A health worker engaging a fellow to end FGM. Courtesy Photo
World Health Organization (WHO) has called for urgent measures to end the rising “medicalization” of female genital mutilation (FGM) and to engage health workers to prevent the practice.

While the health sector plays a key role in stopping FGM and supporting survivors, evidence from several parts of the world suggests the practice is increasingly being performed by health workers.

As of 2020, an estimated 52 million girls and women had undergone FGM at the hands of health workers — around 1 in 4 cases.

The new WHO recommendations, titled The prevention of female genital mutilation and clinical management of complications, provide a framework to both prevent the practice and ensure evidence-based care for survivors, covering actions for the health sector, governments, and affected communities.

“Female genital mutilation is a severe violation of girls’ rights and critically endangers their health,” said Dr. Pascale Allotey, WHO’s Director for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, and the United Nations’ Special Programme for Human Reproduction (HRP).

Dr. Pascale added, “The health sector has an essential role in preventing FGM — health workers must be agents for change rather than perpetrators of this harmful practice, and must also provide high-quality medical care for those suffering its effects.”

Typically carried out on young girls before they reach puberty, FGM includes all procedures that remove or injure parts of the female genitalia for non-medical reasons. Evidence shows that, no matter who performs it, FGM causes serious harm. Some studies suggest it can even be more dangerous when performed by health workers, resulting in deeper, more severe cuts. Medicalizing the practice also risks legitimizing it and undermining broader efforts to eliminate it.

For these reasons, WHO recommends that professional codes of conduct explicitly prohibit health workers from performing FGM. Recognizing their respected role within communities, the organization also emphasizes the need to positively engage and train health workers for prevention. Sensitive communication approaches can help them effectively refuse requests to perform FGM, while informing communities about its serious immediate and long-term health risks.

“Research shows that health workers can be influential opinion leaders in changing attitudes on FGM, and play a crucial role in its prevention,” said Christina Pallitto, Scientist at WHO and HRP who led the development of the new measures. “Engaging doctors, nurses and midwives should be a key element in FGM prevention and response, as countries seek to end the practice and protect the health of women and girls.”

Alongside effective laws and policies, WHO stresses the importance of community education and information-sharing. Awareness-raising activities that involve men and boys can be particularly effective in increasing knowledge about FGM, promoting girls’ rights, and driving changes in attitudes.

In addition to prevention, the new recommendations include clinical approaches to ensure empathetic, high-quality medical care for FGM survivors. Given the extent of both short- and long-term health complications resulting from the practice, survivors may need a range of health services at different life stages, from mental health care to management of obstetric risks and, where appropriate, surgical repairs.

Evidence shows that, with the right commitment and support, it is possible to end FGM. Countries such as Burkina Faso, Sierra Leone, and Ethiopia have seen reductions in prevalence among 15–19-year-olds over the past 30 years by as much as 50%, 35%, and 30% respectively, thanks to collective action and strong political will to enforce bans and accelerate prevention.

Since 1990, the likelihood of a girl undergoing genital mutilation has decreased by threefold. However, the practice remains common in some 30 countries worldwide, and an estimated 4 million girls are still at risk each year.

Stories Continues after ad

By Ambassador Henry Mayega

It’s the most tantalizing “what if” Uganda hadn’t intervened to stop the most recent fall out between President Salva Kiir of South Sudan and his VP, Riek Machar. Africa’s and the world’s youngest country has, over the years, been engulfed in bouts of unrest; the years 2013, 2014 and 2018 exemplify that turmoil. Some with a cognitive deficit, most especially from the recessing opposition political canvass – and they fit the bill, have rebutted Uganda’s most recent intervention in South Sudan which, if, it wasn’t for Yoweri Museveni’s proven and uncompromising security credentials and safe pair of hands, that country’s political blisters would badly fester.

