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WHO discontinues hydroxychloroquine and lopinavir treatment arms for COVID-19

By
Our Reporter
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hydroxychloroquine

The World health organisation (WHO) has accepted the recommendation from the Solidarity Trial’s International Steering Committee to discontinue the trial’s hydroxychloroquine and lopinavir/ritonavir arms. The Solidarity Trial was established by WHO to find an effective COVID-19 treatment for hospitalized patients.

The International Steering Committee formulated the recommendation in light of the evidence for hydroxychloroquine vs standard of care and for lopinavir/ritonavir vs standard of care from the Solidarity trial interim results, and from a review of the evidence from all trials presented at the 1-2 July WHO Summit on COVID-19 research and innovation.

These interim trial results show that hydroxychloroquine and lopinavir/ritonavir produce little or no reduction in the mortality of hospitalized COVID-19 patients when compared to standard of care. Solidarity trial investigators will interrupt the trials with immediate effect.

For each of the drugs, the interim results do not provide solid evidence of increased mortality. There were, however, some associated safety signals in the clinical laboratory findings of the add on Discovery trial, a participant in the Solidarity trial. These will also be reported in the peer-reviewed publication.

This decision applies only to the conduct of the Solidarity trial in hospitalized patients and does not affect the possible evaluation in other studies of hydroxychloroquine or lopinavir/ritonavir in non-hospitalized patients or as pre or post exposure prophylaxis for COVID-19. The interim Solidarity results are now being readied for peer-reviewed publication.

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FDC reject government’s proposal to handpick flag bearers

By
Geoffery Serugo
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fdc

The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has rejected the government’s proposed regulations to govern political parties’ internal elections during Covid-19 period, presented to Parliament Last week.

Parties under regulation (2) to conduct virtual meetings, generate resolutions through signing of papers and to use unauthorized organs of parties to handpick flag bearers.

The party spokesperson Ssemujju Nganda urged Parliament to reject proposed regulations claiming that they have the effect of overthrowing multiparty democracy. “As FDC, the procedures and processes of candidate identification and selection are well laid out in our constitution. We will not learn NRM bad manners.”

“We have been informed that these regulations are solely to benefit the National Resistance Movement (NRM) which manipulated its Constitution recently to provide for lining up behind candidates and are now stuck because of Covid-19. The NRM wants to return to the Electoral College and secret ballot which they selfishly removed from their constitution. Let them carry their cross alone.” He said adding that even when they are passed by Parliament, FDC will defy them.

The FDC believes World Health Organization (WHO) finding that social distancing, hand washing and wearing face masks are the surest way of stopping the spread of Covid-19 by the Corona virus.

“Holding a normal election on the dates stipulated in the Constitution (January-February 2020) as announced by the Electoral Commission is a big risk. But if as a country we choose to do so, these elections must be transparent as commanded by the Constitution. The Constitution provides for only normal elections where candidates freely interact with the electorate.” He said adding that any attempt to modify these elections will be unlawful.

He said the country should allow the term of office for the current administration to expire and an interim council should run the government and organize elections when the pandemic is over. The nature of the council and its members should be agreed upon by all political players in the country.

“That is what will resolve the current impasse. Parliament can make the necessary changes to the Constitution and electoral laws to accommodate this situation.”

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How Makerere University student Emmanuel Tegu met his death

By
Geoffery Serugo
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Tegu

Police have refuted all claims of the Makerere University student Emmanuel Tegu who recently passed on at Mulago hospital on Saturday 4th July. Tegu is averred to have been battered by aggressive Local defence unity (LDU) officers for allegedly flouting curfew guidelines.

According to Police Spokesperson Fred Enanga, the third year student was pursuing BSc. Animal production (BAP), was beaten by a mob on 28th June at 11:00 PM near Lumumba hall.

“Preliminary findings indicate the deceased informed his girlfriend that he was going to church. He revealed that the victim was a son to a police officer identified as Sgt. Sam Okwalinga.”

Enanga said Tegu had Bipolar, a mental illness and was found half-naked in Makerere University by patrol teams.

“Tegu became more aggressive as they (patrol teams) tried to pursue him and started pelting them with stones.” Enanga said adding that CCTV footage shows him pelting officers with stones.

“Police teams got a disturbance call from area councillors. Tegu reached Centenary Bank in Makerere University and tried to attack the guards there. One of the guards raised an alarm and residents from Lumumba Hall descended on him,” Enanga said

He faulted the victim for moving with no identification document and confirmed that they are holding suspects in connection to the death of Emmanuel Tegu

Tegu was laid to rest on July 5, 2020, at the family’s ancestral home in Kanyum village, Kolir sub-county, Bukedea district.

