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Uganda’s Great Rift Valley

Uganda’s Great Rift Valley with Queen Elizabeth National Park & Semliki National Park.
Which fact would you rather know:

That Ernest Hemingway did not die in either of the two plane crashes he suffered in Uganda but actually shot himself?

That Lake George may drain like a bath if the soft strata rock which the Semliki River flows down is eroded down by two meters?

Fortunately, you don’t have to choose because Andrew Roberts (an Englishman who moved to Uganda over a decade ago and was described as a ‘prejudiced’ Brit of ‘sheer colonial predisposition’ in a recent newspaper review.) gives you history, geography and  science that’s both serious and fun in this detailed and enjoyable short book about a small corner of Uganda.

‘Uganda’s Great Rift Valley’ describes the area in which Uganda’s tourism attractions are most densely concentrated; the 500km Albertine Rift Valley in the west of the country, and the turbulent headwaters of the Nile (also a direct result of rift valley tectonics). Diverse natural attractions range from the national parks of the hot rift valley floor, where game animals roam the grasslands of Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls and rare birds and primates spill over from the Congo basin into the Semliki Forest, to the icy 5000m peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains, known to the Ancient Greeks as the ‘Mountains of the Moon’ – the legendary snowy sources of the Nile.

The book is essentially a compilation of snippets on every subject; history, wildlife, anthropology, geology, plate tectonics, combined with short interesting stories.  The book is in three parts.

The first part of the book describes the features of the rift valley while the second tackles its wide ranging history, including the formation of the rift and the White Nile, hot springs and volcanoes, human evolution in the East African rift system, the lake kingdoms and Victorian explorers, and early tourists such as Winston Churchill, Theodore Roosevelt:
“The ex-President’s approach to obtaining representative species of East Africa fauna might kindly be described as enthusiastic. During eleven months on the continent he amassed 4,900 mammals, 4,000 birds, ….  These included … lion (9), elephant (8), Black Rhino (8), the rarer white rhino (5), Giraffe (7), Buffalo (6), Topi (12), Uganda Kob (10) and a Shoebill.”

and the Queen Mother (who in 1925 carried a .275 Rigby and knew how to use it).

Part Three is a much needed guide to Queen Elizabeth National Park – the first since stocks of a previous book ran out in 1997!

All interesting stuff and worth a read.

Meeting Point International

“Offering a friendship in which people are not reduced to their problems or sicknesses; they are looked at and embraced for the infinite dignity of their humanity.” – Meeting Point International Mission Statement

The virus that causes HIV and AIDS is harmful to more than an individual’s physical wellbeing.  People with the virus risk losing their loved ones and friends as a result of social stigma surrounding the disease.  Adults must face telling their wives, husbands and children about the infection, and often fear telling anyone at all.

Meeting Point International, set up in three offices in and around Kampala – Kireka, Naguru and Kintintale, strives to end this stigma by speaking about HIV/AIDS and its consequences openly and honestly.  Through home visits and counseling groups, workers reach out to the sick and at-risk.  MPI goes a step beyond most aide organizations by educating adults, coordinating efforts between hospitals and providing on-site nursing care and medicine for the sick.

With donations from the United Nations’ World Food Programme, MPI feeds the sick and hungry, as well as more than thirty orphans who live in Meeting Point International’s Welcoming House.  AVSI is MPI’s largest donor, but USAID, CESAR and individual contributions also keep the programme running.

AVSI teams up with Meeting Point International to create a sponsorship programme for children, through which individuals from all over the world can provide school fees and necessities for children in need.  Sponsors open doors for their “adopted” children and receive photos and letters in return.

Recovering patients often work for MPI, eliminating the shame felt by many newcomers.  Workers who are HIV positive provide living examples to those who fear for their futures.  Stories shared between workers and patients create bonds powerful enough to lift individuals out of their depression, giving them the hope they need to carry on.

People in financial trouble, the elderly and the orphaned are all aided by Meeting Point International.  MPI provides loans so that those in need can begin new small businesses, such as selling fruits and making bricks.  Beads for Life, necklaces of hand-made beads created with magazine pages, also provide income for women who have retired from the rock-breaking business because of sickness in their families.  No one’s problems are too large or small for the hearts of workers, and a solution can be found for everyone.

At Meeting Point International, people work not just to alleviate the suffering of their neighbors, but to create lasting relationships that foster happiness and good health.

