𝐄𝐗𝐏𝐋𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐑 𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒 𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐔𝐏

𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐔𝐄 240
🇸 🇦 🇹 🇺 🇷 🇩 🇦 🇾
𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐇 18, 2023
🇺🇬🇺🇬🇺🇬

🇺🇬 Adjumani District reports decline in infant mortality
📌Adjumani District has reported a decline in the number of children who die before and during birth. The District Health Officer in Charge of Maternal and Child Health, Dr. Henry Lulu attributes the decline to the continued timely interventions by Government.  He said the District has in the last six months registered 56 prenatal deaths compared to previous records. Lulu was speaking during a handover ceremony of Medical equipment to support Maternal and Child Health at Adjumani Hospital.

🇺🇬 NWSC rallies public to plant more trees
📌National Water & Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) has called on the members of the public to plant more trees to restore the degraded wetlands. While speaking at the Uganda Water and Environment Week (UWEWK), Dr. Eng Silver Mugisha, the Managing Director of NWSC noted that restoration of the environment would help the country achieve the 6th Sustainable Development Goal of clean water and sanitation.

🇺🇬 UPDF flags off 2450 troops to Somalia 
📌Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Battle Group (BG) XXXVIII has been flagged off to serve under the mandate of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia. The Commandant Military Police Maj. Gen Don Nabaasa Friday presided over 2023 flag-off ceremony and also received United Nations Guard Unit (UNGU) VIII on behalf of the Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Wilson Mbadi. Both functions happened at the Peace Support Operations Training Center (PSO – TC) in Singo, Nakaseke District.

🇺🇬 Road carnage claims life of Hoima District Chairperson
📌Hoima District Chairperson Kadir Kirungi and his driver Bosco Otim Saturday died in car accident as they were driving from Kampala enroute Hoima. Their vehicle reportedly crashed into a Fuso truck as they tried to dodge a pot hole near Mataagi Bridge, in Bukomero Kiboga District, also killing the two occupants of the truck. Peter Banura, the District Vice chairperson says the bodies were taken to Hoima Regional Referral Hospital.

🇺🇬  Women participation in technology still low- UN
📌United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) Report titled “Inclusive Digital Economy,” has revealed that women’s participation in the digital economy and technological spaces is still low compared to men. The narrowing digital gap for women is partly attributed to social and cultural norms that leave men far ahead in technology and digital spaces.

🇺🇬 Yellow Fever Vaccine latest on routine child immunization schedule
📌The Ministry of Health (MOH) has started immunizing children aged nine months against Yellow  Fever at the same time as they are receiving their Measles-Rubella jab. This brings the total number of diseases being immunized under the routine immunization programme to fourteen. Health Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero says the Government is committed to controlling yellow fever transmission to ensure that people are protected against the high-threat disease.

🇺🇬 Prof. Ogwang is legal proprietor of COVIDEX – High Court
📌The High Court of Kampala has recognized Professor Peter Ogwang as the legal proprietor of the COVIDEX support medication used to treat the  COVID 19 virus. According to the High Court Judge Musa Ssekaana’s ruling on March 17, 2023, the ownership of the COVIDEX medication is undisputed because Mbarara University of Technology acknowledged it did not have the invention’s formula.

🇺🇬 Disease prevalence is due to poor hygiene and sanitation – Ministry of Heath
📌The Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Health Dr. Diana Atwine has attributed the increasing disease burden in the country to poor sanitation and hygiene within the communities.  70% of the diseases that can be prevented are being diagnosed among people, due to poor waste management, poor food handling as well as failure to clean their environments. These remarks were made during commemorations to mark World Sanitation and Hygiene week in Mbale City on Friday.

