Tag: GreatLakesNews

Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has said mantained a stand against safe male circumcision in eliminating HIV, saying the campaigns in favour of the method are misleading Ugandans into unchecked sexual behaviour.

In his end of year message to the nation on Sunday, the President said there was need to revisit the earlier strategy of Abstinence, Being faithful and Condom use (ABC) strategy if the current trend of HIV is to be reversed.

The 2011 Uganda Aids Indicator Survey figures show that the prevalence of HIV among adults has increased from 6.4 per cent in 2005 to 7.3 per cent in 2011.

Ministry of Health figures also indicate that new infections increased by 11.5 per cent between 2007/8 and 2010/11.

The President said Ugandans should return to morality and sexual discipline if HIV\Aids is to be fought effectively, adding that HIV/Aids is not a medical but a moral problem that should be treated as such.

Mr Museveni had made the same call in Rakai during the World Aids Day celebrations on December 1, 2012.

The President’s call is in disagreement with that of scientists who advocate for safe male circumcision as another preventive measure which offers up to 60 per cent protection from the HIV virus that is yet to have a cure.

Officials of the Aids Control Programme (ACP) at the Ministry of Health received the news with criticism, saying HIV is a big problem in Uganda that cannot be tackled with a single strategy but rather a combination of all scientifically-proven preventive measures, including circumcision.

As thousands of Ugandans made their resolutions for 2013, mainstream churches and evangelical preachers in Uganda have asked Parliament to urgently pass the Anti-Gay Bill, to avert the recruitment of youngsters into adopting same-sex behaviour.

At Namirembe Cathedral in Kampala, Archbishop Stanley Ntagali said the Church of Uganda would continue to protect the culture and the institution of marriage which advocates the union between man and woman.

The Anti-Gay Bill which has stalled for sometime proposes harsh penalties for convicted homosexuals. It is broadly popular among Ugandans and legislators, but has provoked the ire of human rights activists and western governments.

Addressing tens of thousands at the seventh annual National Prayer Day and Night at Nakivubo Stadium in the capital city, several pastors also warned legislators against siding with the Western world on the gay issue, saying they risked losing their seats.

“We ask Members of Parliament to stop wasting time debating the Bill but simply pass it to save school-going children, who are at risk of being recruited [into homosexuality].

Our leaders should desist from any act that would frustrate this proposed law because it has delayed,” said Bishop David Kiganda, the leader of Christianity Focus Ministries (CFM).

Bishop Kiganda, the overseer of “Born again” churches in the country, said the vice threatened the morality of the people.

Confronting ‘sin’

The remarks by pastors came amidst controversies and media reports of increasing cases of homosexuality in the country. Rev Paul Schinners from the United Kingdom commended Uganda for the Bill, saying it was a clear stand for God.

“There is no other nation the world over that has such a plan and through this, Uganda is going to be blessed,” Rev Schinners said.

“We understand that Uganda had many problems like tribalism, corruption, but many people are simply pointing fingers and judging each other yet all this cannot cause change but it is conviction that would bring change in society,” he added.

Another pastor, Rev. Alex Mitala asked Ugandans to make positive decisions for the New Year if the country is to develop further.

“You need to decide to add value on yourself, your attitudes, work and plans to show action where it is not and do something new,” he said.

At Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, the leader of Born Again Federation of Uganda, Dr Joseph Sserwadda, said there is an urgent need for the anti-gay law because the country needs to confront sin head on.

Dr Sserwadda suggested that as legislators resume business for 2013, the Bill should be top on their agenda.

“We have learnt with shock that the people who recently appeared in the papers over the same practice have escaped to the USA. We know the USA with their policy will not deport them back to Uganda. Uganda should declare that it does not need him anymore. Let America keep them,” he said.

At St Andrews’ Cathedral, the Bishop of Mbale, Rt Rev Patrick Gimadu, decried the high-level corruption, child sacrifice, murders, defilement and homosexuality.

“In the New Year, we must renew our faith and fellowship by repenting. This is the time to seek forgiveness and allow Christ to give this country a new direction,” Bishop Gidudu said.

