Volume 1, Issue 10

October 2013

Inside this issue:

We are ignorant about Tobacco Control Bill - Local leaders

droped out of school in senior two. The chairperson of the Non Communicable Diseases Committee Hon. Namugwanya Benny Bugembe who recently led a team of Parliamentarians from National Assembly 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 products 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. If MPs dont know about the Tobacco Control Bill in its final stages I wonder if it will be implemented once passed Now I wonder if most leaders in Rukungiri dont know the bill in its last stages how will it be implemented in the area? There is need for sensitization of the masses about the bill so that everybody gets to know about it and its importance.
edsonkinene@yahoo.com

Points of interest

en a crop to best grow now, the Speed up towards people that MDGs 4 & 5 : Government partners with grow tobacco in CSOs for improved the district of health services pg2 Rukungiri and Kanungu where Farmers tired of making local leaders say Image source : Tobacco free kills losses from tobacco they dont know growing pg2 Tobacco control activists in a walk campaign for improved laws about the bill, Pictorial pg3 EDSON KINENE what crops have been selected for the two districts to You could run mad: why "I havent heard about the grow? sleeping is important so called tobacco control pg4 bill 2012 but what I know is Recently, I took a trip to that tobacco growers in Kihiihi sub county, Kibimbiri Innocent endangered Rukungiri are below the village that accounts for the due to weak laws poverty line when it comes largest tobacco growers in against tobacco use to household poverty." Kanungu district. I interacted pg5 These are the words of one with one David Rwakakiga Free safe male circumof the councilors in who has grown tobacco for the cision as we celebrate Rukungiri municipal coun- last 20 years, he said that he Independence pg6 cil. has failed to see his children get educated because they Members of parliament led have engaged in money makby the Kinkiizi East MP Dr. ing at an early age, during the Chris Baryomunsi are pushtobacco season, his children ing for the passing of the live school for tobacco busiTobacco Control Bill to reJournalists warned ness. place the Public Smoking again tobacco industry interference Act that has not been imple- My last child is 13 years but mented since its enact- he knows all processes perFree safe male cirment. taining tobacco growing, harcumcision in Rukungiri as Uganvesting, drying and selling da Celebrates Inde- On a radio talk show on one making it difficult for him to of the local radio stations in pendence Day like school but money, Dasouthwestern Uganda I got Ignorance of local vid Rwakakiga said. leaders on Tobacco surprised when the host Control Bill causes asked the panelist on the For the last 20 years David worry bill and smartly he said he Rwakakiga has only managed knew nothing about the bill. to construct a 15 iron sheets Farmer call it quits on tobacco growing home, buy 6 goats, paid This brings me to the issue, in kanungu school fees for his 2 sons. He if the MPs say that the govhas other 2 daughters in priernment has gazetted the mary level and a son who country and each area giv-

A publication of Uganda Health Communication Alliance (UHCA)

Uganda Health Reporter Volume 1, Issue 10 October 2013

Sharpened RMNCH Plan released: Government to double in achieving MDG 4 & 5

RONALD AGABA Uganda Health Communication Alliance was among the CSOs that met about a week ago to review the sharpened plan developed by the government on Reproductive Maternal and New born Child Health (RMNCH) In a meeting organized by Word Vision, partnering CSOs met to review , improve and re-affirm their commitment in working with the government in speeding-up the realization of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4 and 5 by 2017. 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 highly affected (high burdened) thus making them priority targets for improvement schemes that are being planned. These comprised of districts in the north and east that were found below the average. 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 comCSOs commit to work with government to improve services of maternal health

Once finalised, the report will also clearly show demarcation of commitments made by various stakeholders such at the CSOs, parliament, partners and government enabling them The report shows results of governplay there part in this plan. ment conducted research in various

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: agaba@healthuganda.org

Tobacco growing farmers opt alternative crops

ASABA LINDA Kanungu is one of the districts known for growing tobacco, UHCA with partnering journalists from 10 media houses visited the south western part of Uganda for a media excursion on tobacco growing in the region. 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 Interacting with farmers who and the men take it all leaving are growing tobacco, they exPhoto by: Asaba Linda them to starve when as you are pressed their disappointments in regard to growing the crop. John Sengoma, Former tobacco farmer speaking to journalists during the excursion a tobacco farmer all the other crops grown on the farm cannot The good news got is that find out that tobacco as a plant de- be consumed because of the effect farmers are opting for other crops. mands a lot this has forced many of that it causes to the soils. Most of the farmers have come to them to stop growing it said one

Continued on page 4

Uganda Health Communication Alliance (UHCA) P. O. Box 36600. Kampala Uganda. Phone: +256-414-669-523 Email: uhca@healthuganda.org. Blog: www.healthuganda.wordpress.com. Website: www.healthuganda.org

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UHCA PICTORIAL
Photo: Linda Asaba

Photo: Linda Asaba

Photo by: Christine

Photo: Linda Asaba

Photo by: Ronald Agaba

Journalists interviewing Kanungu LC.3 chairperson Mr. Nelson Natukunda (right)

Journalists talking to Christina Christmas (facing camera) a tobacco farmer in Kanungu district

Photo: Linda Asaba Photo by: Ronald Agaba Agnes Kirabo, nutrition activist speaking to participants during nutrition advocacy trainings

