THE SKY SHOULD BE THE LIMIT FOR WOMEN
We reported in this paper yesterday that women are seeking inclusion in peace-making. To back up the quest for their inclusion, the programme manager of Women's International Cross Cultural Exchange, Ms Helen Kezie-Nwoha, castigated systems and structures which exclude women from being part of the peace process. We cannot agree more. There is indeed need, especially in developing countries, where women are equated to the beast of burden, owing to the domestic chores they engage in, to be relieved.
However, it is important that women should not look far to have their prayers answered. It is mainly from the women's efforts that inclusion in the democratisation process, rights activism, peace contribution, ending domestic violence, and all other vices meted against women, will genuinely come. Today, more than ever before, women across the world, including Africa, have moved as much as possible either to the dining table proper, or as near as possible to it. A decade or so ago, for instance, who knew that Africa would one day boast of a woman president? But Today, the continent has two female presidents – Ms Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the elected President of Liberia and Joyce Banda of Malawi. She was formerly elected vice president of her country.Read more
MOST MEN IN EAST BEAT WOMEN.
Almost seven out of 10 women from eastern and northern Uganda have been beaten by their husbands during the last few months, according to a report by the Centre for Basic Research.Read more
http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/633164-most-men-in-east-beat-women.html
90% HOIMA WOMEN HAVE MULTIPLE PARTNERS.
About 90% of women in Hoima district have multiple sex partners and half of them do not use condoms during sexual engagements, a survey on HIV/AIDS, reproductive health and sanitation has revealed. Read more
http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/633078-90-hoima-women-have-multiple-partners.html
UGANDAN WOMAN ARRESTED OVER ASIA SEX TRADE
A Ugandan woman has been arrested for allegedly trafficking women to China and Malaysia to engage in sex slavery, as the East African country tries to stem what it considers a growing trend. Faith Natukunda, 42, is suspected to be part of a well knit ring of traffickers that sent unsuspecting women to the Far East, where they were subjected to sex slavery. Police say Ntakunda was arrested after two women who were sent to Malaysia were deported back to Uganda, where they blew the whistle on her illicit trade.
"The two women were arrested and held for three months in Malaysia before being deported to Uganda. They reported her to the police, who started hunting for her arrest," police criminal investigations officer, Alex Nguda said. Ntakunda allegedly committed the offences between June and September 2011. She is suspected to have taken hundreds of girls to China and Malaysia. Ntakunda has since appeared before the Kampala Chief Magistrates Court, where she faces two counts of human trafficking.Read more
WORKING TO ENSURE THAT EVERY PREGNANCY IS WANTED IN UGANDA
After a 400-kilometre flight past the expanding suburbs of Kampala that give way to lush fields and hills, a small aircraft carrying a group of journalists and a photographer landed on the dirt airstrip of the Kihihi airport, in the Kanungu district, near the eastern border of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Their mission: to highlight the ways family planning is making a difference in creating a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. Starting at Kanungu Health Centre IV, on the outskirts of the town of Kanunug, journalists interviewed pregnant women at a waiting facility set up by UNFPA and its partners to save expectant mothers from the hardship of the long journeys during the final stages of pregnancy.
They also met with mothers who had just delivered at the nearby maternity ward. Next stop was the UNFPA Surgical Camp, where tens of women, and a few men, were lining up to receive family planning counselling and services, and to undergo testing for HIV and cervical cancer, another sexually transmitted infection. Those women lucky enough to have their partners with them moved faster —a small incentive to encourage male involvement in women's reproductive health issues. The Camp is run by a voluntary health team—community members who had been trained to address the sexual and reproductive health needs of the community. Read more
http://www.unfpa.org/public/home/news/pid/11529
IN UGANDA, 16 WOMEN DIE EVERYDAY FROM CHILDBIRTH-RELATED COMPLICATIONS
As she cradled her baby, just a few hours old, on the bed opposite me at the birth centre Natooro told me Kikome, her new daughter's name, meant 'cloudy' in Luganda, a local language spoken in Uganda. Although the sun was shining outside the traditional banda hut and the new mother was beaming, for me the name conjured up images of stormy weather, of trouble. "Was it a cloudy day when you gave birth?" I asked gently. "It was maybe the pain, because the baby was not coming so soon, so the midwives had to intervene," explained the 19-year-old, her proud husband Moses looking over the pair proudly.
