NEWS: HIV researchers target an African-focused agenda

HIV researchers target an African-focused agenda


from NEW VISION ONLINE
Sunday, 24th January, 2010

Students interact with Scientists at UVRI. The centre hopes to train future scientists to help fight the disease

By Gladys Kalibbala


THE World Health Organisation (WHO) has proposed to change the time when people living with HIV start on ARVs. Dr. Kihumuro Apuuli, the director of Uganda Aids Commission, says WHO recommends that people living with HIV start on ARVs when their CD4 count is below 350 and not 250 as has been the case. “This means about 700,000 people will be eligible for the drugs which we cannot afford,” he explained. Kihumuro was speaking at the recently concluded 5th African Aids Vaccine Programme (AAVP) conference at Serena Hotel in Kampala. He said, currently, of the 400,000 people in Uganda who require ARVs, only 191,500 access them. Kihumuro said: “This is a big challenge on the African continent and we need a vaccine to be found urgently.” Participants at the conference noted that Africans needed to take advantage of the AAVP Secretariat’s shift to Uganda to concentrate on finding an AIDS vaccine and reduce the spread of the disease on the continent. The headquarters of AAVP which have been based in Geneva since 2000 will soon be transferred to Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI), Entebbe. Uganda beat Botswana and South Africa to host the organisation. Uganda was selected because of the Government’s commitment and the good research environment. AAVP is a network of African HIV vaccine stakeholders led by Africans across the continent, with a vision for an AIDS-free Africa. It was created with the specific intention of mobilising support and advocating a more African-focused vaccine agenda. The programme intends to involve Africans in the development of the vaccine supported by WHO and United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). During the conference, it was noted that the AIDS pandemic continues to be the most serious public health challenge facing the world today, with Africa having the highest infections with unprecedented medical and socio-economic consequences. “The best hope to end the AIDS pandemic remains in the development of an effective HIV vaccine and its distribution to all communities,” said Dr. Ponsiano Kaleebu, the acting director of UVRI. He says 30 years after the first cases of AIDS were reported and HIV identified as a the cause, Africa, with only 10% of the world’s population, is home to more than 65% of the 33 million people living with AIDS worldwide. Researchers say the annual rate of new infections continues to rise. For instance, in 2007, about 2.5 million people were infected. According to the 2006 UNAIDS report, about 40 million people worldwide are infected with HIV, 62% of them in Sub-Saharan Africa. The report adds that about 25 million people have so far died worldwide as the infection rate increases to an estimated 4.3 million people annually. However, only about one million HIV-infected people currently receive antiretroviral therapy in sub-Saharan Africa. “This shows that treatment alone cannot help, we need a vaccine to halt the spread,” Dr Sam Okware, the commissioner for health services at the health ministry observes. He adds that developing an effective HIV vaccine is the greatest challenge in biomedical research. Prof. Fred Wabwire of Makerere University Walter Reed Project noted that many women drop out of the vaccine trials and called for their participation. “It will be unfortunate if we come up with a vaccine which works for men without knowledge of how it works for women,” he said. The researchers urged African leaders to embrace the programme by showing their support through funding. Jeannette Kagame, the First Lady of Rwanda, was appointed AAVP’s ambassador and will represent the association at various meetings and policy forums. Kagame urged leaders to raise an awareness of Africa’s concerns at the international level and stop downplaying the gravity of the pandemic since this may hinder the vaccine’s development process. Likewise, Janet Museveni, the First Lady of Uganda, called for other preventive measures alongside the ABC (abstinence, be faithful and condom use) strategy if the pandemic is to be curbed. There was also a call to control TB which has become more challenging. It was noted that the existing BCG vaccine is ineffective against the disease and poses risks in HIV-infected children. There was also a call to control TB which has become a challenge with the emergency of multi-drug resistant strains, especially in people living with HIV. Researchers highlighted the need for boosting BCG vaccine to meet this challenge

NEWS: Alcoholism is on the increase in Uganda and needs to be curbed

Alcoholism is on the increase in Uganda and needs to be curbed

There are growing concerns among health workers over Ugandans’ drinking patterns. Surveys have shown an alarming rate of alcohol consumption across the country, writes Egan Tabaro.
“I had never lived on my own before and this school had so much freedom and this was the time I was discovering myself,” he says. In his S.2, he joined the school’s Scripture Union, where he prayed and studied the Bible as he often did at home.

