Cholera caused by poor sanitation
Persistent outbreaks of cholera in Kasese District have been blamed on poor hand-washing practices and bad eating habits. This was noted at a one-day advocacy meeting for district councillors on water and sanitation held in Kasese Catholic Social Hall on 01 October 2009.
Presenting a latrine coverage and hand-washing situational analysis in Kasese, the district health inspector also the disease surveillance officer, Ericana Bwambale, said washing hands among the people of Kasese ranged from 17% to 34%. He named the sub-counties where people rarely wash their hands as Muhokya with 17%, followed by Kitswamba at 18% and Rukoki at 20%.
He said Kyabarungira Sub-county has the lowest latrine coverage at 57%, followed by Rukoki at 60% and Kisinga at 65%. Kyondo Sub-county had the highest latrine coverage of 88%, followed by Maliba Sub-county at 87%.
He said the majority of the people in Kasese eat whatever food they come across without considering its cleanliness. Since March [2009], 500 cases of cholera have been reported in Kasese with about 10 deaths. The Busongora County health inspector, Steven Bagonza, said cholera cases have been reported in all the four constituencies in the district.
The district councillors on the technical and social services committee blamed the sub-county health assistants for the deteriorating health conditions in the district. They said health workers were not sensitising the community on the need to improve sanitation and hygiene in their homes.
The head of the district technical and social services committee, Mustafa Kikusa, said all the sub-county health assistants should be summoned before the district committee and explain why they are failing to do their work. He noted that the Government was doing all it could to improve people’s standards of living but was being frustrated by civil servants who are failing to deliver as expected.
During the meeting, it was reported that people of Kasese were feeding on animal offals and fish skeletons from Kampala that have some times compromised the health of the people. The furious councillors promised to move a motion to ban the sale of offals and skeleton fish in the district, saying they were unhygienic and partly responsible for the deteriorating health conditions.
However, some councillors on the committee, especially women said that they would block the motion if brought to council, adding that majority of the people in the district were surviving on offals and fish skeletons because they were cheap and some people cannot afford meat. Instead better an initiative to improve the livelyhood of the general public needs to be promoted
Source: Bernard Masereka, New Vision / allAfrica.com, 03 Oct 2009
Kasese Deputy RDC on HIV/AIDSThe Deputy Resident District Commissioner, Kasese, has challenged orgnisations dealing with HIV/AIDS to fight stigma, rejection and discrimination that is being inflicted on people living with the disease."HIV/AIDS should be fought with mercy, love and pity for the infected and affected persons," he said.
Isingoma was recently closing a two-day HIV/AIDS annual partnership forum organised by Kasese district and funded by the Ministry of Local Government in conjunction with the Uganda AIDS Commission. The partnership forum took place at Virina Gardens in Kasese town and drew participants from local government, the civil society and the private sector.
Isingoma challenged the participants to strengthen partnership for service providers to address the scourge of HIV/AIDS. The main facilitator from the Uganda AIDS Commission, who is also the District Health Officer, Kisoro, Dr Assay Ndizihiwe, reported that medical male circumcision reduces the risk of contracting HIV.
"Uncircumcised men are partly responsible for the increasing cases of cervical cancer among women. According to the Kasese Distinct HIV/AIDS Focal Person, John Thawite, the HIV/AIDS prevalence in Kasese district stands at 11.2% from testing sites in the district.
Thawite said though Kasese belongs to the western region whose general prevalence is 6.9%, there is need for a district-specific sero-prevalence survey to ascertain the specifics of the HIV infections. He said the forum was organised to strengthen partnership in the fight against the pandemic adding that the fight was the responsibility of every stakeholder regardless of region, race, sex, political or religious inclination.
Source: Kasese District News Wire, Oct 2009Primary school girls defiled
Nine pupils have been defiled in Kasese district. “Nine girls in my school have been defiled and are now pregnant. Three of them are supposed to sit for their Primary Leaving Examinations in November,” J. Musungwe, the head teacher of Nyakabale Primary School in Bwera sub-county, said in a report of October 23, 2009.
The report was addressed to the district inspector of schools, George Mayinja, and copied to the African Network for the Prevention and Protection Against Child Abuse and Neglect. “I appeal to the Police to handle these cases and ensure that the culprits are brought to book,” Musungwe said.