To find out how you can help with MPI, contact the director, Rose Busingye, at +256 (0)77 626 757.

Uganda Ranked 6th Best MICE Destination

Uganda has been the best destination in Africa in hosting international conferences and events. The pearl of Africa ranked the 6^th position on July 11, 2020 confirmed by International Congress and Convention Association which heads the world leading association for the global events, conference and meetings.

Historically for the past 5 years, Uganda has been ranked consistently in the 10 top listed hosting international conferences and events in African destinations. Uganda ranked the 10th position in a four point advancement report of 2018. In 2019, Uganda hosted 22 association meetings such as Africa Now Summit, the 64th common wealth parliamentarian conference, 4th African Judicial Dialogue and many others. Due to so many international conferences in Uganda, foreigners, domestic, regional people also contributed on making Uganda the best destination for meetings, events and conferences.

Lilly Ajarova the CEO UTB not only mentioned 2019 conferences but also 2020 conferences that were held in Uganda. She said that in 2020, Uganda had organized and scheduled to host a number of notable conferences and meeting that had to be rescheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These include Africa Climate week, the G77 Summit, CBR World Congress, the AFRAA Conference, Africa climate Week and world Health summit.

She concluded that as Uganda continues to grow its MICE industry, the next few years will see our association meetings increase as the world normalizes in the post COVID -19 era.

How special is Uganda about the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events)?

• Uganda offers the best safety with ease of entry to those visitors who want to access visa upon the arrival.
• There are various connecting flights options on our central location on the Africa continent.
• The pearl of Africa offers a wholesome e international meetings experience for all or large groups with a complete pre and post conference tour experience
• The assured Uganda Airlines are well known to be faster and direct flights to the pearl of Africa.
• Uganda has the large international conferences of upto 2500 delegates on the breezy shores of Lake Victoria and with a quite number of touristic attractions like national parks.

Why book your MICE tour to Uganda?

Uganda is  not only known in hosting international meetings, events and conferences. It is a country that is full of amazing wonders. Popular touristic attractions include mountain gorillas that live in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. On a guided Uganda safari, also expect to see the tree climbing lions in ishasha sector, chimpanzees in Kibale national park and the big five safaris in savanna national parks.

Guide to Buying a Car in Uganda

Would you like to buy a car in Uganda? Are you a Ugandan living abroad and you have reached to time of returning back home for a holiday ? Don’t get worried of how to travel around Uganda exploring the new developments and tourists attractions in Uganda!  You can even plan to have  a long term Uganda car rental that can save you more dollars and enjoy your stay in Uganda. Remember, you may also like to explore Ugandan towns and cities like Kampala. easily move to the best happening city in Uganda with the new trend slogan of “Party after Party” which is only possible when you have a jeep rented from reliable car rental companies. Here are some ideas on how you can buy a car or lease a vroom for your next holiday;

Self drive Uganda is a vehicle web portal dedicated to the leasing  of cars  to travelers in Uganda while on holidays even on last minute option. Although most the jeeps owned by the company are safari type cars, they have planned a head due to the Christmas holiday that is about to happen soon in December to enable you join the family members on such lovely and long waited holiday well known in African Settings and cultural practices.

The website currently holds more than 836 vehicles for sale, mainly used cars in Uganda from car dealers nationwide. Its mission is to provide a trusted and simple to use portal for new & used car buy and sell needs in Uganda. A total of 29 new & used car dealers from all around Uganda advertise their second-hand cars on Cars.co.ug. Private persons can now also advertise their vehicles for sale on Cars.co.ug Uganda completely free of charge. All autos for sale advertised on Cars.co.ug Uganda come from a network of trusted car dealers and auto exchanges. The selection of new & pre-owned automobiles spans every major and minor brands and includes all types of the vehicles. Buyers can find a wide range of vehicles for sale including buses, trucks, motorbikes, and any other kind of motor vehicles.

The second-hand cars available on Cars.co.ug Uganda cover a wide range of prices accessible to anybody wishing to purchase a pre-owned or second-hand car in Uganda. Cars.co.ug is a leading motoring portal in Uganda, catering for all vehicle buy and sell needs. Cars.co.ug Uganda is a trusted site to find second hand vehicles and automobiles in Uganda

If you want to buy a used car in Uganda, you can search online on the internet or in specialized magazines. You will definitely find a list of brands and models of used cars adapted to your needs. Some televisions have even specialized in the promotion of cars and you will have enough choice.