Last time, during the birth of her son Muswingwa, Natooro, 19, nearly died from (primary postpartum hemorrhage) PPH. The childbirth-related complication is the leading cause of maternal mortality in Uganda, said midwife Sister Mary Namusisi, who delivered Kikome. "Whens someone's dying of a hemorrhage she doesn't yell, she doesn't scream, she's just like somebody going to sleep," she told me in the examination room of the centre run by Shanti Uganda, which aims to improve infant and maternal health, provide safe women-centred care and support the well-being of women with HIV/AIDS.Read more
http://voces.huffingtonpost.com/blackberry/p.html?id=1667915
AIDS RISE IN UGANDA SHOWS NEED FOR MORE RESOURCES
Once every month, John Robert Engole checks into a clinic on the outskirts of the Ugandan capital to collect his medication before quickly returning to the village in northern Uganda where he is a teacher. The regular trips have made Engole special at Reach Out, the AIDS clinic where in March 2004 the Ugandan became the first person in the world to benefit from the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR. Now he is one of nearly 260,000 Ugandans accessing treatment through PEPFAR, and those familiar with the man's story say he is a remarkable example of the program's necessity in poor African countries where governments have been slow to put more resources toward prevention and treatment of AIDS.
This is a crucial moment in the epidemic. There is no cure yet and no vaccine. But recent research suggests it finally may be possible to dramatically stem the spread of the AIDS virus, even in some of the hardest-hit and poorest countries, such as Uganda. "Turning the tide," is the goal as described by the International AIDS Conference that begins Sunday in Washington. More than 20,000 scientists, activists and people living with HIV from around the globe will gather to begin figuring out how to do that - which combinations of protections work best in different countries - and how to pay for it. One key will be increasing the number of people like Engole who are treated for their HIV infection, preferably before they're too weak or sick. Read more
http://www.ktiv.com/story/19079283/aids-rise-in-uganda-shows-need-for-more-resources
GENDER IN THE WATER SECTOR IN UGANDA
Both men and women play substantial, though different roles in Uganda's economy and households. But despite this, gender inequalities persist in all dimensions of life. The water and sector is not exceptional. The constitution of Uganda (1995) guarantees equality between women and men and also prescribes temporary affirmative action in favour of women for purposes of redressing imbalances created by history, tradition and other factors. It is also a signatory to various International commitments and it has a gender policy (2007) which provides for a framework for gender responsive development. Despite all the above actions and interventions that have been undertaken by both the Ugandan Government and development stakeholders, not much has been achieved.
Why the persistence? Uganda has a fast growing population. According to the 2012 Statistical Absract, the Ugandan population is projected to have increased to 34.1 million by mid 2012 [1], More than half of the population, that is 51%, are female. Uganda, however, like most African countries, is a patriarchal society, with men dominating all sectors and spheres of life, which has negatively affected the inclusion of women in the development process. In the Water Sector, according to the Water and Sanitation Gender Strategy [2], women are the major water collectors, users and managers of water in households and are the major promoters of household and community sanitation activities. Read more
http://www.wikigender.org/index.php/GENDER_IN_THE_WATER_SECTOR_IN_UGANDA
BAGISU WAY OF CIRCUMCISION DOES NOT REDUCE SPREAD OF HIV/AIDS
Mr Pilato Kisangala, 45, a Japadhola, was forcefully circumcised following a Bamasaba cultural fete on June 19 using a crude traditional knife in Mbale. Kisangala was not alone; a number of other people including Baganda, Iteso, Bagwere, Banyore and Bagisu were also forcefully circumcised by traditional surgeons with an argument that they wanted them to be safe from HIV/Aids.
