Uganda’s long-distance runner Jacob Kiplimo has won another gold medal at the ongoing 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Kiplimo won the men’s 10,000m title breaking gold medalist Joshua Cheptegei’s 10,000m record in a stunning time of 27:09:19 on Tuesday evening at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, United Kingdom.
“I think for me winning this Commonwealth Games title was everything, the most important thing for me this season,” said Kiplimo while speaking after winning the race Tuesday night. “But I still have a lot of things to do in the future at the Olympics and world championships,” added Kiplimo.
The 21 year old Jacob Kiplimo who took bronze at the recent world championships has commandingly continued Uganda’s tradition of winning the men’s 10,000m final at the Commonwealth Games.
He finished ahead of Kenyan pair Daniel Simiu Ebenyo and Kibiwott Kandie.
Ugandan Gold medalist Jacob Kiplimo(Centre) celebrates with Kenya’s silver medalist Daniel Simiu Ebenyo (L) and Kenya’s bronze medalist Kibiwott Kandie (R) during the medal ceremony for the men’s 10,000m athletics event at the Alexander Stadium, in Birmingham on August 2, 2022.
Kiplimo has eight major championship medals in seven years. He is the reigning World Half Marathon champion as well as the world record holder, having run 57.31 over 21K in Lisbon in November, 2021.
His win means Uganda has won five times in a row since 2006, bringing the country’s medal tally to two at the ongoing Commonwealth Games.
In 2006, Boniface Kiprop triumphed in Melbourne followed by Moses Kipsiro who won the title in Delhi (2010) and defended it in Glasgow (2014) before Joshua Cheptegei won it in Gold Coast in 2018.
Uganda has today joined the rest of the world to commemorate World Hepatitis Day the under the theme ‘bringing hepatitis care closer to you.’
This is intended to focus on raising awareness about the need to make Hepatitis care more accessible, so that people can get better access to treatment and medical care in the primary health facilities and communities.
Civil society organizations have called upon stakeholders to intensify sensitization to create more awareness against the disease which leads to severe liver disease and liver cancer.
According to World Health Organization (WHO) Hepatitis affects people in different ways, whereas some may face fatigue, stomach pain or fever, others may not even know that they have Hepatitis. A section of people develop serious health ailments, which include liver failure or brain damage.
Dr Mumbere Sam, the in-charge of Bahamagara Medical Clinics operating in Kazo Town Council, Kazo District revealed that the disease goes mostly undetected due to an absence of symptoms until it is too late for treatment causing preventable loss of life as the tragic result.
Dr Mumbere urged people to vaccinate, avoid having unprotected sex with an infected person, continuous testing, and others ways to protect themselves from contracting viral infections which are the most common causes of hepatitis.
According to Dr Mumbere, Hepatitis B infection is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) which is passed from person to person through blood, semen or other body fluids and clarified that it does not spread by sneezing or coughing.
Mode of transmission of Hepatitis B (Flyer: Ministry of Health Uganda)
According to Ministry of Health, Common ways that Hepatitis B virus can spread are:
Sexual contact. one may get hepatitis B if they have unprotected sex with someone who is infected and the virus can pass to someone if the person’s blood, saliva, semen or vaginal secretions enter their body.
Sharing of needles. HBV easily spreads through needles and syringes contaminated with infected blood. Sharing IV drug paraphernalia puts one at high risk of hepatitis B.
Mother to child. Pregnant women infected with HBV can pass the virus to their babies during childbirth.
Accidental needle sticks. Hepatitis B is a concern for health care workers and anyone else who comes in contact with human blood.
Hepatitis B signs and symptoms may include:
Abdominal pain
Dark urine
Fever
Joint pain
Loss of appetite
Nausea and vomiting
Weakness and fatigue
Yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes (jaundice)
Signs and symptoms of Hepatitis (Flyer: Ministry of Health Uganda)
Prevention
The hepatitis B vaccine is typically given as three or four injections over six months and one can’t get hepatitis B from the vaccine.
Hepatitis B Vaccination (Flyer: Ministry of Health Uganda)
Dr Mumbere noted that vaccination is one proven effective way of preventing hepatitis, which is why it is recommended at the earliest age possible adding although there is no known cure at moment, hepatitis can be preventable with immunization and manageable.
The hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for: newborns, children and adolescents not vaccinated at birth, people who live with someone who has hepatitis B, health care workers, emergency workers, people who have multiple sexual partners and people who come into contact with blood of anyone who has a sexually transmitted infection, including HIV among others.
Dr. Diana Atwiine, the permanent secretary for ministry of health revealed that free Hepatitis screening is available at all HC IIIs up to National Referral Hospital while treatment is administered from HC IVs up to National Referral level.
Dr Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO Regional Director for Africa revealed thatmore than 90 million people are living with hepatitis in Africa, accounting for 26% of the global total.
“I appeal to people across Africa to seek testing and treatment for hepatitis. We need to take collective responsibility for eliminating this disease by 2030,”said Dr. Moeti in a statement.
WHO aims at achieving hepatitis elimination by 2030, and has called upon countries to achieve specific targets which includes;
Reducing new infections of hepatitis B and C by 90%;
Reducing hepatitis related deaths from liver cirrhosis and cancer by 65%;
Ensuring that at least 90% of people with hepatitis B and C virus are diagnosed; and that at least 80% of those eligible receive appropriate treatment.
Sarah Achieng Opendi, the Tororo Woman Member of Parliament who doubles as the State Minister of Mineral Development of Uganda has asked the Ministry of Education to ban secular musicians from performing in schools.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, Opendi argued that the musicians dress indecently and pull off seductive dance moves which affect the mental health of Students.
Hon Sarah Opendi speaking on the floor of Parliament on Thursday.
“Parents bring their children to learn morals and values. You cannot pull off those dances we see musicians do in school and also dress indecently. It is very unfortunate that we have witnessed videos of nursery children dancing the same moves,” said Opendi. “Some go there almost naked,” she added.
Musician Sheebah Karungi performing for students at St Mary’s Kitende
“What forced me to bring up this issue in Parliament is that musicians dress badly while performing in schools and even their dances are not good for kids, “said Opendi.
Opendi said that the dances and the dress cord bring shame yet the children look up to the musicians.
“Uganda is a religious country, we have seen on social media concerts in schools with musicians dancing in very obscene seductive ways, some of them were almost naked and our students joining. As a mother is this unacceptable,” she noted.
She further urged musicians to sing for students songs that are impactful to their lives and be good role models for the students.
The chairperson Uganda woman parliamentary association also asked the Ministry of Education and sports to come up with guidelines for musicians who visit schools.
For the same prices, data volumes have been increased by an average of over 50% across the different tariff classes to enable users adjust to tough economic times.
In a bid to support customers adjust to the tough economic times, Airtel Uganda has today increased the Data bundles volumes at the same prices. The changes which were on Monday announced at a press conference at their clement hill Head office, are intended to support customers do more e-commerce and reduce the need to move as the impact of fuel scarcity bites.
While addressing the media, the Airtel Uganda Marketing Director, Mr. Henry Njoroge noted that growing access to the internet is a socioeconomic empowerment intervention.
“We believe that the action we have taken today will support our customers to connect with their business partners in the most affordable way. With more than 50% data volumes added across the different data bundles, we are giving customers more value for money and keeping their economic fortunes alive,” said Njoroge.
“In addition, we are bringing 88% more data to our customers who purchase daily 24hour validity bundles. We recognize that most of our people earn a daily income. We are intentional in ensuring that this group of our customers are supported with affordable data to make their business communication. This is the glue that binds Uganda’s small and micro enterprises.
These efforts are complemented by our most affordable 4G Smartphone currently in our shops across the country. At UGX250,000/= the customer gets the 4G Smartphone that comes with 12 months data worth 86500/= redeemed as 1GB per month” said Njoroge.
In the weekly data bundle segment, it is the 5000 bundle that got the biggest boost of up to 76% increase in volume from 1.02GB to 1.8GB.
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Those who use monthly data bundles saw a 43% increase in volume across the different bundles. The biggest boost of 76% has been given to the customers who buy and use 10,000 bundle whose volume has been increased from 1.5GB to 3.5GB.
According to Njoroge, Airtel has made investments and continues to make investments in the 4G network, to make it available all the time, continues to innovate and provide affordable solutions and products for the transformation of Uganda.
As the world marked the 35th World Population Day, the United Nations (UN) has announced that the Global population is projected to hit 8 billion in 2022.