It is important not to choose your car dealer with lightness because you will regret it later. Make the choice taking into account the brands, prices and quality of available vehicles. Take the time to check the vehicle, especially the engine, and, if possible, have a qualified mechanic who can help you.

An insured car will always be preferable to an uninsured car and it will be necessary to check that all documents of the vehicle are in order. Do not be in a hurry and you will surely make a good deal.

Saving Uganda’s Newborn Lives through improving access to safe Water, Sanitation and Hygiene

As we join the rest of the world to mark the International Water Day, WaterAid launches a new campaign “Healthy Start” that aims at profiling the impact of lack of safe water and sanitation on new-borns and children health in Uganda.

Healthy Start: the first month of life – a WaterAid briefing – show that annually nearly half a million babies die in the first month of life because they are born into unhygienic conditions. In Uganda 6,800 new born babies died from sepsis, tetanus and other infections linked to dirty water and lack of hygiene in 2013 alone.

The campaign launches as a World Health Organization report reveals that nearly half of hospitals and clinics in Africa do not have access to clean water. And of the 58% of healthcare facilities that have some access, only half are able to count on a safe and reliable supply of clean water.

The World Health Organization report “Water, sanitation and hygiene in health care facilities: status in low and middle income countries and way forward” shows that across 18 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, access to water in healthcare facilities is as low as 20%. In Uganda over one in three (34%) hospitals and clinics did not have access to clean water.
Across Africa one in 20 (5%) did not have safe toilets and one in ten (11%) did not have anywhere to wash hands with soap. Over a third (35%) of hospitals and clinics did not have anywhere for staff or patients to wash their hands with soap.

Uganda’s child survival strategy that was developed by the government and partners with an aim to curtail new-born deaths through cost-effective interventions and delivery mechanisms heavily focuses on treatment of diseases rather than prevention hence the less emphasis on water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) yet it is a central tenet that could prevent the deaths and save the treatment costs

The health sector in Uganda heavily relies on treatment of diseases rather than prevention, and yet primary health care to which WASH is the key component has been less prioritised both in policy, strategies and action plans. The less prioritisation is evidenced by lack of a directorate for environmental health which therefore implies resources (financial and technical). The consequence of this is failure to address environmental health issues hence holding back progress on reducing child ill-health of which evidence is also not systematically gathered or used to inform health programmes.

WASH-related
new-born deaths
In 2013, 2.8 million new-borns (aged 0–28 days) died globally. Almost all deaths occurred in low-resourced settings and could have been prevented; 99% of new-born deaths occur in low and middle-income countries.

Deaths caused by infection which account for nearly half of all deaths in
Saving Uganda’s Newborn Lives through improving access to safe Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
WaterAid is calling for a dedicated goal to deliver water and sanitation to everyone, everywhere by 2030, including in all healthcare facilities

new-borns aged 7–28 days and 14% of new-borns aged 0–7 days are intimately linked to the environmental conditions in which babies are born. A clean environment and access to clean water are essential to reducing new-borns’ risk of infection as shown by the severe infections circle in the chart.

Sepsis (inflammation caused mainly by bacteria) is the leading cause of infection in newborns and is long-associated with poor hygiene at birth.

Research has found that ‘clean birth practices’ including handwashing with soap in homes and facilities were associated with reduced all-cause, sepsis and tetanus newborn deaths.

A study in Nepal found that birth attendant and maternal handwashing protected against neonatal mortality, with 41% lower mortality among newborns exposed to both practices.

While the number of newborn deaths globally is falling, it could be significantly reduced if more attention were given to creating clean birthing environments, and to the water, sanitation and good hygiene practices needed for this.

Water, sanitation and hygiene to protect
newborn health
In order to adequately protect newborns from risks of infection, the World Health Organization (WHO) advocates the practice of ‘six cleans’ during delivery and post-natal care.

Clean hands (of birthing attendants and postnatal careers), Clean perineum, Clean delivery surface, Clean umbilical cord cutting, Clean umbilical cord tying and Clean umbilical cord care

In addition to these it is important to maintain general cleanliness of newborns by washing before, and after, feeding and defecation. All of the above rely on:

Water – access to and use of water that is free from contamination by pathogens and chemicals. This requires convenient and consistent access to sufficient quantities of safe water.
Sanitation – safe disposal of wastes from delivery (i.e. placental waste and medical wastes) and continued safe disposal of newborn excreta.