Although this comes five years after the results from a 2007 research carried out in Rakai, which revealed that male circumcision could reduce HIV infection by up to 60 per cent. But many doctors argue that traditional Bagisu circumcision, which is believed to have started about 5,000 years ago does not reduce the chances of males getting HIV/Aids. An important landmark
Prof David Serwadda of Makerere University School of Public Health, while presenting a paper, titled Medical Male Circumcision for HIV Prevention, recently at Makerere, said the traditional Bagisu form of circumcision does not give the biological basis on which the research was conducted. Read more
NEW TACTIC: TRAFFICKERS NOW HIDING DRUGS IN CORPSES
Drug traffickers are now turning to corpses to smuggle drugs through and into the country. Information shows that so far four bodies destined for Uganda through Entebbe International Airport have been found stuffed with illicit drugs, some weighing up to 500 kilograms. The police surveillance briefs and the Uganda Revenue Authority's enforcement report, note that drug dealers have not only designated Entebbe airport as one of their transit route but they have since adopted a new technique to smuggle cocaine and other illicit drugs.
How it's done
Information indicates that Ugandans are involved in the new smuggling techniques. The corpse can either be of a Ugandan or those in transit through Entebbe international Airport. Though those found stuffed with illicit drugs so far are those of Ugandans, Authority suspect that corpses destined for South and West Africa, originating from Asian and Middle East countries are stuffed. Mr Baba said: "… but what is evident is that corpse are stuffed with drugs then smuggled through the country. It is difficult to stop corpses from either passing through the country or coming back home because it is inhuman to do so." Read more
I WAS THE FIRST ACHOLI WOMAN TO BE ELECTED TO PARLIAMENT
I want to express my appreciation for very informative Uganda@50, story, 'Footprints of colonialism in the north' in the Daily Monitor July 20. Some of us have been following the series religiously because they offer very educative and deep insights of the country's past. However, while Members of Parliament from Sacred Heart SS were listed, a name of Irene Apio-Julu that should have come first, was omitted.
I was the first Old Girl of Sacred Heart SS and the first Acholi woman to be elected to Parliament. I was also the first Acholi woman to be charged with "treason" together with Andrew Benedicto Adimola who passed on recently, among others. Besides, I was the fifth overall in Uganda after the two Bamutire sisters from Busoga, Night Kulabako of Entebbe, and Scholastica Kanyike of Mukono. There is need for us Ugandans to be fed on the correct dose of history. Read more
UGANDA AIDS COMMISSION HIV MESSAGE SPOT-ON
I would like to thank Prof. Vinand M. Nantulya and the Uganda Aids Commission on the HIV/Aids message in the Daily Monitor of July 22. The chairperson was spot-on about the Commission's new approach in the fight against the re-surgence of HIV/Aids because they seem to be practical tailor-made for different age groups, social classes and different communities.
Mothers have been advised to prevent passing on the virus to their babies by accessing health facilities as soon as they are aware of their pregnancy. Parents are encouraged to empower their children with knowledge through home-education. Adults are advised to be cautious and avoid sexual encounters with people whose sero-status they are not aware of, or increase the use of protection where necessary, etc. However it would be good if the Commission translated the same message into different local languages. The people who can read are still few. Uganda could also adopt best practices in the fight against HIV/Aids from America or Europe. For instance, America has a national HIV/Aids testing day, which does not compel people to test; it only encourages them to do so. Read more
JANET MUSEVENI: EMERGING FROM THE SHADOWS
Janet Museveni is, at 26 years, Uganda's longest serving First Lady. And for a long time it seemed that is all she was content to be, content with staying behind the scenes to support her tireless husband, until she decided to join his profession. In November 2005, she announced that she would stand for the Ruhaama County (Ntungamo District) Parliamentary seat against FDC's Augustine Ruzindana in the February 2006 general elections. It was an intriguing decision: was the move prompted by the need to remove one of her husband's most principled critics, a man who had served in Museveni's government as IGG before he broke rank and joined the opposition? Ruhaama is after all not where she originates from – she was born in Kajara County, Ntungamo, 64 years ago. Or was it a gambit, an opening sequence to something bigger? Janet Museveni, it had been said all along, was not comfortable with politics. The President said as much when she announced her decision to stand in Ruhaama, but said he could not stand in the way of her conviction that her people, and the country at large, needed her. She had stood on the sides all this time and nothing much had changed. It was now time for her to get in the thick of things. Read more
WOLOKOSO: SALAAMU FOR FDC PRESIDENCY
Probably living up to her 'indomitable' tag, FDC strongwoman Salaamu Musumba could become the surprise candidate in the forthcoming internal elections for the party's presidency. Musumba, the party's vice president (Eastern region) recently lost to a political novice, Anita Among, for a slot at the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).