Soon, he made new friends and together, they would sneak out of school, mostly to watch a movie and eat roast pork in Mbarara Town and have a drink in the name of “experimenting”. By S.4, he had begun to drink regularly as he had both the company and money for it. For his A’levels, he joined Greenhill Academy, an elite day school in Kampala. His drinking continued and he often sneaked alcohol in sachets into school but still managed to perform well enough in class to escape notice from his teachers and parents.

In his S.6 vacation, Bosco broke up with his girlfriend. He was devastated and it was then that he says he lost control over his drinking. He was drinking daily and quite heavily and one time drank himself into a coma before he was admitted to a hospital. “But I still didn’t realiseI was a rehab case,” Mugisha says, adding that he was in denial. What followed then was a two-month dry spell (in which he didn’t take alcohol) but this didn’t last. when he joined university, the drinking started all over again.

For him, university life was one long party - more drinking, more girls, and more beers. He often got into bar brawls and was twice locked up by police for violent behaviour. He suffered blackouts from binge drinking and even stole from family, friends and his girlfriends to finance his habit. His drinking changed his personality and an otherwise amiable fellow soon became rude, arrogant and distant. “Alcohol dehumanised me completely,” he says. Soon, he was unable to sit tests and exams at university and his parents often took him in and out of rehab. He dropped out of university. He had hit rock bottom. Now, as he nurses an injury sustained from a drunken fall, he has been sober for four months and is now born again. “The compassion of people around me, my involvement with Victory Rehabilitation Centre, Salongo Kanda Road, Bweyogerere Kampala and my faith in Christ have helped me remain sober,” he says.

The facts and statistics

Alcoholism is a chronic disease marked by a craving for alcohol; people who suffer from it, known as alcoholics, can’t control their drinking even when it becomes the underlying cause of serious harm including medical disorders, marital difficulties, job loss or car accidents. People tend to equate any kind of excessive drinking to alcoholism but doctors and scientists prefer to use the term alcohol dependence instead of alcoholism to designate less severe disorders resulting from immoderate drinking.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 140 million people (approximately two per cent) suffer from alcohol related disorders. A WHO Global Status report on alcohol estimates that Ugandans consume an average 19.4 litres of alcohol per capita annually. A Ministry of Health baseline survey of 14 districts found the mean prevalence of alcohol abuse to be 17.4 per cent while surveys from hospital admissions found that up to 20 per cent of the cases are alcohol related.

According to psychiatrist Dr David Basangwa of Butabika Hospital, the average first age of drinking in Uganda is 10 to12 years and that 60 per cent of those who seek treatment at Butabika’s Alcohol and Drug Unit are aged 13 to 21. Research has shown that people who drink before the age of 15 are more likely to become alcohol dependent than those who delay their first drink to 21 years.

There are an estimated 26 registered breweries licensed to operate in Uganda although most of the alcohol consumed is produced informally in homes or from unregistered small scale distillers and brewers, making it difficult for authorities to regulate alcohol production, sale and consumption in the country.

Scientists have not identified a typical alcoholic personality, and they can’t predict with certainty which drinkers will progress to alcoholism. Statistics show that alcoholism affects a broad cross-section of society around the world, from labourers, homemakers, successful business executives and academics to church members of all denominations. Scientists cannot point out any single cause of alcoholism but research suggests that genetic, psychological and social factors influence its development.

Studies show that alcoholism runs in families - alcoholics are six times more likely than non-alcoholics to have blood relatives who are alcohol dependent. Research conducted in twins showed that patterns of alcoholism differed among identical twins who share identical genes and fraternal twins, who are genetically different. If one twin becomes alcohol-dependent, an identical twin is more likely to develop alcohol dependence than a fraternal one.

Environmental factors that may affect the development of the disease include personal
behavioural skills, peer influences early in life, parental behaviour, societal and cultural attitudes toward alcohol use and availability of alcohol beverages. It is argued that once a person has established a drinking pattern, environmental factors combined with physical changes induced by heavy drinking may reinforce the continued use of alcohol.

