Officials from the Ministry of Health and Uganda AIDS Commission under the President’s office have made a move to address the increasing HIV infections in Bushenyi district.

According to the records, HIV prevalence in Bushenyi district currently stands at 6.4% and this has surpassed the national prevalence rate which stands at 5.8%. Bushenyi district has an estimated 19,616 people living with HIV, 18,212 people identified with HIV, 17,018 people on ART.

During the midterm review meeting of the National HIV Strategic Plan, Prof. Tarsis Kabwegyere, the chairman of Uganda AIDS Commission under the President’s office implored leaders to use all the available communication avenues to disseminate the information regarding prevention against HIV. 

Nobert Gumisiriza, the Bushenyi district HIV /AIDS network forum attributed the high rate of HIV in the area to health workers who chase people who are willing to have voluntary HIV tests that the testing kits are for only in targeted hotspots. 

Dr Nelson Musoba, the director general Uganda AIDS Commission under President’s office, however, clarified that the commission and the Ministry of Health have limited testing kits for all population urging people to use other preventive measures, like use of condoms before engaging in sex, being faithful to one partner and abstinence among others.

Shock and grief has engulfed residents of Rwampara district after a fresh graduate from Makerere University hanged herself to death.

Clare Arinaitwe, the OC/CID Rwampara confirmed the incident and identified the deceased as Flavia Nagasha whose body was on Thursday found by a passer-by, inside Kagarama Daystar Church in Rwampara District.

“Nagasha climbed drums to suspend her body on the roof in the middle of the church where her deceased mother usually led her for prayers,” said Arinaitwe.

Our reporter established that Nagasha recently completed her Bachelors Degree of Business Administration at Makerere University but she was unable to attend the graduation ceremony in February 2023 due to mental disorders and often sought exorcism.

Phionah Nimusiima, a sister to the deceased revealed they had sought different born-again churches to save her life but all in vain.

By press time the body of the deceased had been handed over to her family for burial.

Shock and grief engulfed residents of Swazi II village Swazi parish Kyamuhunga Sub-county after finding the body of 24 year old Jordan Nuwagiira today morning hanging in a tree in the school compound at Swazi primary school.

Speaking to our reporter, Laban Butamanya, the Swazi parish chairperson said the body of Nuwagiira was seen by a security guard in the early morning hours hanging near the classroom block.

He said the deceased had a mental challenge and they believe it could have been one of the reasons leading to his death.  

Matia Njunwoha, the LC1 chairperson Swazi II village said as residents they have been shocked by the sudden death of their colleague who they say has been working as a casual labourer in the area.  

Mitooma District Councillors have cracked war on the district health committee for failing to deliver the required information to the ministry which has caused a shortage of drugs in most health facilities within the district.

While appearing in yesterday’s district council meeting held at the district Headquarters, Joy Bagarukayo the district councilor representing workers and Bim Douglas the district councilor representing Mitooma Town council said that most health centers have no medicine which has left patients stranded and helpless.  

The Mitooma district Deputy speaker Greenford Mucunguzi told the council that he got feedback from the ministry of health that the Mitooma district health data is wanting and that could be the biggest reason they take a long time to receive drugs and even get little.  

However, the Mitooma district Chief Administrative Officer Edith Turyasasirwa acknowledged that the district is facing drug stock outs in the majority of government health facilities but was quick to blame it on the National Medical Stores which delays the supply. 

Rural Health Promotion and Poverty Alleviation Initiative (RUHEPAI) has started a project of training teenage girls on how to make re-usable sanitary pads in Kaberebere town council, Isingiro district.

This was revealed by Fredica Baguma, the RUHEPAI Executive Director saying that this project, dubbed as “Nguma”, is targeting 270 teenage girls.

Baguma explained that the project will empower the adolescents with skills that will help them to earn a living as well as saving money from buying disposable pads.

Eric Omondi, a trainer in menstrual hygiene management who is also a team leader advocate for sustainable health and wealth in Africa asked the beneficiaries to go and train others on the skills they have acquired.

Blessing Ampurire, one of the beneficiaries who talked to our reporter said the information, knowledge and skills to be offered by RUHEPAI will be of economic value that will create economic empowerment and help others.

The State Minister in charge of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, David Bahati has asked people of Ibanda to stand with their Members of Parliament especially during the battle with European Countries over homosexuality.