A retired head teacher, Nyamayaro Kiyonga, said: “During our times, a teacher found befriending his pupils for sex would have his licence cancelled without question.” Mayinja called on school-founding bodies to enforce disciplinary measures on teachers found guilty of defilement. “The foundation bodies started schools, but expect the Government to do everything for them.” Mayinja also warned that he would close schools that lack sanitary facilities, citing St. Aloysius Primary School, which lacks latrines despite having over 500 students.
Reported by John Nzinjah Source: Newvision October 27,2009
The Ministry of Health
in collaboration with key stakeholders has organized the third annual National Paediatric HIV/Aids conference in Kampala to take place at Hotel Africana from November 25th to 27th 2009. The conference will run under the theme, ‘Accelerating access to HIV Prevention, care and treatment for children.’
The Ministry of Health has called upon Ugandans to submit abstracts for presentation during the conference in the following subthematic areas: Prevention of mother to child HIV transmission, HIV care and Treatment, opportunistic infections and psychosocial issues among others.
For more information contact the Ministry of Health by email:info@health.go.ugThe eight Millennium Development Goals – which range from halving extreme poverty to halting the spread of HIV/AIDS and providing universal primary education, all by the target date of 2015 – form a blueprint agreed to by all the world’s countries and all the world’s leading development institutions. They have galvanized unprecedented efforts to meet the needs of the world’s poorest. Uganda is one of those countries and needs your help to achieve each of the goals
- Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger - Halve, between 1990 and 2015, the proportion of people whose income is less than one dollar a day. Halve, between 1990 and 2015, the proportion of people who suffer from Hunger
- Achieve universal primary education - Ensure that, by 2015, children everywhere, boys and girls alike, will be able to complete a full course of primary schooling
- Promote gender equality and empower women - Eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education, preferably by 2005, and to all levels of education no later than 2015
- Reduce child mortality - Reduce by two thirds, between 1990 and 2015, the under-five mortality rate
- Improve maternal health - Reduce by three quarters, between 1990 and 2015, the maternal mortality ratio
- Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases - Have halted by 2015 and begun to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS, Have halted by 2015 and begun to reverse the incidence of malaria and other major diseases
- Ensure environmental sustainability - Integrate the principles of sustainable development into country policies and programmes and reverse the loss of environmental resources, Halve by 2015 the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water, By 2020 to have achieved a significant improvement in the lives of at least 100 million slum dwellers
- Develop a global partnership for development - Address the special needs of landlocked countries and small island developing States, Deal comprehensively with the debt problems of developing countries through national and international measures in order to make debt sustainable in the long term, In cooperation with developing countries, develop and implement strategies for decent and productive work for youth, In cooperation with the private sector, make available the benefits of new technologies, especially information and communications
Education News
Oct 28, 2009 (The Monitor/All Africa Global Media via COMTEX) -- Although Nigeria recently joined and won the prestigious Zain Africa University challenge, Kenyan universities won in 2007, 2008 and another reached the finals this year. Kenya's teams have had an edge over Uganda.
The content of the television quiz questions brought to the fore the student's exceptional knowledge in a wide range of subjects including History, Geography, Science, Mathematics, Politics, Entertainment, Literature and all known fields of human endeavour.
The million dollar question is: 'What is the secret behind the Kenyan student's roller-coaster success in the brain game?' The answer seems to lie in the width and breadth of the Kenyan educational system popularly known as the 8-4-4 which is a departure from the Ugandan 7-4-2-3 inherited from the British. The 8-4-4 is a rigorous educational system that comprises eight years of primary school, four years of secondary school and four years of University. The Kenyan educational system is so rigorous that it is part of the reason, cost aside, why many parents send their children to attend secondary and high school in Uganda.
A recent media report underlines that students from the winning countries have a wide reading culture and I wish to submit that the Kenyan educational system seems to widen the student's scope of academic, social and practical realities. The Kenyan educational system is able to produce broad-minded, informed and 'aggressive' students as opposed to Ugandan students whose educational system encourages the 'compartmentalization' of knowledge right from an early stage.
