Speed –up towards
MDGs 4 & 5 : Govern-
ment partners with
CSOs for improved
health services — pg2
Farmers tired of making
losses from tobacco
growing – pg2
Pictorial — pg3
You could run mad: why
sleeping is important—
pg4
Innocent endangered
due to weak laws
against tobacco use —
pg5
Free safe male circum-
cision as we celebrate
Independence — pg6
Inside this issue:
Points of
interest
Journalists warned
again tobacco in-
dustry interference
Free safe male cir-
cumcision in
Rukungiri as Ugan-
da Celebrates Inde-
pendence Day
Ignorance of local
leaders on Tobacco
Control Bill causes
worry
Farmer call it quits
on tobacco growing
in kanungu
Volume 1, Issue 10 October 2013
EDSON KINENE
"I haven’t heard about the
so called tobacco control
bill 2012 but what I know is
that tobacco growers in
Rukungiri are below the
poverty line when it comes
to household poverty."
These are the words of one
of the councilors in
Rukungiri municipal coun-
cil.
Members of parliament led
by the Kinkiizi East MP Dr.
Chris Baryomunsi are push-
ing for the passing of the
Tobacco Control Bill to re-
place the Public Smoking
Act that has not been imple-
mented since it’s enact-
ment.
On a radio talk show on one
of the local radio stations in
southwestern Uganda I got
surprised when the host
asked the panelist on the
bill and smartly he said he
knew nothing about the bill.
This brings me to the issue,
if the MPs say that the gov-
ernment has gazetted the
country and each area giv-
en a crop to best
grow now, the
people that
grow tobacco in
the district of
Rukungiri and
Kanungu where
local leaders say
they don’t know
about the bill,
what crops have been select-
ed for the two districts to
grow?
Recently, I took a trip to
Kihiihi sub county, Kibimbiri
village that accounts for the
largest tobacco growers in
Kanungu district. I interacted
with one David Rwakakiga
who has grown tobacco for the
last 20 years, he said that he
has failed to see his children
get educated because they
have engaged in money mak-
ing at an early age, during the
tobacco season, his children
live school for tobacco busi-
ness.
“My last child is 13 years but
he knows all processes per-
taining tobacco growing, har-
vesting, drying and selling
making it difficult for him to
like school but money, ” Da-
vid Rwakakiga said.
For the last 20 years David
Rwakakiga has only managed
to construct a 15 iron sheets
home, buy 6 goats, paid
school fees for his 2 sons. He
has other 2 daughters in pri-
mary level and a son who
droped out of school in senior
two.
The chairperson of the Non
Communicable Diseases
Committee Hon. Namugwan-
ya Benny Bugembe who re-
cently led a team of Parlia-
mentarians from National As-
sembly of Tanzania said the
anti-tobacco bill is going to
be put to the parliament of
Uganda and when it is passed
most people will find it very
hard to deal in tobacco prod-
ucts and the producers of the
crop will definitely suffer the
consequences.
“We are therefore saying that
it is high time the people
found alternative crops to
grow,” she said.
Now I wonder if most leaders
in Rukungiri don’t know the
bill in it’s last stages how will
it be implemented in the ar-
ea?
There is need for sensitization
of the masses about the bill so
that everybody gets to know
about it and it’s importance.
“We are ignorant about Tobacco Control Bill” - Local leaders
“If MPs don’t know about
the Tobacco Control Bill
in its final stages I wonder
if it will be implemented
once passed”
Tobacco control activists in a walk– campaign for improved laws
Image source : Tobacco free kills
Uganda Health Communication Alliance (UHCA) P. O. Box 36600. Kampala Uganda. Phone: +256-414-669-523
Email: [email protected]. Blog: www.healthuganda.wordpress.com. Website: www.healthuganda.org
Page 2
Uganda Health Reporter Volume 1, Issue 10 October 2013
A publication of Uganda Health Communication Alliance (UHCA)
RONALD AGABA
Uganda Health Communication Alli-
ance was among the CSO’s that met
about a week ago to review the
sharpened plan developed by the
government on Reproductive Mater-
nal and New born Child Health
(RMNCH)
In a meeting organized by Word Vi-
sion, partnering CSO’s met to re-
view , improve and re-affirm their
commitment in working with the gov-
ernment in speeding-up the realiza-
tion of Millennium Development
Goals (MDGs) 4 and 5 by 2017.
The report shows results of govern-
ment conducted research in various
districts. 84000 child deaths and 3000
maternal deaths were realized. The
reports stated that so revert these
numbers by 2017, a budget of 633
USD would be required. It further
identifies those districts that are high-
ly affected (high burdened) thus mak-
ing them priority targets for improve-
ment schemes that are being
planned. These comprised of districts
in the north and east that were found
below the average.
Once finalised, the report will also
clearly show demarcation of commit-
ments made by various stakeholders
such at the CSO’s, parliament, part-
ners and government enabling them
play there part in this plan.