First, when the British colonizers and their Egyptian collaborators granted self rule to Sudan in 1956, that duo bequeathed to the Sudanese rulers a fractious country torn between the rich, muslim and majorly Arabic north and the poor, Christian and animist south. That divide would later lead to the Anyanya wars of the 1950s – 1972 and, 1983 – 2005. Uganda, given that it shared a long common border with the original Sudan, suffered the brunt of constant refugee inflows which, simultaneously, posed security risks because the Sudanese always yearned to, belligerently, go home.

Secondly, when the south divorced and became independent from Sudan in 2011, that cured one portion of the problem but not the other: which is the acrimony betwixt, majorly, Sudan’s biggest tribes; the Dinka (two fifths of the population) and the Nuer (one fifth of the population). Sudan’s other smaller tribes include the Zande, Bari, Shilluk, Murle, Anuak, Acholi, Kuku, Kakwa, Bviri, Dungatona, Ndogom Linda, Baka amongst others. That divisiveness has, in the long haul, debilitated the young state’s democracy that South Sudan is since 2011 henceforth sparking political maneuvering and paddy-power’s bets; which is why in the spirit of galvanizing pan-africanism and “east-africanism,” the Yoweri Museveni administration has relentlessly, unlike its predecessors, sought to resolve the South Sudan political question since 1986.

Thirdly, Sudan, further to the north, has had its fair share of anarchy since the separation; there’s a disquietude that the debilitating civil war pitting two antagonists, Generals Abdul Fattah Al Burhan and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo against each other could have ripple effects in South Sudan henceforth opening up a wider regional hot-bath area of conflict with far reaching reverberations.
It would have been an egregious dereliction of duty if Museveni, Uganda’s best President since independence, didn’t expeditiously intervene in the most recent fall-out in South Sudan; that exertion on his part stopped another unpleasant bout of refugee inflows into Uganda which is already glutted with over 1.7m refugees – our country’s choicest refugee policy notwithstanding.

Fourthly, folks need to, also, understand that as one of the guarantors of peace in South Sudan, Uganda is duty-bound to intervene in case of any tumult in the world’s youngest country. We didn’t invade our neighbor as some with a penchant against the President and the UPDF have imputed; we were mutually invited to put out the smoldering political embers; metaphorically, the UPDF’s professionalism, unlike its predecessors namely the UA and UNLA, has severally passed the litmus test regarding peace enforcement and keeping; that vanguard of peace has commendably done a splendid job in Somalia, the DRC and the CAR and lately in South Sudan.

Fifthly, Uganda and South Sudan share an elongated common border of over 435Kms (270Mls); meaning that any dereliction of duty on the part of Uganda by shrugging off vulnerabilities in that neighborhood would most probably subject our country to the ignominy of cross-border insecurity spillovers. Apart from the DRC, Uganda shares the longest common border with South Sudan in the EAC region; we can’t therefore afford the luxury of glossing over our mutual security concerns.

The naysayers in our midst should also know involuntarily that warring in South Sudan can potentially disrupt cross border trade; for beginners, 150,000 Ugandans are currently doing business in South Sudan. Uganda has also been exporting goods and services to our northern neighbor worth $546.4m annually; those exports have been fledgling at an annual rate of 12.2% for the last five years. There are, in addition, a lot of ongoing infrastructural development contracts plus, there are plans to construct a game-changing railway line between the two countries.

Lastly but not least, fostering in particular regional integration and in general, pan-africanism, requires tested leadership like Yoweri Museveni’s; his administration has, in a protracted fashion exhibited equality to the job; the less sagacious in our midst have had their optics exclusively on taking power without due regard to economic dynamics. Essentially, Museveni is miles ahead of them because when he actively pacifies neighborhoods including South Sudan, that simultaneously ensures the growth of gargantuan regional markets and those in the yonder for the benefit of Uganda’s wealth creators.

