US embassy scales back operations in Uganda amid funding lapse
By Cynthia Lodite, January 31, 2026The United States has scaled back operations at its embassy in Kampala, Uganda, while citing a lapse in funding.
In an official statement by the US Embassy in Uganda on Saturday, January 31, 2026, the Embassy announced that the Official X account will not be updated regularly until full operations resume.
In the meantime, the Embassy has confirmed that only urgent safety and security information will be communicated.
“Due to the lapse in appropriations, this X account will not be updated regularly until full operations resume, with the exception of urgent safety and security information,” US embassy wrote.
Likewise, the US has affirmed that all scheduled passport and visa transit services in the United States and at U.S. Embassies and Consulates overseas will continue during the lapse in appropriations.
“At this time, scheduled passport and visa transit services in the United States and at U.S. Embassies and Consulates overseas will continue during the lapse in appropriations as the situation permits,” the embassy added.
” For information on our services and operating status, visit http://travel.state.gov,” they added.
US sanctions to Uganda
The change came just moments after the United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair issued strict sanctions against Uganda over a now-deleted tweet by the country’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
In his tweet, which was later deleted, Muhoozi accused the US embassy in Uganda of aiding Bobi Wine’s escape.
A statement by the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair shared on X on Saturday, January 31, 2026, explained that Muhoozi had crossed a red line.
According to the Chair, the US will hence reevaluate its security partnership, which includes sanctions and military cooperation with Uganda.
“Commander @mkainerugaba has crossed a red line, and now the U.S. must reevaluate its security partnership, which includes sanctions and military cooperation with Uganda,” the U.S. stated.
On the other hand, the US has dismissed Muhoozi’s apologies, terming them a hollow apology, adding that the US will not tolerate the level of instability and recklessness.
“The president’s son, and likely successor, cannot just delete tweets and issue hollow apologies. The U.S. will not tolerate this level of instability and recklessness when American personnel, U.S. interests, and innocent lives in the region are at stake,” US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair explained.