NEWS: Uganda stamps out Guinea worm disease

Uganda stamps out Guinea worm disease

from the DAILY MONITOR

Since 1991, Uganda has been campaigning to eradicate the Guinea worm. 18 years later, the ancient parasitic disease has been completely eliminated from the country, according to the World Health Organisation, making it the second major disease after smallpox to be wiped out.Guinea worm disease which is scientifically called dracunculiasis is a parasitic worm infection that has been endemic in African countries such as Uganda, South Sudan, Mali, Ghana and Nigeria. Health experts say the eradication of the disease will contribute to the reduction of the huge disease burden that the country still faces.

Costly parasite

According to Dr John Bosco Rwakimari, a former national coordinator for the Guinea worm eradication programme, treating the disease was costing the country up to $20m annually. “When we started interventions to fight the disease, we were spending $15m annually. In 1995, we intensified our campaign, drilling more than 2,000 at a cost of Shs15m in the affected areas,” Dr Rwakimari said.Dr Peter Langi, the coordinator of the Uganda Guinea Worm Eradication Programme (UGWEP) said although the worm rarely kills, blisters that occur from the effects of the worm can result in secondary infections including long term disability. People get infected when they drink water containing flea that is infected with the larvae of the Guinea worm.

Worm symptoms

When in the body, the larvae matures and grows as long as three feet, and after one year, it emerges through a painful cancerous blister in the skin, causing long term pain and suffering.“It starts with a swelling, then itching and a blister before the worm comes out. To get the worm out, you get a small piece of stick and roll the worm slowly out of the blister,” he explains.Dr Langi said that while the process of removing the worm is easy, complications can sometimes arise when it breaks into two and fails to come out. “Victims should not dare to speed the process of pulling out the worm because it may snap into two and the part left inside can cause permanent deformities,” he said.To stop its spread, health workers teach affected people to stay away from contaminated water supplies. Water filters have also been distributed to the communities to be used to block water fleas from water sources. This is largely the strategy that has been used to eradicate the disease.Dr Langi said in 1991, there were 126,369 cases of guinea worm reported in Uganda. The most endemic areas were Arua, Moyo, Kitgum, Kotido and Moroto.But these figures continued reducing until they reached 316 by 1999 and to single digits by 2002. In the last six years, starting in 2004, no single worm was found to have infected a person, thus clearing the country of the disease.

“When the survey was done , we found that most of the heavily affected areas had low water coverage and the people who had the disease were not seeking medical treatment and because they kept using the same contaminated water sources, they were repeatedly infected,’’ Dr Langi said.

NEWS:Uganda to start aerial spraying of tsetse flies

Uganda to start aerial spraying of tsetse flies

Monday, 21st September, 2009 from NEW VISION

UGANDA is to start aerial spraying to eradicate tsetse flies, which cause sleeping sickness in humans and nagana in cattle. Uganda is one of the 37 sub-Sahara African countries infested with tsetse flies. Two-thirds of the country is affected, putting about nine million people at risk of contracting sleeping sickness. About 700 new cases are reported annually. Also, 70% of Uganda’s national herd is at risk of contracting nagana. Agriculture minister Hope Mwesigye said aerial spraying would be carried out in the south-eastern and north-western regions, which are heavily-infested with three major tsetse fly species which cause an acute form of sleeping sickness, as well as another chronic form of the disease. “We have been having many interventions such as tsetse traps, but we are now looking at spraying, which is an area-wide approach. The tsetse flies keep coming from the game parks, so aerial spraying will eradicate sleeping sickness and nagana. The chemical does not affect humans,” Mwesigye said. She called for investment in research and the development of more effective drugs against sleeping sickness and nagana. “There is no vaccine against this disease and no new drugs are being developed. Currently, there is also a limited range of drugs. These drugs are highly toxic and increasingly becoming ineffective due to drug resistance.” Mwesigye was addressing the 30th international scientific council for trypanosomiasis research and control conference at Speke Resort, Munyonyo yesterday. The minister, however, did not disclose the amount of funds that will be involved in the programme or when it would start. She noted that the programme is in its initial stages and a technical team is jointly being put in place by the health and animal husbandry ministries. The districts infested with tsetse flies include Mukono, Kayunga, Jinja, Kamuli, Bugiri, Kaliro, Busia, Mayuge, Iganga, Pallisa, Soroti, Tororo, Dokolo, Lira, Kaberamaido, Kalangala and Namutumba. Others are Adjumani, Koboko, Arua, Moyo, Maracha-Terego, Yumbe and Amuru. President Yoweri Museveni, in a speech read by second deputy premier Eriya Kategaya, said Africa is lagging behind in development due to the high burden of preventable diseases. He said Uganda had developed a national programme to eliminate tsetse flies.