While presiding over a thanks giving service as a chief Guest at All Saints Church of Uganda Ishongororo under North West Ankole Diocese on Sunday, Minister Bahati said that as Members of Parliament they won’t accept any person to sell such evil acts in Uganda.

In the same tone, Dr Ninkusiima John Paul, the Ibanda South Member of Parliament applauded members of the public who are standing with them especially when they are fighting with western countries over homosexuality.

In the thanksgiving, Minister Bahati contributed over UGX 18M and further urged Christians to engage in Government projects like Parish Development Model if they are to chase poverty out of their families.

Meanwhile, the North West Ankole Diocese Bishop, Amos Magezi said that they need about UGX1.5billion to complete the new church.

About UGX 40m was collected towards the completion of the church

Authorities in Ibanda district have called upon local leaders to join the campaign to increase awareness about the dangers of self-medication and the need for clean environments.

Speaking to journalists, Dr Julius Bamwine, the District Health Officer revealed that there has been a registered surge in Malaria cases in the district.

Dr Bamwine noted that Ishongororo town council, Kicuzi and Keihangara sub-counties as well as Bisheshe Division in Ibanda Municipality are the areas with the highest number of malaria cases in the district.

According the DHO, the other areas with high malaria burden are Bufunda and Kagongo divisions, as well as Ishongororo and Rukiri sub-counties, among others. 

The DHO attributed the increase partly to the fact that many people don’t want to use treated mosquito nets, while others use ineffective mosquito nets.

Dr Bamwine further said that many people also live in dirty environments surrounded by garbage, bushes and stagnant waters.

“These provide perfect breeding places for the mosquitoes,” said Dr Bamwine in an interview.

The DHO urged local leaders to always encourage residents to use treated mosquito nets and clear bushes and stagnant water in their neighbourhoods as preventative measures.

Dr Bamwine said 24 people succumbed to malaria last year, higher than the previous year.

Meanwhile, the district has not received drugs and other supplies from National Medical Stores (NMS) for about four months now, which has affected the fight against sicknesses like malaria, said Bamwine.

He however advised residents to avoid self-treatment and always visit health centres for proper disease diagnosis and management. 

Residents of Nsiika and Kahiihi cells in Nsiika Parish, Mbarara district have embarked on working on their own road that is in a very sorry state.

Residents say the Ruhumba-Bwengure road connecting Rubindi-Ruhumba town council which they use to transport their agricultural produce to market is in a sorry state that’s why they decided to do communal work as they wait for the government.

Loydah Twinomujuni, the district lady councilor representing Rubaya sub-county revealed that she received a call from the chairperson LC III for Kagongi sub-county asking for the contribution to work on the road and she decided to contribute trips of murram to work on the road.

Residents who blame the government for neglecting them have also called upon their leaders to work on the other roads that are in poor state.

Loyce Mpumwire, the district lady councilor representing Kagongi sub-country noted that they are still waiting for funds from the government but as of now they have collaborated with other leaders who extended the helping hand.

Following the outbreak of Marburg fever in Bukoba district, Kagera region, north western Tanzania, few kilometers away from Uganda –Tanzania Border, members of the public have been called upon to remain vigilant.

The Isingiro District LC V chairperson, Aaron Turahi confirmed that one person was on Friday Isolated from public and is now being monitored from Rubondo HC III after showing signs and symptoms similar to those of Marburg Fever.

Turahi urged people of Isingiro to remain vigilant and report any suspected case to Health Authorities than keeping quiet.

The Ibanda District Health Officer, Dr Julius Bamwine intimated to our reporter that the disease is viral hemorrhagic fever hence urged people of Ibanda to remain observant since Isingiro District is not far from Ibanda.

According to Dr Bamwine, in 2012, the Marburg fever claimed 37 lives in Ibanda District and this has forced them to have a strong surveillance team in place immediately before the outbreak.

Uganda’s ministry of health has also ordered screening and testing at its southern border following an outbreak of Marburg virus that has since killed five people in Tanzania.

According to World Health Organization (WHO), Marburg virus disease (MVD) is a highly fatal, zoonotic haemorrhagic disease caused by the Marburg virus.

WHO explains that Human-to-human transmission occurs through direct contact with body fluids from infected persons, or contact with equipment and other materials contaminated with infectious blood or tissues, body fluids of infected people, and contaminated surfaces or materials.