If you’re thinking about using energy drinks to stay up into the wee hours to welcome in the New Year, take care.

The whopping caffeine dose and other additives in those drinks may be more harmful than you think.

“Unintentional caffeine overdoses have resulted in serious illness and rare deaths from caffeine poisoning,” says Dr. Kent A. Sepkowitz a physician at Weill-Cornell Medical College in New York, in an editorial in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

“Caffeine poisoning has only recently been characterized.”

Considered “dietary supplements” by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, energy drinks do not have to conform to the same regulations as traditional caffeinated sodas or over-the-counter caffeine pills.

The same additives that give energy drinks their special status may also interfere with the body’s ability to metabolize caffeine. This could lead to increased or prolonged levels of caffeine in the blood.

Alcohol can also be very dangerous when added to the equation, experts say. Very little is known about the combined effect of alcohol mixed with energy drinks — or AMED, for short.

These include cocktails mixed at bars — like the popular RBV, or Red Bull and vodka — and alcohol and energy drinks consumed separately but within the same night.

Premixed caffeinated alcoholic drinks (like the original Four Loko and Sparks) were essentially banned by the FDA in 2010.

The current theory is that the high dose of caffeine in energy drinks offsets the sedating effect of alcohol, making your brain think you’re less drunk than your body feels.

This disconnected and inebriated version of you might be more likely to engage in risky behaviors such as drunken driving or sexual assault. The masked intoxication may also lead people to drink more than they would normally.

However, there is very little evidence to support these theories. Studies show that compared to the usual alcohol drinker, people who drink AMED are more likely to leave the bar drunk, try to drive drunk or engage in other risky behavior.

In another JAMA editorial, lead author Jonathan Howland at the Department of Emergency Medicine at Boston University said that AMED consumers may be “inherently more prone to risk-taking behaviors.

It is possible that personality traits such as impulsivity and sensation seeking cause AMED consumption, rather than AMED causing risky behavior.”

Although the studies on these products are inconclusive, 2012 has not been a good year for energy drinks.

“The swift change in public perception of energy drinks from harmless mild stimulant to lethal, unregulated drug is unprecedented,” said Sepkowitz in his editorial.

After reports of illness, injury and death after consuming energy drinks, the FDA reinvigorated its investigation of these products. Even the Air Force is concerned, launching a survey of 12 bases to better understand energy drink use.

Recently, the FDA reported that Monster energy drink may have been involved in five deaths. Additionally, the five-hour energy drink, a popular energy shot loaded with caffeine, may have played a part in 13 deaths and 33 hospitalizations over the past four years.

According to Sepkowitz, “To reach the possibly lethal dose of 3 grams of caffeine, a person would need to ingest at least 12 of the highly caffeinated energy drinks within a few hours.”

Despite the bad publicity, energy drink makers will not likely lose their buzz – sales of energy drinks in the U.S. were $9 billion in 2011. Six percent of young American men and 45 percent of US overseas troops consume energy drinks daily.

The best advice? Experts advise welcoming the New Year with moderation and safety. In general, less than 500 mg of caffeine per day is considered a safe daily dose for an adult, 100 mg for an adolescent and none for young children.

While the interaction of energy drinks and alcohol is unclear, one thing is for sure: excess caffeine will dehydrate you and slow your New Year’s Day hangover recovery.

Kenya’s President Mwai Kibaki has called on the various political aspirants and citizens to hold peaceful and issue based campaigns.

The President observed that the government is putting in place mechanisms to ensure that the country has a good election but the responsibility must also be share by the political aspirants and the other Kenyans.

“We must all make a deliberate decision to conduct ourselves peacefully,”the Head of State said.

Conveying his best wishes for the New Year to Kenyans in a radio and television address from State House Nairobi today, the President noted that after 50 years of independence, democracy in the country has come of age and maintained that the best way to prove this is to hold peaceful elections next year.

President Kibaki said, “The best gift that we can bestow upon our motherland, on her diamond jubilee year is a peaceful election.