NEWS: Cerebral Malaria- Shortage of drugs increases infections

Cerebral Malaria- Shortage of drugs increases infections

Sunday, 6th September, 2009 from NEW VISION


In the past six months, Uganda has seen an increase in cerebral malaria cases, which experts at the Malaria Consortium, an international organisation that controls the disease at all levels, are attributing to a shortage of malaria drugs throughout the country. The Consortium blames the shortage of drugs on poor planning and the stalling of the Global Fund disbursement that was effected early last year. However, when approached, the health ministry officials declined to comment. According to Daniel Kyabiirize, an epidemiologist at the Malaria Consortium, Uganda has over 300,000 cases of malaria a year, and 25% progress to cerebral malaria. Cerebral malaria is a complication of a type of malaria parasite called plasmodium falciparium. It is a more advanced and dangerous form of malaria. It causes neurological disorders and can also lead to death. This condition occurs when malaria goes untreated. Patients experience symptoms between 10 and 35 days after the mosquito bite. The parasites multiply in the body’s blood cells and block the blood’s pathway. This leads to a shortage of oxygen and nutrients in the brain, causing neurological disorders and death. Symptoms Symptoms include high fever, severe headache, drowsiness, unconsciousness, seizures, delirium and confusion. One in nine patients who survive cerebral malaria develops epilepsy. Although 50% of epilepsy cases have had no malaria, the disease is linked to cerebral malaria, especially among children. “Because of the brain involvement with cerebral malaria, patients sometimes get convulsions or seizures,” says David Basangwa, a psychologist at Butabika Hospital. In most cases, epileptic patients seek the help of traditional healers, believing that the disease has spiritual causes. Though medication that helps reduce seizures is prescribed in health centres, it has side effects like drowsiness which interferes with other medications. Dr. Richard Idro, a paediatrician at Mulago Hospital, says cerebral malaria causes serious neurological problems, such as cerebral palsy, learning problems, hyperactivity, as well as blindness and hearing problems. Who is at risk? Children, visitors from non-malaria endemic areas, women in their first pregnancies, and people who live in Kabale and the highlands are susceptible. During the first six months of a child’s life, a baby retains antibodies from its mother, who has some resistance to malaria. But these soon wear off. The child is unprotected and can easily develop malaria infections until they develop immunity. A major challenge that Uganda faces is the shortage of neurologists to handle the consequences of severe malaria. Most specialists are based in Mulago, and Mbarara hospitals or the Kampala-based Butabika hospital. “This has led to a current increase in mental illness and disease,” says Kyabirize. Curbing the condition Treatment aught to be within 24 hours of experiencing fever. The Ministry of Health recommends treated mosquito nets to prevent malaria infection. Spraying of chemicals in homes has also helped reduce the rates of malaria infection. Get rid of latent containers of water where mosquitoes might breed. Cases of the disease in Uganda 25% of cases are cerebral, a dangerous form of malaria Of the 300,000 malaria cases a year, 75,000 are cerebral Dangers of cerebral malaria Death:15-20% of children die Epilepsy Blindness, deafness Neurological disorders Learning problems

NEWS: Typhoid kills 20 in Bukwo

Typhoid kills 20 in Bukwo

from MONITOR online August 17, 2009

BukwoDespite efforts by the government to combat typhoid in Bukwo District, fresh reports indicate that the disease is still spreading in the district and that at least 20 people have succumbed to it.The Ministry of Health Field Epidemiologist, Dr Luswa Lukwago, who has been on research and surveillance in the district, confirmed to Daily Monitor the new development on the epidemic.He said: “Over 20 people have been reported dead and on average every family has about four cases.” “Although we have treated the disease, recent research and surveillance indicates that the disease is still in Suam, Kapkorosoy, Kapkuripson and Kabei sub-counties,” he added.Dr Lukwago said this after making a presentation of the disease status report to the district team on Wednesday.He said many cases never receive adequate treatment and others who fled to Kenya came back.“We have been treating patients using chlorampheonical and ceftraxone but the two drugs ran out of stock, forcing many to seek traditional means,” he said.Dr Lukwago said the poor latrine distribution in the district and the free movement across the border points between Uganda and Kenya is responsible for the disease spread in the wake of shortage of drugs.Bukwo has 57 per cent latrine coverage in the district and most of them are open structures that leave the human waste exposed.Also about 400 cases are believed to have fled to Kenya after the disease broke out in the villages surrounding River Bukwo and are now returning.He revealed that because many people died without getting medical attention, they have lost faith in the local health system and have now turned to Kenya where they believe they will receive better medical services.The World Health Organisation Public Health Specialist, Dr Mary Amongin, confirmed the disease is still spreading in Bukwo, claiming about 22 people and leaving about 32 bed-ridden in Bukwo Health Centre.