Makerere University Guild President Julius Kateregga said he has been getting reports from students pointing to attacks from LDUs.

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Employers, workplaces must not be centers of Covid-19 transmission

By
Guest Writer
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By Alex Asiimwe

On the June 22nd, the President addressed the Nation on matters of #COVID-19 and the lockdown relaxation.

He pointed out the need to ensure compliance to #COVID-19 prevention measures as stipulated by the Ministry of Health.

He also said that more effort is needed in areas with poor compliance to prevention measures such as Kikuubo in Kampala and other crowded down-town settings, some supermarkets that do not enforce #Covid-19 control SOPs.

It should be noted that non-compliance from workplace may pose a risk to all Ugandans and may lead to further spread of the infection hence eroding the gains so far registered.

The #Covid-19 outbreak in one factory is a wake-up call for all labour officers including occupational health inspectors both at the Directorate of Labour, Employment and Occupational Safety and Health, Ministry of Gender and Labour Officers in local governments and KCCA to intensify labour/occupational health inspections to enforce the #COVID-19 prevention standards at workplaces.

In order to complement the efforts of the Ministry of Health (MoH) in containing this pandemic, the Directorate of Labour, Employment and Occupational Safety and Health in developed #COVID-19 Prevention at Workplaces SOPs.

The SOPs are intended to ensure the safety and health of workers, employers, contractors and general public during the fight of this pandemic.

To contextualize these SOPs with the national legal framework, S.10 of the Employment Act, 2006 empowers the labour officer to enforce legal provisions relating conditions of work and protection of workers.

Similarly, s.11 of the same Act empowers the labour officers to close a workplace if there is imminent danger to health or safety of the workers.

Also note that the s.13 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 2006 provides the duty of employers to protect his or her workers and the general public from the dangerous aspects of the employer’s undertaking at his or her own cost.

The law further mandates employers to provide adequate and appropriate information, instructions, training and supervision necessary to ensure the safety and health of the employees, and the application and use of occupational safety and health measures, taking into account the functions and capabilities of the different categories of workers in an undertaking.

It is for that reason that the Ministry of Gender issued a circular dated 13th May 2020 to all CAOs, town clerks and KCAA to facilitate labour officers to undertake #COVID-19 Labour Inspections and report monthly.

The #COVID-19 Prevention at Workplaces Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) requires the employers to;
i. Establish a workplace #COVID-19 Taskforce of 3 to 5 workers with gender lens. This Committee is mandated to champion the #COVID-19 prevention and control measures in a facility;
ii. maintain workplace hygiene which includes both hand washing facilities and tools for that purpose
iii. put in place proper signage which includes informative, precaution, mandatory and prohibitive signages on #COVID-19 prevention and control measures;
iv. implement social distancing. All employers are required to configure their work processes to #COVID-19 prevention and control measures including social distancing in all company/organization work processes;
v. monitoring of employee’s Health. This includes medical check-up of all employees on the symptoms of #COVID-19, providing necessary tools to the front line workers, training all workers on the #COVID-19 prevention, reporting employees and clients who present with symptoms of the #COVID-19 to the MoH;
vi. respect employee rights which includes employees suffering from #COVID-19 should not be terminated but instead be granted sick leave with pay in accordance with the Employment Act, 2006, Contract of Service and Collective Bargaining Agreement if any.

Employers, Government remains committed to protect all persons in Uganda.

Accordingly, it has recruited over 159 Labour Officers across the country to enforce legal provisions relating conditions of work and protection of workers but also most importantly provide advisory services including training to employers for enhanced labour productivity.

Therefore, Employers, utilize these labour offices in the fight against this pandemic.

The Writer is a Commissioner Labour, Industrial Relations & Productivity, Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development
Email: alex.asiimwe@mglsd.go.ug

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Katuntu: Sudhir will defeat BoU in Supreme Court

By
Our Reporter
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Former COSASE chairman, Abdu Katuntu.

Former Chairman of Parliament’s Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (Cosase) Abdu Katuntu has backed tycoon Sudhir Ruparelia to defeat Bank of Uganda (BoU) in the Supreme Court.

BoU was last week humiliated after the Court of Appeal dismissed a multi-billion case in which the central bank had sued Sudhir Ruparelia and his Meera investments accusing them of siphoning over Shs397 billion from the defunct Crane Bank Limited.