Let us all play our part and send a clear message to the world that we are a beacon of democracy, freedom and liberty.”

The President further added that Kenyans must respect the rights of others to hold differing views and their support for different candidates.

He expressed his confidence that the future of Kenya is bright and will be solidified when the country embark on a peaceful, fair and just election.

The Head of State also pledged to ensure a smooth transition to the leadership that the Kenyan people will elect into office in the forthcoming general elections, adding that the smooth transition must be felt at both the national and county levels.

“This is the reason we are working hard to ensure a smooth transition to the county governments,” the President stated.

President Kibaki also urged Kenyans not to relent in the coming year to work closely with the security forces, so as to get rid of the agents of terror in the country adding that the ongoing reforms in the security sector will be fast-tracked in the coming weeks.

The Head of State further noted that Kenya has moved forward and created a solid foundation for increased prosperity for the citizens.
“The strides we have made are visible.

Our children are enjoying access to education and getting a fair chance at succeeding in life. Kenyans expect to live longer due to increased life expectancy.

Millions more Kenyans now have access to clean water and electricity while our health services have vastly improved.

We have a new constitution that is guiding the management of our nation,” President Kibaki stated.

He said that the achievements realized during his tenure are attributable to the dedication from the leaders and the hard work of the people of Kenya.

Adding that it will be his joy to see these achievements move to a higher level so that Kenyans enjoy a higher quality of life.

President Kibaki also thanked Kenyans and all the other external friends for the support they have extended to him and the government during the last ten years since he took office and manage the affairs of the nation.

In regard to the ongoing rains in the country the President noted that the government is putting in place measures to help those adversely affected by the rains around the country.

He further urged Kenyans to also take individual precautions to guard against the effects of the heavy rains.

The President wished all Kenyan’s a happy, prosperous and secure 2013 and also extended his best wishes to those who will be vying for various positions in the forthcoming elections, adding that above all, Kenyans to place faith in God to guide them in the days ahead.

The UN has begun reviewing the mix of troops under its heavily-criticised peace-keeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a senior official has said.

Mr Ban Ki-moon’s deputy spokesperson, Mr Eduardo del Buey, told this newspaper by email that the Security Council has formally asked the Secretary-General to provide alternatives on troop composition, and possible redeployments, to strengthen MONUSCO’s performance.

“The United Nations Security Council has requested the Secretary-General to report on options and their implications for the possible redeployments, in consultation with troop and police-contributing countries of Monusco contingents,” he wrote.

Most expensive

The United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in DRC, better known by the acronym Monusco, is a 19,154-strong force deployed primarily to protect civilians in eastern DR Congo that is threatened by a plethora of hazardous rebel outfits and other armed gangs.

It’s the world’s largest, and with a $1.4 billion annual budget, the most expensive peace operation running.

Following the flare up in violence from April, resulting in M23 rebels’ brief capture of Goma City in November, regional leaders – particularly Presidents Museveni and his Tanzanian counterpart Jakaya Kikwete – questioned the competence and usefulness of the peace-keepers.

As the DRC situation deteriorated, the heads of state and government under the 11-member International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) regional bloc, held back-to-back summits in Kampala, where they unanimously voiced concern about Monusco’s inability to pacify the restive region.

There were initial reports that Uganda offered to provide the required troops to calm eastern DRC, and run the military show at half the current Monusco budget, if the mission’s mandate changed from peace-keeping to peace-enforcement.

This would allow ground troops to launch proactive offensives.

In his December 14 email, Mr Buey noted that Uganda had not formally requested to provide all troops for Monusco’s operations – in the event present troop-contributing countries pulled out of the mission when the mandate shifts to enforcement.

He wrote: “No such offer has been made by the government of Uganda to the United Nations [and] only the Security Council can decide to change, or not, Monusco’s mandate.”

Uganda’s experience

The Ugandan military scaled the heights in peace enforcement when it airlifted troops, as the largest contributor to Amisom, to chase al-Shabaab fighters and restore sanity in Mogadishu capital, before choosing to attack the militants in Somalia’s countryside.