Conversely, Kenyan students cannot afford to specialise early enough since they have to contend with a wide array of subjects throughout their primary and secondary education thus being exposed to rich multi-disciplinary studies. The Kenyan philosophy to education is common in the western world whereby students have a multi-disciplinary approach to learning. For example, a first year University student may offer Biology, Literature and Art; only later to pursue either Medicine, or, Bachelor of Laws.
The rationale of this educational approach is that a good lawyer must have good knowledge of Mathematics or Science, and similarly, a good doctor should have good knowledge of Literature, Art and other related subjects. The education philosophy of multi-disciplinary knowledge has started to creep into Uganda such as at Uganda Christian University, Mukono whereby University students, irrespective of academic or professional programme, are expected to pursue an element of Mathematics, Health and Wholeness among other foundation courses.
In most countries of the western world, a philosophy of 'all-round' education is reflected in the dictum: 'Before retiring, one should at least go through three careers', an indication that gone are the days when people should prepare for only one career in life. The implication of such thinking for Uganda's educational system is that there is a need to consider reviewing our educational system to address the modern and versatile job market which is anachronistic to specialisation.
Despite Ugandans priding themselves in their education system, the Kenyan educational system seems to have an edge as evidenced by the brain power exhibited during the quiz show. There is no progressive company or organization that may not love to employ any of the students who made us watch in amazement as they racked their brains before responding to any subject under the face of the earth.
The fact that the Nigerian University of Ibadan scooped the Shs100m cash prize, Shs10m each for the contestants and Kenyatta University bagged Shs70m is not the major point of 'sorrow'. The said fact is that our educational system seems to produce robot like and automated students who cannot 'think outside the box'.
The writer is senior lecturer at Uganda Christian University, Mukono
Dr Kiyonga praised President Museveni over Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu
The Minister of Defence, Dr. Cripus Kiyonga, praised President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda on the decision he made to recognize Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu, on October 19, 2009, at the Kilembe Mines Golf Course, in Kasese Town Council. Dr. Kiyonga who was the leader of anti-obusinga group between 1986 and 2007, hailed president Museveni to be a man of independent mind, who does not depend on others to do what is right. Dr. Kiyonga, who has been a minister in the NRM government, since its inception, in various capacities including such portfolios as Produce and Marketing, finance, health, internal affairs and defence told the congregation that he had done his best to influence President Museveni against recognizing Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu, but the President made his own independent investigations that made him decide that it was the people’s wish to have Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu recognized.
The Minister, made a public apology to the president for having caused confusion in the District by blocking the recognition of the monarchy in the region for a long time. The minister also hailed the leaders of Kabarole, Bundibugyo, Kyenjojo, Kibale and Kamwenge Districts for attending the 43rd Anniversary of King Mumbere’s coronation. He said that their attendance was a sign of unity and development in the Rwenzori region.
In the year 2007, Dr. Kiyonga decided to join the group that support Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu and put an end to political conflicting situations in Kasese District and the mountain areas of Bundibugyo and Kabarole where the Bakonzo people reside. He took it to himself to convince his minority supporters to also support the recognition of Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu. It was a hard task, but he manage to make it.
Earlier in the year, in the Buhikira Palace, Dr. Kiyonga had referred to himself as the Biblical Saul who persecuted the infant Christian Church and became Paul after meeting with Jesus Christ on the Damascus road and became one of the greatest advocates of Christianity. This indicated that Dr. Kiyonga is now dedicated to support the Rwenzururu Mornarchy despite his former stand against it.
From the time Dr. Kiyonga decided to support the monarchy King Mumbere has always referred to him in public as a friend. He has always told people not look at Dr. as an enemy but as a very close friend of Omusinga and Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu.
70 Employees suspended
The Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) has suspended 70 of its employees over alleged bribery and extortion. Daily Monitor has reliably learnt that the employees are attached to five weigh bridges across the country. They are alleged to have been extorting money from heavy truck drivers who over load their trucks, instead of fining them. The weigh bridges at Busitema, Iganga, Lukaya,Mbarara, Luweero and Mubende were intended to control over loading to ensure road durability. The employees who were supposed to work for 24 hours are also alleged to have abandoned duty at night, allowing banned four axle trucks to use roads. Uganda is currently using three axle trucks to minimise road damage, according to government policy.