After reviewing the sharpening plan,
participants broke into discussion
groups to further reflect on the report
in detail but with more emphasis of
correcting and improving the com-
mitments CSOs are to sign-up for.
Changes were incorporated by the
teams and the report was forwarded
to the government for consideration
that evening.
Email: [email protected]
Sharpened RMNCH Plan released: Government
to double in achieving MDG 4 & 5
“CSOs commit to work with
government to improve ser-
vices of maternal health”
ASABA LINDA
Kanungu is one of the districts
known for growing tobacco,
UHCA with partnering journal-
ists from 10 media houses visit-
ed the south western part of
Uganda for a media excursion
on tobacco growing in the re-
gion.
Interacting with farmers who
are growing tobacco, they ex-
pressed their disappointments
in regard to growing the crop.
The good news got is that
farmers are opting for other crops.
“Most of the farmers have come to
find out that tobacco as a plant de-
mands a lot this has forced many of
them to stop growing it” said one
farmer .
Growing tobacco also forced
children to drop out of school
especially during the planting
and harvesting seasons. Many
of the women on the other hand
are disgruntled that they put in
a lot of their time and energy
but when the returns come out
they are not worth their input
and the men take it all leaving
them to starve when as you are
a tobacco farmer all the other
crops grown on the farm cannot
be consumed because of the effect
that it causes to the soils.
Tobacco growing farmers opt alternative crops
John Sengoma, Former tobacco farmer speaking to journalists during the excursion
Continued on page 4
Photo by: Asaba Linda
UHCA PICTORIAL
Uganda Health Communication Alliance (UHCA) P. O. Box 36600. Kampala Uganda. Phone: +256-414-669-523
Email: [email protected]. Blog: www.healthuganda.wordpress.com. Website: www.healthuganda.org
Page 3
Photo by: Asaba Barbara Photo by: Ronald Agaba
Photo by: Ronald Agaba
Photo by: Asaba Barbara
Photo by: Christine
Journalists interviewing Kanungu LC.3 chairperson Mr. Nelson Natukunda (right)
Agnes Kirabo, nutrition activist speaking to participants during nutrition advocacy trainings
Tobacco activists meet with Minister of Health Hon. Dr. Rihankana Rugunda (in white shirt)
Photo: Linda Asaba
Photo: Linda Asaba
Photo: Linda Asaba Photo: Linda Asaba
Photo: Linda Asaba
Photo: Linda Asaba
Journalists talking to Christina Christmas (facing camera) a tobacco farmer in
Kanungu district
Baguma Richard UHCH Coordinator talking to journalist of the Parliamentary Press
Photo: Ronald Agaba
Rev. Canon Kenneth Kanyankole (R), Diocesan Dev’t & Planning Officer Kikizi
Diocese talks about church programs
EDSON KINENE
Researchers have shown that the
brain uses sleep to wash away the
waste toxins built up during a hard
day's thinking. The US team believes
that the waste removal system is one
of the fundamental reasons for
sleep.
The world commemorated the
World Mental Health Day on 10th
October.
In Rukungiri district, the Health Of-
ficer Dr. Rutahigwa Elias confirmed
the research with a simple demon-
stration of a walking person who
talks to him/herself in whispers.
“People walk while talking that
hard thinking makes one mad be-
cause a person is not supposed to
talk alone and moreover while walk-
ing.” Dr. Rutahigwa said in an inter-
view with journalists during World
Mental Health Day celebrations.
He said that sleep eases one’s
thinking and rests the brain after a
days work so one needs to sleep.
The US team study, showed brain
cells shrink during sleep to open up
the gaps between neu-
rons and allow fluid to
wash the brain clean.
The Mental Treatment Act
of 1964 is now obsolete
and its offensive language
reflects the prejudices
and scant understanding of mental
health prevalent at the time it was
written.
Email: [email protected]
Why it is important to sleep
Uganda Health Communication Alliance (UHCA) P. O. Box 36600. Kampala Uganda. Phone: +256-414-669-523
Email: [email protected]. Blog: www.healthuganda.wordpress.com. Website: www.healthuganda.org
Page 4
“ You could get mad
if you spend a long
time without ade-
quate sleep”
Uganda Health Reporter Volume 1, Issue 10 October 2013
A publication of Uganda Health Communication Alliance (UHCA)
Image source: Google
Interviewing one of the farmers who
had grown tobacco for over 20 years.
He said that during the time he was
growing tobacco he used to suffer lots
of pains that he didn’t know where
they came from, and all the family
members would surfer from diseases
like flu, cough and general body
weakness.
After stopping the growing to tobacco
his family are much better and he
realizes that all the pain they used to
go through was because of the strenu-
ous work that came with tobacco
farming. Growing food crops is much
more beneficial to the family and it
also has helped his children stay in
school since they do not have to work
in the gardens like it was before. He
added.