Initial reports suggested that President Museveni, buoyed by the military victories in the Horn of Africa nation, sought UPDF’s involvement in pacifying DRC during a meeting with Ms Susana Malcorra, the UN secretary-general’s Chef de Cabinet, who visited Kampala to the November 24 at the 5th extra-ordinary ICGLR Heads of State and Government summit.

NMG

Activities were paralysed in Nairobi’s Kiamaiko area in Huruma on Sunday, as residents held a demonstration to protest against rising insecurity.

The demonstration followed the killing of a businessman on Sunday morning as he went to the mosque for dawn prayers.

Anti-riot police used teargas to disperse the rowdy crowd.

Led by the chairman of the Kiamaiko slaughterhouse, Wario Agan, the angry residents claimed that over 10 people have been killed in the last two weeks and over 20 others injured during robberies by criminals.

“There are gangs here whose work is to shoot and kill innocent people.

They don’t want to work at all. If you start a business, they come and rob you. Five people have died this week alone and three are still admitted to the Kenyatta National Hospital,” said Agan.

They demanded that the area police chief must take action against the criminals adding that most have been occasionally arrested and later released under suspicious circumstances.

“We want Kiamaiko to have peace and enough security just like other areas in this country. There are a lot of businesses in this area that are being affected,” said Liban Jillo, who is one of the residents.

“They attack people very early in the morning or late in the evening. If you don’t have money they stab you with a knife or shoot you.”

Adan Mochude is one of the victims. He said on November 9, 2011 a gang of four men attacked him while he was coming from work.

He said the thugs asked him for money and even after giving them the little he had, they went on to beat him and stabbed him twice on the stomach.

“You people are seeing us demonstrating here and you think it’s all for nothing. Look at my stomach,” he said taking off his shirt to show where he was stabbed and almost bled to death.

“I was later taken to Kenyatta (hospital) unconscious… only God saved me. I have eight children, and I don’t know how they would have survived without me.”

The residents want the arrest of suspected criminals and more investigations done to curb crime in the area.

The demonstration comes a day after 50 houses were burnt in the nearby Mathare slum in gang rivalry, leaving many residents homeless.

The International Centre for Policy and Conflict (ICPC) on Friday urged President Mwai Kibaki to reject an amendment moved by MPs to allow them to party-hop after the January 4 deadline.

ICPC Executive Director Ndung’u Wainaina said the amendment by lawmakers waters down electoral laws put in place to instill discipline in political parties.

“What they did is an exercise in futility. The president should not assent to that bill to make sure that due processes are being followed,” he asserted.

He said the president should recognise laws put in place to ensure sanity in political parties as well as to observe democratically controlled politics by refusing to sign the amendment into law.

Wainaina further told the MPs that although the country was in a transition period because of the General Election due in two months, they should not break laws and procedures to suit their interests.

He also expressed fears that party hopping will spur emotions during elections likely to result to violence like the one witnessed in 2008 which was blamed on among other factors deep political rivalry.

“It is actually during the transition period when the laws must be followed and adhered to the letter. Parliament cannot use unconstitutional methods of amending acts. What Parliament did yesterday is to create a chaotic scenario. It can be the first springboard to chaos towards elections,” he warned.

MPs on Thursday passed an amendment to allow themselves extra days to defect from parties that took them to Parliament.

It was the second time MPs extended time for them to move from parties that sponsored them to Parliament.

The first time was on October 17 when they moved it to January 4.

They have now added 15 days to that deadline.

Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and his Jubilee Counterpart Eldoret North MP William Ruto became the first MPs to officially decamp from their parties to become members of new outfits.

Ruto informed the Registrar of Political Parties that he had left the Orange Democratic Movement for the United Republican Party whereas Kenyatta left KANU to join The National Alliance (TNA) party.

Ruto said he would quit as MP for Eldoret North at any time after consulting his constituents, while Kenyatta announced he would declare his next move in due course.

Ideally, an MP who ditches the party that sponsored him to Parliament is supposed to quit and seek re-election.