Stories Continues after ad

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) commends the Republic of Uganda for officially declaring the end of its eighth outbreak of Sudan Ebola Virus Disease (SVD).
Since the last reported case on 2 March 2025 and the discharge of the final patient from the treatment centre on 14 March 2025, the country has recorded no new infections for 42 consecutive days. Health authorities reported a total of fourteen cases (12 confirmed and two probable). which resulted in four deaths (case fatality rate, CFR= 28.6%).
“Having recorded no cases amidst sustained surveillance efforts, I now officially declare the current Sudan Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in Uganda to be over,” said Hon. Dr Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero, Minister of Health of Uganda, in a statement.
All ten patients who were admitted for treatment recovered. They have since enrolled in the survivors’ care program for psychosocial support and other recovery services. These survivors have been successfully reintegrated into their communities and no longer pose a risk of transmission. Additionally, out of 534 identified contacts, 85.2% were successfully quarantined and closely monitored throughout the response.
Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC, extended his warm congratulations to the Government and People of Uganda, particularly H.E. President Yoweri Museveni and the Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, for their exemplary leadership during the outbreak.
“This success reflects not only scientific and operational excellence, but also the strength of African unity and leadership. Uganda has demonstrated that collective action and resilience can overcome even the most formidable public health challenges,” said Dr. Kaseya.
He added: “The end of this Ebola outbreak highlights Uganda’s strong leadership, swift action, and effective coordination, serving as a model of best practice for outbreak response on the continent. The successful containment and recovery of all admitted patients demonstrate the strength of Uganda’s health system and the impact of action-oriented partnerships.”
After confirmation of the outbreak on 30 January 2025, Uganda swiftly implemented comprehensive interventions, including active surveillance, enhanced contact tracing, case isolation and treatment, mortality surveillance, and extensive public awareness campaigns. These measures enabled rapid containment of the outbreak, despite the absence of approved vaccines or specific treatments for the Sudan strain of the Ebola virus.
Uganda’s outbreak response was further reinforced through continental collaboration. Throughout the response, Africa CDC remained a close partner to Uganda’s Ministry of Health, providing critical technical assistance and operational support to bolster national efforts.

Following the declaration of the outbreak, Africa CDC promptly responded to the government’s call for support, deploying a multidisciplinary team of experts from Africa CDC and the African Volunteer Health Corps (AVoHC). Working closely with Uganda’s Ministry of Health and partner organizations, the team supported a range of response efforts with a strong emphasis on community engagement.
Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC, underscored this approach, stating, “Local leaders and communities were central to this success. Through trust-building, education, and grassroots involvement, fear and misinformation were replaced with informed action and cooperation.”
In total, Africa CDC deployed 15 public health emergency response specialists across critical areas, including coordination, surveillance, infection prevention and control (IPC), risk communication, community engagement, pharmacovigilance, and research activities. To strengthen community-based efforts, Africa CDC facilitated the training of 897 community health workers in surveillance and risk communication, and trained 80 surveillance officers in case detection and alert management.
Further, 40 IPC mentors were dispatched to high-risk districts to assess healthcare facilities and provide on-site support and mentorship. Laboratory testing and genomic sequencing capacity were bolstered through the donation of field diagnostic kits, playing a crucial role in interrupting transmission chains and preventing further spread of the virus.
Africa CDC’s ongoing support also focuses on strengthening future preparedness, including the implementation of key research studies such as a sero-survey to evaluate population exposure to the virus, the provision of a genomic sequencing machine, and the delivery of $4.3 million worth of emergency supplies and cold chain equipment.

Stories Continues after ad

At the African Troop Contributing Countries (ATCC) Summit held at State House Entebbe, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni emphasized the critical need for African nations to reject divisive politics and adopt unity, volunteerism and self-reliance in rebuilding fragile states.

Welcoming the visiting heads of state and delegations, Museveni reflected on Africa’s history of trade, coexistence, and indigenous wealth creation, warning that sectarianism based on tribe, religion, or clan is “poisonous” and undermines the continent’s prosperity.

“In our traditional societies, despite rigid tribal customs, we never imposed our way of life on others. We respected the principle of live and let live,” he said.

Museveni outlined the four ideological pillars that, he said, rescued Uganda from the brink of collapse after decades of conflict: patriotism, Pan-Africanism, social-economic transformation, and democracy.

He noted that prosperity for African communities depends not just on local markets but on the broader East African and African integration.