Having hit the 7 billion mark in 2011, the global population was at 7.9 billion in 2021, with the expectation that it will grow further to around 8.5 billion in 2030, 9.7 billion in 2050, and 10.9 billion in 2100.
According to the Worldometer, the current world population is 7.96 Billion, which is distributed to the different continents as follows:
Asia: 41.84%
Africa: 17.20%
Europe: 9.59%
North America: 7.60%
South America: 5.53%
Australia/Oceania: 0.55%
Antarctica: 0.00%.
Uganda has about 0.59% of the total world population. She ranks number 31 in the list of countries (and dependencies) by population. The population density in Uganda is 229 per Km2 (593 people per mi2).
According to the UN, since the middle of the 20th century, the world has experienced unprecedented population growth as the world’s population has more than tripled in size between 1950 and 2020.
The statement further revealed that the growth rate of the world’s population reached a peak between 1965 and 1970, when human numbers were increasing by an average of 2.1% per year.
During the period from 2000 to 2020, even though the global population grew at an average annual rate of 1.2%, 48 countries or areas grew at least twice as fast: these included 33 countries or areas in Africa and 12 in Asia.
The statement attributed the dramatic growth in population to increasing numbers of people surviving to reproductive age, major changes in fertility rates, increasing urbanization and accelerating migration.
“Reaching a global population of eight billion is a numerical landmark, but our focus must always be on people. In the world we strive to build, 8 billion people means 8 billion opportunities to live dignified and fulfilled lives,” said António Guterres, the UN Secretary-General in a statement.
“These trends will have far-reaching implications for generations to come. The recent past has seen enormous changes in fertility rates and life expectancy. In the early 1970s, women had on average 4.5 children each; by 2015, total fertility for the world had fallen to below 2.5 children per woman,” reads the UN statement in part.
The life span of adults in the developed world has increased since the middle of the 20th century with the number of people reaching the age of 100 years at its highest.
In Uganda, the 35th World Population Day celebrations have today been held in Kumi district under the theme “Mindset change for wealth creation, ending teenage pregnancy and child marriage.”
The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) caucus has resolved to maintain all its six representatives at the East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA) ahead of elections this August.
In a letter signed by Richard Todwong, the NRM secretary general, it was recommended that the incumbent EALA members should be maintained in recognition of their exceptional performance to continue their tenure for another term.
“The 4th Central Executive Committee – CEC of NRM, at its 10th meeting sitting at Entebbe Friday July 8th 2022 hereby endorses the incumbent EALA members to the NRM parliamentary caucus as NRM candidates for the position. They are; Mary Mugyenyi, Rose Akol, Stephen George Odongo, Denis Namara, James Kakooza, and Paul Musamali Mwasa,” read an official letter from the party.
CEC received and reviewed up to 130 contestants who had expressed interest to be elected to occupy six of the nine slots for Uganda at the sub-organ of the larger East Africa Community (EAC) bloc but CEC decided to maintain the status quo.
Stephen George Odongo, an incumbent commended CEC members for entrusting them again with another term of tenure. “We promise that we shall continue delivering and defending the interests of Uganda at the Assembly,” said Odongo.
Elected representatives from now seven member states of Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Burundi and new entrant the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) serve a five year-tenure. The current 4th Assembly has 62 members and commenced in 2017 – ending in August 2022.
According to Article 50 of the East African Community treaty, members are elected by their respective country’s national legislature. Article 50 also requires the representatives to reflect their country’s political parties, opinions, gender composition, and other special groups.
Hon Frank Tumwebaze, the Minister of Agriculture, Animal husbandry and Fisheries together with Hon. Bright Rwamirama, the State Minister of Agriculture, Animal husbandry and Fisheries and Hon. Francis Mwebesa, the Minister of Trade, Industry & Cooperatives presided over the official launch of Parish Development model (PDM) in Kazo district on Tuesday.
The training which was held at compassion hall in Kazo town council attracted leaders at local government level, politicians, religious leaders, security personnel, district technical staff, and representatives of special interest groups among others.
Stakeholders during the Official Launch of PDM at Compassion Hall in Kazo district on Tuesday.
Speaking during the launch, Hon Frank Tumwebaze asked the people of Kazo district to embrace the PDM program adding that in all government programs, this program is the first of its kind giving a lot of money going down up to parish level.
He also revealed that the parish development model is not for rich people but for the people who do not have any income to earn something.
