both business debit and credit cards. Additional August winners included Q Sourcing Limited, Marc Anthony Du Toit, Uptown Security Cameras, and Kennedy Ochieno. Speaking at the final prize handover ceremony, Absa Bank Uganda Managing Director David Wandera said the campaign underscored the bank's focus on digital services. He noted a "double-digit growth" in card usage, signaling a shift toward seamless and efficient banking. "We are driven by the need to deliver seamless banking experiences to our customers," Wandera said. "We continue to be more responsive to the changing customers' needs, and we put their needs at the center of everything we do." Moses Rutahigwa, Absa's Retail and Business Banking Director, called the campaign a success, highlighting an increased adoption of card usage among customers. "The future is digital," Rutahigwa said, encouraging customers to continue using their cards for everyday transactions like shopping, travel, and bill payments.

The US State Department this week issued a halt to nearly all existing foreign assistance and paused new aid, according to an internal memo sent to officials and US embassies abroad.

The notice follows President Trump’s executive order issued on Monday for a 90-day pause in foreign development assistance pending a review of efficiencies and consistency with his foreign policy.

The United States is the world’s biggest international aid donor spending $68bn in 2023 according to government figures. The State Department notice appears to affect everything from development assistance to military aid.

Kazindra argues that traditional aid models have created dependency on further funding and failed to empower local communities to lead and thrive on their own. “Africa doesn’t need a hand-out, it needs investment and partnership to bring true change,” he emphasizes.

Musana, which Kazindra founded with his wife Andrea in 2008, serves as a shining example of sustainable development.

The organization runs 19 social enterprises, including schools, hospitals, and hotels, reaching 60,000 people per year. Notably, Musana operates without relying on regular donations, having turned a profit of $500,000 last year, which was reinvested into further expansion.

Kazindra’s vision for a more sustainable and locally-led approach to development aligns with the sentiments of many experts who argue that traditional aid models are in need of reform.

As the Trump administration reviews the efficiency and alignment of USAID’s $50 billion budget with foreign policy, Kazindra’s insights offer a valuable perspective on the potential benefits of a more innovative and collaborative approach to international development.