“You need East Africa and Africa for your prosperity,” he stressed, underlining the importance of Pan-Africanism in today’s interconnected economies.

Turning to Somalia’s ongoing struggles, Museveni advised that building strong volunteer national armies is more sustainable for collapsed states than relying on small, salaried forces.

Drawing from Uganda’s own experience, he recounted how a small group of volunteer fighters, trained in Mozambique in the 1970s, grew into a force that ultimately toppled Idi Amin’s regime in 1979.

“A people with a just cause can build a capable force quickly and affordably,” he said, adding that financial constraints should not be a barrier to national salvation.

He warned against the “under-dozing” approach to Somalia’s security crisis, arguing that a weak Somali National Army and small AMISOM contingents had allowed insecurity to persist.

“Al-Shabaab is a weak force,” Museveni insisted, “but it has been given too much space and time because of insufficient troop deployment.”

The President reaffirmed Uganda’s readiness to contribute more troops if properly funded stressing that African solutions must be prioritized for African problems.

Museveni also urged leaders to resist identity-based politics and work together to build prosperous, democratic, and resilient African nations.

“Those who insist on clan and sectarian organization, whether out of greed or ignorance, are mortal enemies of Africa’s future,” Museveni warned.

Stories Continues after ad

Brigadier General Godfrey Muwanguzi, Deputy Chief Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), has launched a four-day working visit to Buvuma Island, with a primary focus on evaluating the impact of the Parish Development Model (PDM) and inspecting the progress of the National Oil Palm Project (NOPP).

During his visit, Brig Gen Muwanguzi toured oil palm plantations and held key dialogues with investors and community leaders, emphasizing the need to strengthen local partnerships and maximize the benefits of government programs. His engagement aimed to assess how PDM is reshaping livelihoods and boosting economic development in Buvuma’s rural communities.

At a meeting with district officials, Muwanguzi urged local leaders to learn from Kalangala’s success in oil palm farming, and to adopt more proactive strategies to drive similar progress in Buvuma. “We must remain united in our pursuit of government goals for social and economic transformation,” he stressed.

He also underscored the importance of the Four Cs—Command, Control, Timely Communication, and Effective Coordination—as key pillars for successful implementation of both the PDM and the oil palm initiative.

Resident District Commissioner Jacqueline Birungi welcomed the visit, describing it as a source of renewed motivation for local leadership. Chief Administrative Officer Mboogo Issa acknowledged the strides made in improving livelihoods through oil palm cultivation, which has led to better education, infrastructure, housing, and nutrition.

However, he noted persistent challenges including delays in landowner compensation, slow disbursement of PDM funds, late payments to tenant farmers, and transport constraints that continue to affect full realization of the project’s potential.

District Chairperson Adrian Ddungu Wasswa applauded President Yoweri Museveni for championing financial inclusion through PDM, attributing the model’s growing impact to the collaborative approach of OWC and the dedication of local coordinators.

Since its inception in 2019, the Buvuma oil palm project has achieved the planting of 2,600 hectares out of a planned 8,584. The first harvest, recorded in October 2024, has sparked optimism for the project’s future, despite ongoing hurdles.

Stories Continues after ad

In a bid to end the global crisis of adolescent pregnancy, the World Health Organization (WHO) has urged governments and stakeholders to prioritize girls’ education, economic empowerment and access to reproductive health services.

This guideline targets the leading cause of death among 15–19-year-old girls: complications from early pregnancy.

WHO calls for rapid and coordinated action to end child marriage, ensure girls stay in school, and improve access to adolescent-friendly health information and services. These steps are crucial to reversing the cycle of early pregnancies, which continue to impact millions of young girls, especially in low and middle-income countries.

“Early pregnancies can have serious physical and psychological consequences for girls and young women, and often reflect fundamental inequalities that affect their ability to shape their relationships and their lives,” said Dr Pascale Allotey, Director of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research at WHO.

Dr. Pascale added, “Tackling this issue means creating conditions where girls and young women can thrive—by ensuring they stay in school, are protected from violence, and have access to health services that respect their rights.”

