Parliament’s Committee on Human Rights, chaired by Fox Odoi (MP, West Budama North East), has been directed to visit Dr. Kizza Besigye in Luzira Prison following concerns about his deteriorating health and allegations that prison authorities have denied him food from his family. Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa issued this directive amidst heated debate in Parliament,…
Memories of the AIDS crisis of the 1990s, in which the sick were shunned and whole social groups became scapegoats, are driving a pastor-led mythbusting campaign in Lusaka. 22 January \2025 by Tsitsi Bhobo Pastor Bingu Musonza, a Lusaka church leader, inclines his head to one side, scratching absentmindedly at the pages of his bible, as…
Treatment Action Group (TAG) is appalled by President Donald Trump’s executive order Monday signaling the United States will be withdrawing from the World Health Organization (WHO). Mark Harrington, TAG’s Executive Director, said, “This insane threat by the U.S. government threatens the lives of millions. This move will seriously undermine both domestic and global health, and…
The West Nile Police reported a reduction in Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) cases in 2024, with 626 cases documented compared to 817 in 2023, reflecting a decrease of 191 cases. These included 502 domestic violence cases, 112 defilement cases, nine rapes, and three incidents of indecent assault, according to SP Jimmy Anguyo, the Gender-Based…
The government wrote off UGX 316.65 billion worth of COVID-19 vaccines, ARVs, and test kits in the last financial year, a drastic increase from UGX 33 billion written off in the previous year, according to Auditor General Edward Akol. Akol revealed this during the handover of the 2023/2024 financial year audit report to Deputy Speaker…
Philips, a global leader in health technology, has supplied 390 Lumify handheld ultrasound devices to Rwanda’s Imbuto Foundation, a non-governmental organization managing over 20 projects in health, education, and youth empowerment. The initiative, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, aims to transform healthcare delivery across Rwanda, particularly in underserved regions. The Philips Lumify…
Until she was detached from paternal care, Jovia Laker (not her real name) realized she was not just fighting for parental love but also carrying the burdens handed down by traditions that had condemned her to a life of rejection. When her birth was confirmed as the result of incest, by her father, a blood…
Kitgum District has confirmed its first case of cholera after a 21-year-old male resident of Pager Division in Kitgum Municipality tested positive for the disease. Titus Komakech, Kitgum’s surveillance focal point person, revealed that the patient was isolated at Kitgum General Hospital last week following a positive Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) result. Further confirmation came after…
By Nawanyaga Gloria, AVAC Advocacy Navigator HIV remains a critical public health issue, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, where adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) face a disproportionately high risk of infection. In Uganda, approximately 500 AGYW contract HIV each week. Despite the availability of oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), adherence challenges often limit its effectiveness. However,…
The Ministry of Health and Kyotera District Health authorities are intensifying surveillance operations at Mutukula border-post, and other entry points following an outbreak of Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) in Tanzania. The outbreak was traced in Kagera Region, particularly the two districts of Biharamulo and Muleba. MVD is a severe and highly fatal disease caused by a virus from the…