CNN 5 Things One Thing: The Real-Life Impact of DOGE’s Cuts
Feb 9, 2025
Teddy Ruge, founder of Raintree Farms in Uganda, and Brian Aliganyira, director of ARC Wellness Hub, dive into the real-life impacts of U.S. foreign aid cuts. They discuss how these cuts, spurred by political decisions, have devastating effects on local economies and vital healthcare for vulnerable communities, particularly the LGBTQ population in Uganda. The conversation highlights the struggles against Uganda's anti-gay laws and the urgent need for sustainable solutions in the face of adversity, emphasizing resilience and the human cost of policy changes.
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USAID's Impact in Uganda
- Teddy Ruge's Raintree Farms partnered with USAID to employ farmers, reducing deforestation.
- The aid pause halted the project, impacting 250 farmers and 10 staffers.
USAID's Impact on US Businesses
- Ruge highlights USAID's impact on US businesses.
- Kuli Kuli, a California-based moringa supplement company, faces delays due to the aid freeze.
Targeted for LGBTQ+ Advocacy
- Brian Aliganyira, who runs an LGBTQ+ health clinic in Uganda, shared his experience of being run off the road.
- He believes he was targeted due to his work.