More than 21 million adolescent girls become pregnant each year in low- and middle-income countries, with around half of these pregnancies being unintended. The consequences extend beyond health risks, impacting girls’ education, social standing, and long-term employment prospects—often trapping them and their families in cycles of poverty.

The WHO guideline emphasizes that strengthening girls’ education, financial independence, and job opportunities can provide viable alternatives to early marriage and childbearing. It also recommends laws that prohibit marriage before age 18, community engagement to change harmful social norms, and incentive-based programs—such as scholarships or stipends—to encourage girls to complete their secondary education.

“Early marriage denies girls their childhood and has severe consequences for their health,” said Dr Sheri Bastien, Scientist for Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health at WHO. “Education is critical to changing the future for young girls, while empowering adolescents—both boys and girls—to understand consent, make informed choices, and challenge the gender inequalities that fuel child marriage and teen pregnancy.”

Additionally, the guideline stresses the importance of comprehensive sexuality education and ensuring adolescents can access a full range of contraceptive options without barriers such as mandatory parental consent. Access to safe, respectful care during and after pregnancy, including safe abortion services where legal, is also highlighted as essential.

While global progress has been made with adolescent birth rates decreasing in many regions alarming disparities remain. In some countries, as many as 1 in 10 girls aged 15–19 still give birth each year. The WHO’s latest effort seeks to build on past successes and galvanize further action to protect the health and rights of adolescent girls worldwide.

Stories Continues after ad

The call to modernize Uganda’s employment laws and improve worker compensation took center stage at the 3rd Annual National Labour Convention and Expo, which opened on Wednesday,23 at the Mestil Hotel, Kampala.

Betty Amongi Ochom, Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, delivered a keynote address emphasizing the urgent need to align Uganda’s labor laws with the changing world of work, particularly the rise of online and gig-based employment among youth.

“Our laws must reflect the evolving nature of employment,” Amongi said. “Online jobs are now a major source of income for many young Ugandans. We must regulate and support this sector to ensure fairness and protection for all workers.”

She noted that a growing number of Ugandans, especially young people, are earning income through digital platforms yet most remain outside the protections offered by traditional labor laws.

Amongi urged stakeholders to reimagine labor policy to better reflect this new reality.

Amongi also addressed the inadequate worker compensation. She raised concern about the persistent reports of injured workers being denied rightful compensation and called for stricter enforcement of the Workers Compensation Act.

“We continue to receive complaints, and that’s unacceptable,” she said. “We must strengthen our collaboration with employers and trade unions to ensure that no injured worker is left behind.”

The two-day event is themed “Strengthening Compliance to Employment Law: A Prerequisite for Decent Jobs, Economic Empowerment and Inclusive Growth.” It was officially opened by Third Deputy Prime Minister Lukia Isanga Nakadama, representing the Prime Minister, who reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a fair and just labor environment.

Dr. Aggrey David Kibenge, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry tackled the ongoing initiatives to digitize labor administration systems, efforts that emanate from commitments made during the previous year’s expo. He emphasized that this year’s convention aims to foster deeper understanding and practical enforcement of labor laws across various sectors.

Mr. Douglas Opio, CEO of the Federation of Uganda Employers (FUE), stressed the increasing relevance of labor and employment issues in Uganda’s national development agenda, particularly regarding job creation and workforce protection.

Throughout the convention, speakers provided valuable insights into Uganda’s evolving labor landscape. DFCU Bank Managing Director Mr. Charles Mudiwa delivered a keynote titled “Preparing Uganda’s Workforce for Decent Work as a Means for Inclusive Economic Development,” while Dr. Phiona Mpanga of Makerere University’s School of Law spoke on “Employment Law Compliance as a Driver of Inclusive Growth in Uganda.”

Commissioner for Labour, Industrial Relations and Productivity, Mr. Alex Asiimwe, offered a comprehensive overview of the current labor environment and announced the upcoming launch of a national job-matching platform designed to boost employment opportunities across the country.