But ever since the defeat, the political rumour mill has been awash with reports that Musumba is on her way out of FDC and that she could probably rejoin the ruling NRM party. However, of late, Musumba has shown intent to contest in the race for party president. Musumba, who believes her defeat was orchestrated by bribery from a rival camp, believes she stands a chance to replace Dr Kizza Besigye. Read more
http://www.observer.ug/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19973&Itemid=114
CIRCUMCISION NOT ENOUGH TO CURB HIV – MUSEVENI
President Yoweri Museveni has said it is not enough to promote circumcision as an effective strategy in fighting HIV/AIDS, without continued emphasis on behaviour change. Campaigns aimed at reducing infection levels, he says, ought to concentrate on advocating good behaviour: abstinence for unmarried people and faithfulness among those in wedlock.
"I have witnessed Muslims and other people from tribes that cherish circumcision like the Bagisu, die of Aids. Therefore, who told [health workers and leaders] that circumcision [prevents] HIV [infection]? " he said. Museveni was speaking during celebrations to mark 100 years of Mbarara High School in Mbarara district, Saturday. The school was started by Ankole kingdom and the Church Missionary Society of England in 1911. Several distinguished Ugandans, including President Museveni, are old students of the school. Museveni was there for junior secondary from 1959 to 1960. Read more
http://www.observer.ug/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19970&Itemid=114
Four candidates have been nominated to contest for the Kasese district woman parliamentary seat following a two-day exercise that concluded on Friday. The four candidates are: Winfred Kiiza (FDC); Rehema Muhindo (NRM); Rosemary Masika (DP) and Kayezu Betty Kagooro (Independent). Speaking to The Observer shortly after her nomination, Muhindo said she was sure of victory on August 8. "My votes were rigged last year but I think this is not going to happen again," Muhindo said. The DP camp is also ready to safeguard their votes. Iman Makumbi, the DP vice president for Western Uganda, who accompanied Masika to the nominations, said they would deploy a team of youth from other districts to guard their votes.
"We are going to hire a team of youth to guard our votes because we are aware that vote rigging will be part of the exercise and this time we are ready," Makumbi said. Muhindo was accompanied to the nomination by the minster for Defence Chrispus Kiyonga, Katerera county MP, Hatwibu Katoto and the Fort Portal Municipality MP, Alex Ruhunda. Meanwhile, Police in Kasese district have arrested two poling officials whom they found deleting names from the voters' register. Grace Akullo, the district police officer (electoral crimes), told journalists that the two, Godwin Muhindo and Monday Baluku, were arrested from Bwera sub-county from where they were deleting people's names from the register. Read more
http://www.observer.ug/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19969&Itemid=114
MUSISI NOT ABOUT TO BE SILENCED
Explains impasse with Kampala land board
• Says Lukwago asked for his meagre pay
• Reveals she's offered bribes everyday
Jennifer Musisi, the executive director of the Kampala Capital City Authority, has, during the past year, clashed with politicians in the Authority, particularly the Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago, over policy matters.
More recently, KCCA defied an interim court order from the Court of Appeal to reopen the offices of the Kampala District Land Board, which the police closed in May, following allegations of fraud. In an interview last Friday that covered a number of issues the Authority is grappling with, Musisi told Edris Kiggundu why KCCA had disagreed with the court order and explained why she earns twice as much as Lukwago. Read more
Compiled by Sandra Nassali & Esther Namitala
Public Relations & Communications Department
Action For Development
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