Hygiene – access to and use of adequate disinfecting materials (i.e. soap and detergents) for achieving hygienic conditions (i.e. for hand-washing, body washing, cleaning surfaces and instruments, laundering sheets etc.)

Our Call to Government
and Stakeholders;
Every healthcare facility has clean running water, safe toilets for patients (separate for men and women, child-friendly, accessible to people with disabilities, and complete with locks and lights), functional sinks and soap for health workers and patients in all treatment and birthing rooms.

No new healthcare facilities are built without adequate, sustainable safe water and sanitation services. This should be spelt out clearly in the Public Health Act currently under review.

Uganda’s healthcare system/ministry should commit to including good hygiene practice and promotion in professional training, plans and actions. Staff and mothers are informed and empowered to practice adequate hygiene measures.

Every birthing centre ensures basic hygiene and sterile conditions, particularly in delivery rooms and operating theatres – such as hand-washing with soap, repeated cleaning and disinfection of facilities, and safe separation of human and medical waste from human contact.

Women giving birth away from maternity clinics must have access to clean water, a clean birthing area and a trained birth attendant who practices safe hygiene.

The government, development partners and stakeholders in newborn health should ensure that water, sanitation and hygiene services (WASH) are integrated in all plans for reducing newborn deaths, Standards for Maternal and Neonatal care and across the health systems plans that encompass any or all of these objectives. Government should ensure finances are made available and used accordingly.

Monitoring and assessment of progress towards universal health coverage include data on the availability of water, sanitation and hygiene services at healthcare facilities and household levels to inform strategies and planning.

The Sustainable Development Goals should include a dedicated goal for Water and Sanitation with ambitious targets for universal WASH access by 2030. The framework should ensure integration between WASH targets and health targets such as universal health coverage and prevention of under-five and maternal mortality.

Investing in water in health facilities and clinics will help Uganda realize better health outcomes. Together we can end the needless and preventable deaths of new-borns through prioritizing Water, Sanitation and Hygiene.

Workers yet to benefit from unions

Mr Paul Oketch, 45, a worker at one of the sugar manufacturing factories, joined the labour union 10 years ago. Unions help members to enjoy benefits of employment such as fair treatment, better pay, working conditions and fair compesation.

But instead, he has suffered more like other workers who are not unionists. He says, the union leaders who would have helped to fight the exploitation of members, instead ‘connive’ with the employers to make their life harder while at work.

Mr Oketch says their plan to withdraw from the union, which even deducts three per cent of their monthly salary to facilitate its activities, have also been frustrated by both the employer and union leaders.

“We are between a rock and a hard place and our leaders are simply there to collect wealth yet ordinary workers are suffering,” he says. “I even find no justification of deducting three per cent from my meagre monthly salary to facilitate a union, which does not help me,” he adds.

All the unionised workers on sugar and tea plantations scribe to National Union of Plantation and Agricultural Workers of Uganda (NUPAW). But Mr Bruno Pajobo, the NUPAWU secretary general, says some union members speak ‘ill’ of their leaders because they were defeated in elections.

Mr Oketch’s case is one among the many victims as thousands of workers are silently being oppressed at work places but fail to speak out because of fear of losing their jobs.

Corruption cases
Despite their failure to safeguard the rights of workers, union leaders are said to be corrupt, a vice which has affected the organisation’s operations which handles an estimated 300,000 civil servants and 11million private sector employees.
Consequently, this has led to splinter groups that are defeating the desired teamwork spirit.

The Central Organisation of Free Trade Unions (Coftu) broke off from National Organisation of Trade Unions (NOTU) in the run up to the 2006 elections, following elections in NOTU in which workers Member of Parliament, Dr Sam Lyomoku and Mr Christopher Kahirita emerged losers.

But Dr Lyomoki , who is also Coftu general secretary says despite having internal bickering, the current labour movement leadership has tried to deem its image locally and internationally .

“As brothers of the same family, such misunderstands are inevitable but we believe in solidarity and it is through this that we have managed to achieve something,” he says.
He cites the enactment of the National Employment Policy, securing workers’ representation on the National Social Security Fund board, and improving awareness about workers’ rights as some of the achievements registered.

“I do not really think that there is any employer today who doesn’t know that mistreating workers is bad. We have done our part and what is lacking is taking action,” he says.