A key highlight of the event was a panel discussion on “Navigating the Future of Work in Uganda: Ensuring Fair Employment Practices and Legal Compliance in a Technology-Driven Workplace.” Panelists from the legal, tech, finance, and labor sectors including experts from ILO PROSPECTS, SafeBoda, Post Bank Uganda, and the Ministry of Gender discussed challenges and solutions within Uganda’s expanding gig economy.

Running alongside the convention is an expo showcasing tools and resources on labor rights and legal compliance. Organizers hope the forum will generate actionable strategies for strengthening labor governance and advancing decent work for all Ugandans.

Stories Continues after ad

Re: False Allegations by Professor Badru Kateregga

I wish to address the recent allegations made by my husband, Professor Badru Kateregga, which have been widely circulated in the media and on online platforms. These allegations — claiming that I assaulted him and attempted to take over his businesses and property — are completely false, malicious, and have caused immense emotional and psychological distress to me and our children.

Our Relationship & Contribution to Kampala University

I met Professor Kateregga in 2010 as a young university student. Despite my parents’ objections due to our age difference, I chose to marry him in 2012, believing in the love and future he promised. I committed myself wholly to our marriage and to supporting the growth of Kampala University, which was struggling at the time.

As a member of the Board of Trustees and Director of Finance and Marketing, I worked tirelessly to stabilize and expand the institution. I helped pay off debts and drive student enrollment, efforts that led to the establishment of new branches in Uganda and beyond.

Throughout our marriage, I balanced this demanding work with my roles as wife, mother to our three children, and caregiver to Professor Kateregga during his numerous health challenges. I also oversaw the care of his mother. I remained committed to our home and family even when our marriage faced serious challenges — primarily due to his repeated infidelity, some of which involved university students.

False Allegations & Health Misrepresentations

In September 2024, Professor Kateregga suddenly left our home, claiming he needed medical care from his older children. Unknown to me, he underwent tests at various hospitals. Contrary to the allegations of assault, hospital reports confirmed he had blood clots — not injuries caused by violence. Scars from surgery to remove those clots are now being misrepresented as wounds I allegedly inflicted.

Despite claims that I held him incommunicado from June to September 2024, he was publicly active — attending functions, funerals, and even traveling abroad. These facts are on public record. It is inconceivable that someone who was allegedly confined could freely appear at public events.

Business Disputes & Legal Action

The breakdown of our relationship appears more tied to business and property disputes.

After our marriage in 2012, I was included in the ownership and management of Kampala University. I was formally co-opted as a company director and member of the Board of Trustees, and I served as Director of Finance and Marketing — a position I executed with dedication to the institution’s growth and success.

Amidst later family discord, Professor Kateregga, alongside others, forged my signature and unlawfully removed me from my roles at the university. I was denied access to university premises and accounts, despite being a director and instrumental to its development.

It is unfortunate and misleading that Professor Kateregga now accuses me of attempting to take over his businesses, despite my rightful involvement and long-standing contributions to Kampala University.

I have since sought legal redress through the High Court (Civil Suit No. 0143 of 2025) and the Family Court for child maintenance (Family Cause 316 of 2024). The Director of Public Prosecutions reviewed the criminal file against me and found no grounds for prosecution, confirming this matter as a civil family dispute — not a criminal case.

Emotional Toll & Plea for Justice

These unfounded accusations have deeply affected me and our children. We have been harassed, humiliated, and subjected to false and degrading narratives. The recent DNA testing — which I did not oppose — was conducted under intimidating circumstances, further traumatizing our children.

My only “crime” appears to be that I am a woman, a wife of Rwandan origin, who dared to stand up for herself and her children. I trusted, served, and supported my husband in all ways possible.

I now ask the media and the public to consider the facts and refrain from judging me based on one-sided accounts.

I remain committed to seeking justice through the appropriate legal channels. I only ask for fairness, dignity, and the opportunity to tell my story without fear or persecution. My prayer is for the truth to be known, and for God to vindicate me and my children.

Issued by:

Mrs. Jolly Shubaiha Kateregga

April 2025

Stories Continues after ad