Author: Zaraon Thryss
KAMPALA, UGANDA — In a significant public health initiative, Uganda has implemented a mandatory malaria vaccination program for all infants aged six months. This strategic move aims to drastically reduce the devastating impact of malaria on young children, a population particularly vulnerable to the disease. Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, the Minister of Health, officially launched the distribution of 2.2 million vaccine doses, which will be disseminated across 105 districts nationwide. This campaign is a direct response to the persistent and severe malaria burden faced by Uganda, where the disease remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children under five.…
KAMPALA, UGANDA — Despite earlier assurances of containment, Uganda is grappling with a renewed Ebola outbreak. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has confirmed three fresh cases, pushing the nation’s total to twelve since the virus’s resurgence in late January. This development contradicts mid-February reports from Ugandan officials, who had indicated successful control of the outbreak. Furthermore, two additional probable cases are under investigation, indicating a newly identified cluster of infections. A total of 69 people have been identified as contacts, and “all are currently being followed up,” CDC chief of staff Ngashi Ngongo told reporters. Uganda’s…
The Delhi High Court has ordered the release on bail of Christian James Michel, a British arms consultant, who has been detained in India for six years without a trial. Michel is central to a high-profile corruption case alleging he facilitated bribes to Indian officials to secure a lucrative helicopter contract for AgustaWestland, a British-Italian defense firm. He maintains his innocence. Extradited from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2018, Michel’s prolonged detention was deemed “exceptional” by the court. The case revolves around a 2010 agreement where India sought to purchase 12 helicopters from AgustaWestland. The $753 million deal was…
An Australian couple has expressed significant distress following an incident on a Qatar Airways flight from Melbourne to Doha, where the body of a deceased passenger was placed adjacent to one of them for a substantial portion of the journey. Mitchell Ring and Jennifer Colin, en route to a European vacation, recounted to Australia’s Channel 9 the “traumatic” experience of witnessing the woman’s death and subsequently having her body positioned next to Mr. Ring. The couple alleges that despite the availability of vacant seating, cabin crew did not offer to relocate Mr. Ring during the remaining four hours of…
NAIROBI, KENYA — Private healthcare providers are poised to discontinue services under the Social Health Authority (SHA) starting Monday, expressing deep concern over substantial outstanding payments from the former National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), a flawed outpatient reimbursement structure, and what they perceive as a lack of government intervention in addressing critical issues. During a Thursday press briefing, Brian Lishenga, Chairman of the Rural and Urban Private Hospitals Association (RUPHA), articulated that persistent technical malfunctions within the system, coupled with escalating unpaid dues, have precipitated workforce reductions across numerous healthcare institutions. The hospitals are stating that the current system is…
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA — Muhsin Hendricks, widely recognized as the world’s first openly gay imam, was fatally shot in South Africa on Saturday, according to local police. The Eastern Cape provincial police confirmed the incident in a statement, stating that they are investigating the murder of the 58-year-old in Bethelsdorp. While the motive for the killing remains unclear, human rights groups fear it may have been a hate crime. Hendricks, a prominent figure in the LGBTQ+ Muslim community, had faced numerous challenges and threats due to his sexual orientation and his advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights within Islam. This tragic event…
KAMPALA, UGANDA — The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced an additional $2 million in funding to support Uganda’s ongoing efforts to combat the Sudan Ebola Virus Disease outbreak. This brings the total WHO contribution to $3 million since the outbreak was confirmed on January 30th. “To further support Uganda‘s response to the Ebola outbreak, I am releasing an additional $2 million from the WHO Contingency Fund for Emergencies. Our teams are supporting surveillance, laboratories, logistics, infection prevention and control in hospitals, treatment centres and research,” said the Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. This latest funding follows an initial $1 million allocation last month,…
NAIROBI, KENYA — A 24-year-old Ugandan national has been sentenced to 10 years in prison by a Kiambu court for the defilement of a 13-year-old girl. The court found Derrick Kitima guilty of the offense, which occurred on August 12, 2023. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) presented compelling evidence from five witnesses, successfully proving the case beyond a reasonable doubt. “Senior Principal Magistrate Hon. M.A. Opondo noted that the minor was affected psychologically and her performance in school had dropped and directed that the minor be taken to specialists for treatment and counseling,” stated the ODPP in…
Protesters Rally Worldwide to Demand Putin End War in Ukraine In an amazing display of solidarity worldwide, tens of thousands rallied on several continents, demanding that Russian President Vladimir Putin end his war in Ukraine. Demonstrators took to the streets in cities from New York and London to Tokyo and Buenos Aires; some waved Ukrainian flags and carried placards while chanting slogans against the war. While the conflict visibly exploded in 2021 after increased heavy military activity along the line and deteriorating tensions in East Ukraine, with the annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014 marking a turning point, humanitarian…