The public needs to know that there
are a lot of health challenges mostly to
the farmers since the interact with the
crop at most times. These farmers are
stuck with the crop not because their
soils cannot accept other crops but
because they do not have the re-
sources to grow alternative crops.
Farmers in Kanungu say they can
grow other crops like rice, coffee
and maize but their main challenge
is that they cannot afford the nec-
essary inputs so that the crops can
yield.
Email: [email protected]
Continued from page 2
Opting for an alternative from growing tobacco
“Quitting growing tobacco
reduces diseases and keeps
children in school”
Uganda Health Communication Alliance (UHCA) P. O. Box 36600. Kampala Uganda. Phone: +256-414-669-523
Email: [email protected]. Blog: www.healthuganda.wordpress.com. Website: www.healthuganda.org
Page 5
Uganda Health Reporter Volume 1, Issue 10 October 2013
A publication of Uganda Health Communication Alliance (UHCA)
UHCA trains parliamentary reporters on tobacco
control RONALD AGABA
Uganda Health Communication Alli-
ance (UHCA) recently trained Par-
liamentary reporters on to-
bacco control, particularly
focusing on the tobacco con-
trol bill
Speaking during the dia-
logue, Namanya Ronald
Reagan, an economist work-
ing with Center for Tobacco
Control Africa (CTCA) en-
lightened the team of jour-
nalists on how increased
taxation can help reduce
tobacco consumption thus
saving the lives that would
got wasted through its con-
sumption.
He called upon the team to
educate the public about
dangers of tobacco con-
sumption but most importantly the
passing of the Tobacco Control Bill
that is expected to be tabled to par-
liament.
Baguma Richard, Coordinator
UHCA told the journalist that main
reason for the dialogue was to
equip journalists with facts and
knowledge to guard against any
moves by the tobacco industry in
the attempt to interfere with the
passing of the bill.
Baguma requested for there input
in pushing for the passing of the
Tobacco Control Bill.
However, he emphasized that the
bill would not completely stop
smoking but regulate the use of to-
bacco products so that the right’s
and health of people who don’t
smoke are not violated. He descried
the ignorance of tobacco users who
have continuously misused the laxity
in the laws to contaminate the envi-
ronment hence rendering innocent
lives at risk of tobacco use effects.
Email: [email protected] Journalists urged not to be
mislead by tobacco industry
interference as activists push
for the passing of the Tobacco
Control Bill
Namanya Ronald Reagan speaking to the journalists of the Parliamentary Press Association during the dialogue
Photo by: Ronald Agaba
UGANDA HEALTH COMMUNICATION
ALLIANCE (UHCA)
Communication empowerment for media and health practitioners
PHYSICAL ADDRESS:
Plot 16, Martyr’s Ways,
P. O. Box 36600,Ntinda
Kampala - Uganda.
CONTACT:
Phone: +256-414-669-523
Blog: www.healthuganda.wordpress.com
Facebook: Uganda Health communication
Alliance
Email: www.healthuganda.org
Editor: Baguma Tinkasimire Richard
Assistant Editor: Ronald Agaba
NOTICE: The editorial team welcomes everyone's participa-
tion in our monthly newsletter. Kindly send your :
Article(s) to [email protected]
Comment(s) to [email protected]
UP Coming Events
World Mental Health Day — 10 October
World Sight Day — 11 October
Safe motherhood Day — 17th October
Patients solidarity Day — 30th October
EDSON KINENE
Hundreds men received free safe
male circumcision at Rwamah-
wa health center iv in Rukungiri Mu-
nicipality.
The activity was organized by gov-
ernment as one of the activities
scheduled for Ugandan’s Independ-
ence Day that was celebrated in the
district.
Dr. Elisa Rutahigwa, the District
Health Officer said that the service
was conducted in collaboration with
Uganda’s People Defense Force
(UPDF).
While speaking to this reporter, Cap-
tain Evelyn Asiimwe urged men to
embrace the campaign that was to
last a week. She emphasized that safe
male circumcision is 60% effective on
reducing the risks of HIV infections.
Asiimwe said that this doesn’t mean
that one would be completely safe
from being at risk of getting the virus.
She further urged men not be mis-
lead by the practice leading them
into unsafe sexual practices thinking
they will be fine since they are cir-
cumcised. she said.
The latest survey reports indicate
that HIV/AIDS prevalence has in-
creased. She added that apart from
the prevention of the spread HIV/
AIDS, safe male circumcision also
improves hygiene, controls the
spread of Sexual Transmitted Diseas-
es like gonorrhea, syphilis and can-
dida among others. She said that
men are considered carriers of a vi-
rus that causes cervical cancer but if
circumcised women are safe and
protected from cervical cancer.
It is believed that over 37 men were
circumcised during the independ-
ence week in Rweshama landing site
on Lake Edward.
Email: [email protected]
Army carries out safe male circumcision—western Uganda
“Free safe male circumcision as
Uganda celebrates 51 years of
Independence”
A poster used to campaign for safe male Circumcision
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