Following the humiliation, BoU said it will appeal to the Supreme Court.
However, MP Katuntu, who led a broad parliamentary inquiry into irregularities and dubious dealings at the central bank, has warned that the central bank should own up to its mess and avoid exposing tax payers to further financial hemorrhage.

“BoU Supervision Department was watching as banks were making mistakes. Therefore BoU must own mistakes and do better in the future,” Mr Katuntu said, adding that the two parties should not involve President Museveni in their wars.

MP Katuntu explained that the law bars CBL in receivership to sue as it has no address and that BoU has failed to account for about Shs466 billion of the taxpayers’ money allegedly paid to the depositors of CBL as it was closed and later sold to Dfcu bank in 2017 at only Shs200 billion, paid in installments.
MP Katuntu added that BoU closed CBL and other six banks with carelessness and impunity even though the lending institutions had weaknesses in running their businesses.

Commenting on the same, Mr Moses Byaruhanga, the Senior Presidential Advisor on Political Affairs, said the current media wars between BoU and defendants in the affected banks are because of BoU’s weaknesses in the supervision of the industry.
“BoU’s supervision department was watching as banks were making mistakes. Therefore BoU must own mistakes and do better in the future,” Mr Byaruhanga said.

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Dr Stella Nyanzi tenders in nomination papers for Kampala

By
Simon Kabayo
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Dr. Stella Nyanzi

The former Makerere University researcher, Dr Stella Nyanzi has submitted in her nomination papers at the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) headquarters amid cheers.

The controversial researcher is vying to unseat Nabilah Naggayi Sempala, the incumbent Member of Parliament representing the Kampala Women Parliamentary Constituency in the 10th parliament.

Dr Nyanzi rose to fame in 2016 after making a nude protest against her boss, Prof Mahmood Mamdani who had asked her to lecture in the new PhD programme, dubbed the Mamdani PHD Project.

The scholar has been publishing stinging articles criticising president Museveni’s leadership and the first lady who double as the minister of education and sports Janet Kataha Museveni.

After her arrest in 2017, she was suspended from Makerere University. She appealed the decision with Makerere University’s appeal tribunal, which directed that she be reinstated, promoted to the level of a research fellow with immediate effect, and paid back wages.

The university declined to abide by its tribunal’s decision and therefore she filed a lawsuit against the university requesting reinstatement and back wages. In response, in December 2018, the university dismissed her, along with 45 other academics, arguing that her contract expired.

In December 2018, the court presided over by Ms Kamasanyu, remanded Nyanzi to Luzira prison after she objected to the charges of alleged cyber harassment on grounds that they are defective and cannot stand. She was accused of insulting President Museveni and his mother, the late Esteri Kokundeka through a vulgar Facebook post.

In August last year, the Buganda Road Magistrates Court convicted her of cyber harassment and acquitted her of charges of offensive Communication. She was subsequently sentenced to 18 months in prison.

Feminist however appealed against lower court’s decision. After serving 14 months in prison, the International Crimes Division of the High Court quashed 18months imprisonment that was handed to her.

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#Covid-19: UNBS certifies Sanitizers manufactured by Rwenzori Bottling Company

By
Geoffery Serugo
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Sanitizers manufactured by Rwenzori.

The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has certified sanitizers manufactured by Rwenzori Bottling Company in addition to already 38 companies producing 43 brands of sanitizers.

Among these are; Saraya Manufacturing (U) Limited, Hoima Sugar Limited, Movit Products Limited, Kakira Sugar Limited, Mukwano Personal Care Products Limited, Kenlon Industries Limited and Premier Distillers Limited.

After the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the novel coronavirus a global pandemic, it did not take long before #COVID-19 became a national emergency, given its impact on the livelihood of the population and economy.

Globally, firms have redeployed production lines to boost the manufacturing of needed supplies like masks, hand sanitizers, and other medical supplies. We have seen breweries, perfume factories and others switching over to make hand sanitizers instead.

Medical experts have come out to clarify that one of the most effective ways to curb the virus spread is washing hands with water and soap or using alcohol based hand sanitizer to avoid transferring it through hands contact. In light of this clarification, backed by President Yoweri Museveni, Uganda Manufacturers Association convened a meeting to discuss how they could step up and respond to the emerging needs. During that meeting, Simon Kaheru, Public Affairs and Communication Manager, Coca-Cola Beverages Africa, Uganda mooted the idea to interest and encourage UMA members to start manufacturing sanitizers; an idea that was welcomed by the UMA leadership. Uganda Manufacturers Association then resolved to meet with different stakeholders in the industry and pitch this humanitarian idea.