More effort needed to promote human rights

The human rights cause in Uganda has taken both upward and downward trends. The upward trend is owed to the fact that Uganda has made tremendous progress in human rights structural development.

The government was been lauded the enactment of the 1995 Constitution, whose provisions lay a good platform for the protection and promoting of human rights. There has also been commendation to the government for establishing the Uganda Human Rights Commission, the Inspector General of Government, and structures that provide a good platform for upholding human rights in the country.

According to Mr. Muhammed Ndifuna, the chief executive officer of Human Rights Network Uganda, the passing of laws, for example, the Access to Information Act, is also worth noting because it has enabled the public to access information.

“The establishment of the human rights department in the police is also astride the human rights cause in the country has registered,” he adds. The establishment of organs and laws in support of human rights has helped to establish a normative framework that enables people to promote, protect and defend human rights.

Challenges
Mr. Ndifuna, however, says the human rights cause has a long way to go because the various structures and agencies established by the government to protect, promote and defend human rights have come under denigration.

“Many of them are undercut, not well facilitated, or are interfered with. There have also been several incidences of dishonoring some articles of the constitution,” he says.
He says some progressive laws have been systematically violated, taking the country back to where it came from in terms of the human rights violation. Human rights can only be protected in a situation where the rule of law is manifested; one of the cardinal principles is the separation of power.

Mr. Ndifuna says sometimes there is the intrusion of the executive in the judiciary and legislature undermining the protection of human rights. Although human rights defenders have faced many challenges including harassment, some achievements have been registered.
According to Mr. Ndifuna, human rights defenders have managed to monitor and document human rights violations and abuse in the country.

Mr Ndifuna says human rights defenders are also supporting the state to measure up to its obligation under international treaties. Civil society organizations work with government agencies and ministries to ensure that Uganda meets the requirements of the international human rights treaties.

Role of Parliament
The Parliament of Uganda has been instrumental in promoting human rights. Ms Monicah Amoding, the Female Youth representative, says Parliament managed to establish the human rights committee that was not existing. She says the human rights committee of Parliament has worked closely with other stakeholders to monitor policies, bills and laws concerning human rights.

Workers yet to benefit from unions

Mr Paul Oketch, 45, a worker at one of the sugar manufacturing factories, joined the labour union 10 years ago. Unions help members to enjoy benefits of employment such as fair treatment, better pay, working conditions and fair compensation.

But instead, he has suffered more like other workers who are not unionists. He says, the union leaders who would have helped to fight the exploitation of members, instead ‘connive’ with the employers to make their life harder while at work.

Mr Oketch says their plan to withdraw from the union, which even deducts three per cent of their monthly salary to facilitate its activities, have also been frustrated by both the employer and union leaders.

“We are between a rock and a hard place and our leaders are simply there to collect wealth yet ordinary workers are suffering,” he says. “I even find no justification of deducting three per cent from my meagre monthly salary to facilitate a union, which does not help me,” he adds.

All the unionised workers on sugar and tea plantations scribe to National Union of Plantation and Agricultural Workers of Uganda (NUPAW). But Mr Bruno Pajobo, the NUPAWU secretary general, says some union members speak ‘ill’ of their leaders because they were defeated in elections.

Mr Oketch’s case is one among the many victims as thousands of workers are silently being oppressed at work places but fail to speak out because of fear of losing their jobs.

Corruption cases
Despite their failure to safeguard the rights of workers, union leaders are said to be corrupt, a vice which has affected the organisation’s operations which handles an estimated 300,000 civil servants and 11million private sector employees.
Consequently, this has led to splinter groups that are defeating the desired teamwork spirit.

The Central Organisation of Free Trade Unions (Coftu) broke off from National Organisation of Trade Unions (NOTU) in the run up to the 2006 elections, following elections in NOTU in which workers Member of Parliament, Dr Sam Lyomoku and Mr Christopher Kahirita emerged losers.

But Dr Lyomoki , who is also Coftu general secretary says despite having internal bickering, the current labour movement leadership has tried to deem its image locally and internationally .

“As brothers of the same family, such misunderstands are inevitable but we believe in solidarity and it is through this that we have managed to achieve something,” he says.
He cites the enactment of the National Employment Policy, securing workers’ representation on the National Social Security Fund board, and improving awareness about workers’ rights as some of the achievements registered.

“I do not really think that there is any employer today who doesn’t know that mistreating workers is bad. We have done our part and what is lacking is taking action,” he says.