In his remarks, Hon Dan Kimosho, the Member of Parliament Kazo constituency revealed that PDM is a good concept that needs application of mind set change and curbing out challenges like cattle thefts, foot and mouth disease and sensitization of people on how to use parish development model for it to succeed.
Hon Dan Kimosho, the MP Kazo constituency addressing stakeholders during the Official Launch of PDM in Kazo district.
Speaking at the same function, Hon. Bright Rwamirama, called upon leaders to monitor the extension workers to ensure that they do their work noting that they are getting paid for it.
Hon. Bright Rwamirama, the State Minister of Agriculture, Animal husbandry and Fisheries addressing stakeholders during the Official Launch of PDM in Kazo district.
Hon. Francis Mwebesa, emphasized the need for people to join cooperatives in order to reach more market and have one voice in demanding good price of the products.
The UGX 490 billion PDM project is a presidential initiative on wealth and job creation which was on 26th February 2022 launched by the President of Uganda, H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni as another strategy for accelerating wealth creation, improving incomes and welfare of subsistence households.
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The PDM program was rolled out in October 2020 as part of the National Development Plan III to support among others, market vendors, welders, taxi drivers, boda-boda riders, women and restaurant owners from over 10,594 parishes in the country to come together and form of SACCOS to enable local economic development.
Following a letter by Catherine Bitarakwate Musingwiire, the Public Service Permanent Secretary where the government issued a directive that striking teachers should return to their duty stations by June 24th, or risk being scrapped off the payrolls, teachers under their umbrella body Uganda National Teachers Union (UNATU), have declared that their resumption of duty depends on how fast the ministries of public service and Finance conclude the review process and whether the outcome of the said review process is satisfactory.
Innocent Ahimbisibwe, the UNATU Chairperson Kazo Branch called upon teachers in Kazo district to stay firm until they receive what they want. He reminded teachers that the purpose of the industrial action is to ensure there is fair salary enhancement across board.
“There has been no satisfactory feedback from the government and therefore the only option is to continue with industrial action. We cannot give up the struggle without any positive outcome. The intimidation is deliberate and meant to scare you. Stay firm and remain at home, industrial action continues. If we endure the strain, we shall get to where we want to go. Do not give up!” said Ahimbisibwe.
A class teacher at Rwabwonyo Primary School in Gabarungi Ward-Kazo Town Council, who spoke to our reporter on condition of anonymity, said that they are tired of this government for its imbalanced actions.
“In 2019, teachers were promised to get what they are striking for and today in 2022 they recently made decision of discrimination in increment of salaries for teachers,” he said.
Adding that, they want to receive the positive response from the government but not the intimidations.
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On Wednesday, Bitarakwate noted that the ongoing industrial strike by UNATU over what they referred to as discriminatory salary enhancements is illegal and in total breach the provisions of the collective bargaining agreement that was signed by government in 2018.
“The strike is illegal and in breach of the principles and spirit of the law and particularly sections7(2)(a) and (b); and 8(1) and (3) and the public service negotiating , consultative and Disputes Settlement Machinery Act, 2008 and the Recognition Agreement signed under this act because neither has UNATU given a notice to strike nor had the dispute Settlement Machinery been exhausted,” she said.
Adding that teachers’ demands cannot be addressed in the FY 2022/23.
“While government is committed to working with all parties towards achieving better salaries for all public servants, your demands for a salary enhancements cannot be addressed in the financial year 2022/23,” she said.
“By copy of this letter, the Chief Administrative Officers and Town Clerks are called upon to take stock of the teachers present and submit absent teachers by June 30,2023 foe eventual removal from payroll,” warned Birakwate.
The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) have announced the discovery of one of the training camps used by Allied Democratic Allied forces (ADF).
Brig Gen. Felix Kulayigye, the UPDF spokesperson announced on Wednesday that intelligence units of UPDF discovered an ADF training camp in Luweero believed to have been the main supplier of trainees and rebels to the notorious rebel group that is responsible for destabilizing the peace of Uganda and neighbouring DRC.
“ADF training camp discovered in Luwero. The media is invited to come tomorrow 16 June 2022 and see for themselves. Transport is available at the Media centre at 10 am,“ Gen. Kulayigye announced on Wednesday.