However, the demand of sanitizers coupled with panic buying caused an immediate scarcity and also bred poor quality and ineffective sanitizers on the market – some of them lacking the 60 per cent minimum alcohol content required to effectively kill the virus.

Following an acute shortage of sanitizers on the market, Uganda Manufacturers Association lobbied the government through the Minister of State for Investment to waive off Value Added Tax (VAT) and excise duty on certified manufacturers who had channeled their operations to the production of sanitizers.

This move propelled the conversion of over 7.3 million liters of alcohol into sanitizers to bridge the shortage.

According to Barbara Mulwana, the Chairman UMA, manufacturers readily agreed to support the anti Covid-19 efforts using all means possible.

“It was encouraging to see how resilient the members were despite the current circumstance and the impact it had on their businesses. Their determination and commitment was reassuring,” she said, adding that “We were overwhelmed by the responses and as we speak today, we have over 37 companies manufacturing different medical supplies aimed at fighting the COVID-19 pandemic,” she added.

Following the UMA meeting resolution, CCBA decided to set up the necessary equipment at the Rwenzori Mineral Water facility to start producing sanitizers for use by its retailers across the country and staff which has now been certified by Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS). In partnership with Uganda Manufacturers Association and Bestpak manufactures of sanitizer bottles donated 10,000 bottles and together with CCBA will be contributing 2,500 litres sanitizers to the Ministry of Health.

“We decided to start producing and distributing sanitizers at no cost, with an end goal of reducing the demand on the open market and the pressure that had caused the prices to go up. In our production processes, we follow the WHO guidance on formulations to create effective hand sanitizers,” said Simon Kaheru.

According to Mr. John Tumwesigye, Trade Marketing, Communications and Corporate Affairs Manager at Movit Products Limited, the presence of #Covid-19 provided the lead to start manufacturing sanitizers, hand-wash and bacterial soap. “With our Technology capability, we were able to establish new production lines that enhanced the production of sanitizers. We follow the rules and regulations of the standards of UNBS, are certified and have the quality mark. We are the preferred choice of beauty, comfort and care products in every household thus striving to enhance everyday living” he revealed.

Daniel Birungi, the Executive Director, UMA applauded manufacturers like Coca-Cola Bottling Company Africa (CBBA), Movit Products Limited and the rest for their life changing innovations that have made a difference and improved lives during these unprecedented times.

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ISBAT University, Airtel partner to provide free access to institution’s hybrid virtual learning platform

By
Our Reporter
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ISBAT University and Airtel Uganda officials after signing the partnership agreement

ISBAT University, Airtel Uganda Partner to provide free access to institution’s Hybrid Virtual Learning Platform

ISBAT University has announced a new partnership with Airtel Uganda aimed at providing students with free access to the University’s Hybrid Blended Learning platform using the Airtel internet platform.

The partnership that is in line with the Uganda government’s efforts to ensure safety for everyone as well as education and business continuity from home will see Airtel provide free access to student numbers provided by the university and will be available to all active students of the current semester (Spring 2020).

Commenting about this partnership during the launch, ISBAT University Vice Chancellor Dr. K.M. Mathew noted that World over Universities adopted such learning and assessment practices for the affected semester(s) in order to save the semester and progress academically.

“ISBAT University’s interactive live virtual classes attracted a vast majority of students with lots of encouragement from the University community. The University’s aim is to ensure that our students are not at disadvantage due to the prolonged closure of the University in the lockdown period and we sincerely hope to save the semester in a timely manner,” he noted.

Airtel Uganda Managing Director Mr. V.G. Somasekhar congratulated ISBAT University upon this essential innovation and encouraged the students to utilize this opportunity to further their education.

Since the lockdown of all Education facilities in March 2020, Airtel Uganda has put in place a number of interventions to ensure Ugandans continue to access their education materials. The telecommunications company recently partnered with Avaya Holdings Corp. (NYSE: AVYA), as well as a number of online education providers to implement remote learning initiatives.

The collaboration between Airtel and ISBAT is going to be a paradigm shift in the higher education sector of Uganda, especially during this unprecedented pandemic situation. Students will greatly benefit by this unique arrangement, as they will be able to continue with the academic progress in an uninterrupted manner with more enthusiasm and high academic spirit, without spending anything for expensive internet data.

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Minister Janet Museveni clears E-Learning

By
Geoffery Serugo
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First Lady and Minister for Education and Sports, Janet Museveni.