Mr Dan Alinange, the corporate communication officer at UNRA confirmed the suspension on Saturday and said a commission has been set up to look into the allegations. “We are investigating cases of corruption and extortion at six of the bridges,” Mr Alinange said. The commission of inquiry that was instituted by the Minister of Works and Transport, Eng. John Nasasira, is to commence its work today. The eight member committee chaired by Prof. Opio Epelu will interview staff in all the weigh bridge stations and they are expected to submit their report by December. Mr Alinange also announced the opening of the Jinja-Bugiri Highway, five years since construction started.
Mr Alinange said the 73 kilometre road will enable easy transportation of goods from the Kenyan coast to Kampala and neighbouring countries. It was constructed by Reynolds Construction Company Limited at a cost of Shs114 billion European Union grant. “The public can use the road. Official handover by the contractor will be in early December,” Mr Alimange said. He said the construction works for Bugiri-Malaba and Busia roads have already been awarded to contractors.
President Museveni recently warned that there would be harsh reform to curb corruption among civil servants and government officials
Tech & Science News
Fusce sollicitudin nisl a lectus. Pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et malesuada fames ac turpis egestas. Full Story
Uganda Cancer Institute
The government of the United States of America has donated 500,000 US dollars (approximately 950 million shillings) to Uganda Cancer Institute, Mulago. The donation which was made through the United States Agency for International Development is intended for the construction of a new cancer clinic oa Mulago Hospital.
Dr Jackson Orem, Director of Uganda Cancer Institute who received the money on behalf of the Institute says the new cancer clinic to be built will improve on the service delivery of the institute. He also says the Ministry of Health in Uganda has pledged to renovate the existing buildings of the institute.
Improved sanitation prevents Cholera
Authorities in KASESE district are advocating for residents to build pit latrines as means to curb the spread of cholera. While speaking at a district health rapid response taskforce meeting in Rukoki The district secretary for health, Rehema Muhindo, said the latrine coverage in the district was 75%.
The operation which will be led by Mr Fred Karim, the district health inspector will start with inspection of Kasese, Hima, Katwe- Kabatoro and Mpondwe- Lhubiruha and then sub-counties will be visited next. Karim attributed the persistent cholera outbreak to lack of clean and safe water in the district.
It is not uncommon for people to drink contaminated water from deep shaft wells, rivers and lakes without boiling it. According to records at the district health office, there have been 523 reported cases with a fatality of 10 deaths within Kasese district alone since March.
Reported by Micheal Karugaba Source: Newvision October 7,2009Call for national policy on sickle-cell
PEOPLE suffering from sickle-cell anaemia have petitioned Parliament, demanding a national policy on sickle-cell treatment. Sickle-cell anaemia is a genetic blood disorder that causes shortage of red blood cells and periodic pain. Studies indicate that 39% of Ugandans have the disease with the highest prevalence in Bundibugyo district.Over 25,000 children in Uganda are born with sickle-cell every year.
“We want a policy on sickle-cell treatment. We would also like to see an education policy that favours children suffering from the disease,” read the petition. Members of the Sickle Cells Initiative led by their chairperson, Joyce Mpanga, presented the petition to the social services committee yesterday. “We want to see care available to sufferers 24-hours in all hospitals and adequate staffing of the clinic at Mulago,” Mpanga said.
They also demanded free screening in national and private hospitals. The only sickle-cell clinic at Mulago, has four doctors one of whom is a volunteer retired doctor, while the another is currently on study leave. According to Dr. Christopher Ndugwa, who has worked at the centre since 1979, over 6,000 patients are registered and about 500 visit the clinic every day.
“Sickle cell is worse than HIV/AIDS, which can be prevented through abstinence and healthy relationships. Sickle cell is inherited and its spread is difficult to control,” Ndugwa said. The petition indicated that the centre, currently in a make-shift structure, plans to build permanent premises worth sh350m. On average, 20% of Ugandans are said to be carriers of the sickle-cell gene.
“Karamoja has the lowest prevalence of 5%,” Ndugwa said. He said chances of a sickle-cell career having a child with the gene are 25% and those of having a normal child are also 25%. Chances of a career giving birth to a career are 50%. Men contribute 50% to the genes and women also contribute 50%.
Reported by Jude Kafuma Source: Newvision October 21,2009