Photo by: Asaba Barbara

Photo: Linda Asaba Rev. Canon Kenneth Kanyankole (R), Diocesan Devt & Planning Officer Kikizi Diocese talks about church programs

PhotoRonald by: Asaba Barbara Photo: Agaba

Photo: Linda Asaba Tobacco activists meet with Minister of Health Hon. Dr. Rihankana Rugunda (in white shirt) Baguma Richard UHCH Coordinator talking to journalist of the Parliamentary Press

Uganda Health Communication Alliance (UHCA) P. O. Box 36600. Kampala Uganda. Phone: +256-414-669-523 Email: uhca@healthuganda.org. Blog: www.healthuganda.wordpress.com. Website: www.healthuganda.org

Page 3

A publication of Uganda Health Communication Alliance (UHCA)

Uganda Health Reporter Volume 1, Issue 10 October 2013

Why it is important to sleep

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 Officer Dr. Rutahigwa Elias confirmed the research with a simple demonstration of a walking person who talks to him/herself in whispers. People walk while talking that hard thinking makes one mad because a person is not supposed to talk alone and moreover while walking. Dr. Rutahigwa said in an interImage source: Google

the gaps between neurons and allow fluid to wash the brain clean.

You could get mad if you spend a long time without adequate sleep
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: edsonkinene@yahoo.com

view with journalists during World Mental Health Day celebrations. He said that sleep eases ones 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

Opting for an alternative from growing tobacco

Continued from page 2
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 didnt 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 strenuous 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.
Quitting growing tobacco

soils cannot accept other crops but because they do not have the resources 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 necessary inputs so that the crops can yield.

reduces diseases and keeps

children in school

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

Email: linda@healthuganda.org

Uganda Health Communication Alliance (UHCA) P. O. Box 36600. Kampala Uganda. Phone: +256-414-669-523 Email: uhca@healthuganda.org. Blog: www.healthuganda.wordpress.com. Website: www.healthuganda.org

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A publication of Uganda Health Communication Alliance (UHCA)

Uganda Health Reporter Volume 1, Issue 10 October 2013

UHCA trains parliamentary reporters on tobacco control

RONALD AGABA Uganda Health Communication Alliance (UHCA) recently trained Parliamentary reporters on tobacco control, particularly focusing on the tobacco control bill Speaking during the dialogue, Namanya Ronald Reagan, an economist working with Center for Tobacco Control Africa (CTCA) enlightened the team of journalists on how increased taxation can help reduce tobacco consumption thus saving the lives that would got wasted through its consumption. He called upon the team to educate the public about Namanya Ronald Reagan speaking to the journalists of the Parliamentary Press Association during the dialogue dangers of tobacco consumption but most importantly the knowledge to guard against any have continuously misused the laxity passing of the Tobacco Control Bill moves by the tobacco industry in in the laws to contaminate the envithat is expected to be tabled to par- the attempt to interfere with the ronment hence rendering innocent passing of the bill. lives at risk of tobacco use effects. liament. Journalists urged not to be mislead by tobacco industry interference as activists push for the passing of the Tobacco Control 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 toEmail: agaba@healthuganda.org Photo by: Ronald Agaba

Baguma Richard, Coordinator UHCA told the journalist that main reason for the dialogue was to equip journalists with facts and

bacco products so that the rights and health of people who dont smoke are not violated. He descried the ignorance of tobacco users who

Uganda Health Communication Alliance (UHCA) P. O. Box 36600. Kampala Uganda. Phone: +256-414-669-523 Email: uhca@healthuganda.org. Blog: www.healthuganda.wordpress.com. Website: www.healthuganda.org

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UGANDA HEALTH COMMUNICATION ALLIANCE (UHCA)

Communication empowerment for media and health practitioners
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Plot 16, Martyrs Ways, P. O. Box 36600,Ntinda Kampala - Uganda.

Phone: +256-414-669-523 Blog: www.healthuganda.wordpress.com Facebook: Uganda Health communication Alliance Email: www.healthuganda.org

Army carries out safe male circumcisionwestern Uganda

EDSON KINENE

Hundreds men received free safe male circumcision at Rwamahwa health center iv in Rukungiri Municipality. The activity was organized by government as one of the activities scheduled for Ugandans Independence Day that was celebrated in the district. Dr. Elisa Rutahigwa, the District Health Officer said that the service was conducted in collaboration with Ugandas People Defense Force (UPDF). While speaking to this reporter, Captain 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.
A poster used to campaign for safe male Circumcision

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 Diseases like gonorrhea, syphilis and candida among others. She said that men are considered carriers of a virus that causes cervical cancer but if circumcised women are safe and protected from cervical cancer. Free safe male circumcision as Uganda celebrates 51 years of Independence It is believed that over 37 men were She further urged men not be mis- circumcised during the independlead by the practice leading them ence week in Rweshama landing site into unsafe sexual practices thinking on Lake Edward. they will be fine since they are circumcised. she said. Email: edsonkinene@yahoo.com

Asiimwe said that this doesnt mean The latest survey reports indicate that one would be completely safe that HIV/AIDS prevalence has infrom being at risk of getting the virus.

UP Coming Events

World Mental Health Day 10 October World Sight Day 11 October Safe motherhood Day 17th October Patients solidarity Day 30th October

Editor: Baguma Tinkasimire Richard Assistant Editor: Ronald Agaba

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Article(s) to uhca@healthuganda.org Comment(s) to rbaguma@healthuganda.org