First Lady and Education Minister Janet Museveni has said that the government has not banned E-Learning, contrary to social media reports to the contrary.

In an address to the country on how the Education sector is responding to the Covid-19 pandemic, Mrs Museveni indicated that the Education Ministry is drafting guidelines that will further streamline E-learning in the country.

“What we are doing as a Sector is to put forward a comprehensive sector-wide agenda to guide delivery of formal Education through e-learning mechanisms because it has implications on quality of education for the country and its citizens,”Mrs Museveni said.
She added: “Once the ICT and E-Learning Framework is complete, we shall communicate it to our stakeholders and the public at large because you all deserve to know,”

Mrs Museveni said that there has been a misconception in the media that the Ministry of Education and Sports prohibited e-learning, clarifying that “it is absolutely not true”.

“We cannot be the ones banning what we are promoting. A number of institutions including Uganda Christian University, Makerere University and several International Schools in Basic and Secondary levels have been utilizing e-learning; even before the outbreak of COVID-19,”Mrs Museveni said.

E-learning has been spearhead by Kampala Primary School, which has been conducting digital learning for all its students during the lockdown.

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Stop peddling lies- Sudhir’s lawyers hit back at BoU

By
Geoffery Serugo
-

 

Kampala Associated Advocates (KAA), one of Kampala’s top law firms representing property mogul, Dr Sudhir Ruparelia, has strongly come out to deny the claims raised by Bank of Uganda (BoU), following a victorious decision rendered by the Court of Appeal in favour of the businessman recently.

The lawyers branded BoU’ s wild allegations contained in their June 30 press statement as “inaccurate”.

To that effect, KAA has appealed to the central bank to appeal to the final court in the land (Supreme Court) if it’s aggrieved rather than resorting to taking its bitterness to the media and criticizing the courts of law.

About a fortnight ago, the Court of Appeal in a unanimous verdict, dismissed the Shs397b appeal by BoU that it had filed against Dr Ruparelia.

The three justices led by Acting Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny Dollo, were in agreement with the Commercial Court that once Crank Bank went into recievership, it lost it’s capacity under the Financial Institutions Act, to sue the property mogul because it had become a non-existent entity.

“Bank of Uganda should not be allowed to disrespect the courts when it is the one that went to the courts to seek redress in the first place. If they are unhappy with the decision of the court, the legal remedy is to file an appeal and not to criticise the court in the press,” Dr Ruparelia’s lawyers wrote in their July 2 rebutal letter.

Adding: “In both the High Court and Court of Appeal, Bank of Uganda addressed the courts arging them to ignore the fact that it had no case anyway. Bank of Uganda was inviting the courts to ignore the law. Both courts rejected this legally untenable plea that is now being made in the press.”

The lawyers also refuted BoU’ s allegations that Dr Ruparelia owned 100% shares in the then Crane Bank.

Putting the record straight on this claim, the lawyers state that all shareholders of Crane Bank were vetted and approved by the same central bank in accordance with the Financial Institutions Act.

KAA further punched holes in the allegations raised by BoU that money was extracted from Crane Bank.

“Crane Bank was subjected to numerous annual, quarterly and special audits and all it’s financial statements were approved every year by the Bank of Uganda without reservation of any kind,” KAA puts the record straight.

The other allegation raised by Bank of Uganda in its press statement was that tax payers’ money was used to settle Crane Bank depositors .
However, KAA has hit back by clarifying that the same allegation was not part of the issues that were determined by the two courts and that it is an allegation disguised to away public opinion.

In the aftermath of losing the second case against the businessman, the central bank released a press statement vowing to appeal to the Supreme Court.

It argues that both the High Court and the Court of Appeal are wrong to hold that when Crane Bank went into recievership, it lost it’s capacity to “sue” and “to be sued”

“Bank of Uganda maintains that recievership does not take away the corporate personality of a company which includes the right to sue for these assets. For the these reasons, BoU as the reciever of Crane Bank is dissatisfied with the rulings of both the High Court and the Court of Appeal and has taken a decision to appeal to the Supreme Court in addition to pursuit of other legal recovery options,” Prof. Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile, the governor BoU wrote in June 30.

He continued: “BoU wishes to reassure the public that it is committed to pursuing this matter to it’s logical conclusion.”
Prof. Mutebile further wrote and invited the public to note that neither the High Court nor the Court of Appeal has not yet considered or taken a decision on the claims for wrongful and illegal extraction of funds from then Crane Bank as claimed in the main suit that was filed in Commercial Court in 2017.

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