Brig Gen. Felix Kulayigye, the UPDF spokesperson addresses the media about the ADF training camp discovered in Luweroon Thursday.
During the media briefing on Thursday, Kulayigye explained that a team of UPDF officers raided the ADF training and recruitment camp in the compound owned by Kabonge Umar Ajobe located in Kikubajinja Town council in Luwero district.
Police cordon the home of a man suspected to be coordinating ADF activities in Luwero.
He added that the house has a welding shop at the front which is used to disguise the sound of bullets firing and an underground trench or cave that is 13ft deep and 9.5’9 inches wide which was used to train other assailants how to shoot.
Brig Gen. Felix Kulayigye, the UPDF spokesperson shows the media the house that was raided on suspicions of being used for coordinating ADF activities in Luwero.
According to security sources in Luwero, Kabonge has lived in Kikubajinja for 12 years and has had a close relationship with Hajji Walugembe Umar who is a suspected ADF spy.
It is reported that Hajji Walugembe Umar is a deputy principle of Hamza Islamic School and is believed to have a hand in the recruitment of ADF combatants in Luwero district.
Kabonge is reported to be an ADF operative born in Nakaseke district who is currently being held by security for the attempted assassination of Gen Katumba Wamala, the minister of works and transport on June 1st 2021.
The security have also discovered that it is in this house that the same cell trained and planned the assassination of Gen Katumba Wamala and foiled bombing attempt at the late Lt Gen Paul Lokech’s funeral on August 27th 2021.
Security also discovered bomb making equipment, firing pins, bullets and gun oil among others at the house.
The UPDF and other security agencies are working together with the Media to uncover other cells and training grounds of the rebel group which they suspect has bases in Gulu and Arua districts.
The ADF group is affiliated with ISIS and first emerged in Western Uganda, and is currently known for killing, kidnapping, and displacing Christians in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The terrorist group also claims to have conducted the four bomb attacks in Uganda’s capital of Kampala in 2021.
Kira road Police station has this Wednesday morning registered a Fatal accident at Kiwatule along northern by pass which claimed the life of Hon. Gordon Bafaki. The accident involved a Toyota land cruiser TX REG No. UBD 965E T black in colour and a Mercedes benz Trailer REG No. KBZ539Z/ZC 8776 white in colour.
According to the police statement, Hon. Gordon Bafaki, 45, who was the occupant of the black Toyota land cruiser died on spot and his body was taken to Mulago city mortuary.
The wreckage of the Toyota Land cruiser TX that Hon Bafaki was driving.
He was returning from Kiruhura district where he was a member of the organizing committee for Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s homecoming celebrations that took place on Tuesday.
Born on November 9, 1976, Bafaki, 45, joined Parliament in 2016, replacing former works Minister John Nasasira to represent Kazo constituency in the 10th Parliament. He lost his Parliamentary seat to Dan Kimosho in the 2021 general elections.
“Our sympathies go out to the family of the late Hon Gordon Bafaki, former MP Kazo County, his friends and the people of Kazo in this painful moment. Such a young and vibrant life brought to a tragic end! We thank him for his services to his Country during his tenure as MP,” tweeted Rt. Hon. Anitah Among, the speaker of 11th parliament.
Speaker of Parliament, Hon Anitah Among’s condelence message on Twitter.
“I am saddened to learn of the death of former member of Parliament for Kazo Hon. Gordon Bafaki who perished in an accident along the Northern Bypass last night. He was an assertive colleague who pushed for the interests of his people and country. My condolences to the family,” tweeted Thomas Tayebwa, the deputy speaker of 11th parliament.
Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon Thomas Tayebwa eulogizes Hon. Gordon Bafaki.
“I am saddened by the untimely death of Hon. Gordon Bafaki my Predecessor and compatriot who laid good foundation for Kazo District. Condolences to the family, friends, Relatives and the people of Kazo upon the demise of our gallant son. May his Soul Rest in Peace!,´ tweeted Hon. Dan Kimosho, the MP Kazo Constituency.
Hon Dan Kimosho, the MP Kazo constituency eulogizes Hon. Gordon Bafaki.
Bafaki was a politician, businessman and professional teacher.
He attended Ntambazi Primary School in Kazo before joining Kanoni Secondary School for his O’level Education and Standard High School Zzana for his A’ level.
The late Bafaki later joined Makerere University where he graduated with a Bachelors degree in Education.