🇺🇬 Makerere University recognizes former leaders
📌Makerere University has awarded its former leaders in recognition of their firm foundation, wisdom and abilities that have made the University see the next century. The leaders that were recognized include; former chancellors, former Chairpersons of the Council, former Vice-Chairpersons of the Council, former Vice Chancellors and former Deputy Vice Chancellors. The chairperson of the University Council, Lorna Magara says that the leaders were given certificates of service and souvenir gifts. She applauded all the leaders for their contribution towards building the next future in 100 years of the University.

🇺🇬 Constitutional Court quashes ULS’s appeal on Computer Misuse Act
📌The Constitutional Court has dismissed an appeal by the Uganda Law Society, which sought to quash Section 24 of the Computer Misuse Act. In a ruling by Justice Irene Mulyagonja, the Constitutional Court has already pronounced itself on Section 25 and found no infringement in the section in question.

🇺🇬 UWA relocates over 200 kobs to Kidepo Valley National park
📌Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has embarked on relocating over 200 kobs from Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve in Hoima District to Kidepo Valley National Park. The exercise aims to increase the kob population and boost food ratios for lions in Kidepo, which will inturn increase their numbers to aid tourism.

🇺🇬 BUTALEJA: District officials crack down unlicensed private schools
📌Officials in Butaleja District are cracking down all unlicensed private schools in the district. The four-day exercise has seen the closure of 15 privately owned primary schools, and pupils have been asked to join nearby Government schools. The operation follows last Monday’s incident where six pupils were hit by a school building wall, killing three.

🇺🇬  OTUKE: Man assaults UPDF soldier, takes off with gun before he is put out of action
📌Jimmy Amuko was Friday  killed by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) in Otuke District after he allegedly stabbed one of the soldiers and disarmed him during their night patrol in Ogor Sub County at Apyenpwot Trading Centre. The UPDF 5th Division spokesperson, Capt. Amos Nsamba says the soldiers encountered a group of three men drinking alcohol at Apyenpwot. When they tried to apprehend them, Amuko stabbed one of the soldiers and grabbed his gun. He then took off with the gun but was shot after being chased for over a kilometer. Nsamba says the other two men were arrested and are being held at Otuke Central Police Station. He also said that the injured soldier is receiving treatment.

🇺🇬 KAZO: District records Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak 
📌Officials in Kazo District has recorded an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease. All animals and animal products hae been quarantined  as officials  launch campaign to educate farmers about the disease and vaccination. Benjamin Kyaligonza the Chairperson LCI Bwatama Cell says that the cows that are suspected to have caused the outbreak were brought in from Kyeshama Market in Kiruhura District.

🇺🇬 BULAMBULI: Government distributes drugs and medical supplies to two health centers 
📌The National Medical Stores earlier this week delivered drugs and other medical supplies to Buluganya Health Center III and Nabiwutulu Health Center II in Buluganya Sub County. While witnessing the consignment, Dr. Mulongo Mohammad, the Senior Medical Officer warned medical workers against theft of drugs and absenteeism.

🇺🇬 NAMISINDWA:  District to launch distribution of Parish Revolving Fund
📌The leadership of Namisindwa District has scheduled to launch the issuance of Parish Revolving Fund (PRF) in all Sub Counties from March 20-21 to enable people access the funds. This is contained in the letter written by Namisindwa Chief Administrative Officer, Nambwila Barnabas addressed to the District and Sub County leaders to mobilize PDM SACCOs, as well as managers of KCB Bank, Centenary Bank and DFCU Bank.  The launch of PRF will take place in Bumbo and Magale Town Councils on March 20, Buwabwala Sub County and Bukhaweka Town Council on March 21.

🇺🇬 BUKWO: NMS delivers drugs and health supplies to Chesower Health Center III
📌The Chairperson Chesower Sub County has commended Government for extending medical services to the people. He made the remarks on Thursday while witnessing the delivery of drugs and other medical supplies from National Medical Stores at Chesower Health Center III worth Ugx17.7 million.

𝐀𝐂𝐑𝐎𝐒𝐒 𝐁𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐒
🌍 🌍 🌍

🌍 SOUTH SUDAN: Journalists held over viral Kiir video released
📌The seven journalists, all staff at the State-run South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation who were arrested in January by agents from the National Security Service as part of an investigation into the source of the clip, which went viral on social media in December when a 71-year-old Kiir was seen with a damp patch on his left trouser leg, have been released. On Friday, the Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJOSS) welcomed the release of the reporters and said it would continue fighting “to ensure journalists work in a free and safe environment”.

🌍 KENYA: President Ruto calls for review of East African Community Treaty
📌President William Ruto has expressed support for a review of the East African Community Treaty, stating that various areas need to be revised. Speaking at State House in Nairobi, Ruto noted that the EALA’s use of language, financial autonomy, and capture of new developments was among the areas that require a review.

🌍 Gachagua returns to Mt Kenya to thank God for the rains 
📌Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua Saturday  returned to Mt Kenya  to thank God for the rains received in parts of the country. Speaking at the foot of the mountain after solemn silent prayers, Gachagua said it was important to be grateful to God for the gift of rain.
“Once a prayer has been granted, we must come back and thank God for His deeds,” he said.

🌍  Kenya benches on Canada’s support to secure its ports and borders
📌Kenya has enlisted the support of Canada in her quest for technology-driven border surveillance and maritime security. This was one of the outcomes of a high-level consultative meeting between Principal Secretary for Internal Security Dr. Raymond Omollo and senior officials from the High Commission of Canada in Kenya, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and Canadian Coast Guard (CCG). Dr. Omollo described the two agencies as among the most “resourceful friends” and conveyed confidence that they will be instrumental in facilitating consistent and predictable movement of people and goods across the country’s land, air, and maritime borders.

🌍 Burundi declares Polio outbreak 
📌The World Health Organisation (WHO) and Global Polio Eradication Initiative have said health officials in Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) detected cases of vaccine-derived poliovirus. WHO explained that the Burundian Government had declared the detection of the virus a national public health emergency, after cases were confirmed in an unvaccinated four-year-old boy in Isale District in western Burundi and two other children who were his contacts.

🌍 Tanzania and Senegal team up over Airbus engine problems
📌Air Tanzania and Air Senegal are considering joint action against the engine manufacturers of Airbus A220-300 aircraft, which have remained grounded for the past several months owing to technical problems. An Air Senegal delegation was in Dar es Salaam this past week for discussions with Air Tanzania officials on how best to take on Pratt & Whitney, the American aerospace company that produces the PW1524G-3 engines used by the planes.

🌍 Mali gets new batch of drones from Turkey
📌Mali took delivery of more aircraft from Russia as well as drones from Turkey on March 16. Mali’s air force chief, Gen. Alou Boi Diarra, said he had received around 20 aircraft and a dozen drones at a ceremony held at Bamako airport. The drones were Turkish Bayraktar-TB2s, which are capable of reconnaissance and surveillance missions.

🌍 Ghana President attends  funeral of Christian Atsu 
📌Ghanaian President was among hundreds of mourners on March 17 who paid their last respects at the funeral of Christian Atsu, the soccer player who died last month in the Türky earthquake. President Nana Akufo-Addo, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, former President John Mahama and Government ministers all attended the service at State House. Atsu’s remains were recovered from a collapsed apartment building where he lived in the Turkish City of Antakya on February 18, nearly two weeks after the devastating earthquake struck southern Türkiye.

🌍 AUSTRALIA: Millions of dead fish clog Darling River
📌Millions of dead and rotting fish have clogged a vast stretch of Darling River near a remote town in the Australian outback as a searing heatwave sweeps through the region. Videos posted to social media showed boats ploughing through a blanket of dead fish smothering the water, with the surface barely visible underneath. The New South Wales Government said on Friday that “millions” of fish had died in the Darling River near the small town of Menindee, in the third mass kill to hit the area since 2018.