N EWS: NDA bans use of Metakeflin to treat Malaria

NDA bans use of Metakeflin to treat Malaria

from MONITOR online 8/17/09



National Drug Authority (NDA) Executive Secretary, Apollo Muhairwe with the banned Metakelfin at NDA offices. Muhairwe urged patients not to buy Metakelfin for any therapeutic purposes. Photo by Nelson Wesonga

The National Drug Authority (NDA), the national drug regulator, has banned the use of Metakeflin tablets which are used to treat malaria.Addressing a press conference today morning at the NDA offices in Kampala, the regulator’s Chief Executive Officer, Apollo Muhairwe said this follows a change in the Malaria Treatment Policy by the Ministry of Health in which Artemisinin based Combination Therapies (ACTs) were adopted as first line treatment for uncomplicated malaria.“Thus, all antimalarials that do not contain ACTs were phased out in that regard, in order to curb the emerging resistance amongst the available ant malarial drugs,” Mr Muhairwe said.Mr Muhairwe told journalists that NDA stopped the importation of Metakelfin (sulphurmethoxypyrazin/pyrimethamine) in May last year. Mr Muhairwe also showed journalists some of the tablets that were seized after they discovered they found their way into the country through unscrupulous means. Out of every 15 batches, 10 of them were counterfeit.All drug stores have been asked to surrender all the stocks of Metakelfin to the drugs authority.

NEWS: Jinja man dies after taking expired drugs

Jinja man dies after taking expired drugs

August 7, 2009 from MONITOR online

JinjaOne man has died and another is in critical condition after taking suspected expired drugs in Jinja. Bonny Ojede, a resident of Jinja Town, died on Tuesday at Jinja Hospital after almost all the skin had peeled off his body in spite of all efforts by the medical staff to save his life.The Nursing Officer in charge of Ward Four, Ms Mebra Namaganda, told Daily Monitor on Wednesday that Ojede was admitted at the hospital two weeks ago after he had undergone self medication against malaria with unknown drugs that he had bought from a local drug shop yet to be established. Ojede was buried yesterday at Ayeri Sub-county in Apac District.Another patient is in critical condition from a similar cause. Mr Samuel Mukisa of Ibulanku Sub-county in Iganga District, is still undergoing treatment at the same hospital but Ms Namaganda said his condition is still critical. He is also suspected to have taken expired drugs from a local drug store. According to Jinja Hospital staff, Mr Mukisa’s condition has continued to be worrying because his skin continues to peel off despite all the medication that has been administered to him. Ms Namaganda said although the cause has not yet been established, poisoning arising from the consumption of expired drugs cannot at the moment be completely ruled out.Mr Mukisa’s wife, Esther Namaganda, a teacher at Nakalama Muslim Primary School, said since she does not stay with her husband, a teacher at Nakivumbi Nursery and Primary School, she was not there when he took the drugs but found some in the house the next day.“When I was called the next day, I found Herpex, Coartem and Panadol tablets in the house,” she said. She said her husband told her that he had bought the drugs from a local drug shop after developing a cold and used them as per the prescription given by the person who sold them to him.She tearfully narrated that just after one day, her husband had developed blisters all over the body and he could not see properly. “We first went to Iganga Hospital from where we were referred here (Jinja Hospital) where he has undergone treatment for the past two weeks,” she said.

NEWS: Drought bites northern Uganda

Drought bites northern Uganda

from MONITOR ONLINE

GuluFollowing a lull in war in northern Uganda in the last three years, Mr Nicholas Obita returned to his village in Bwobo, Manun Parish, Alero Sub-county in Amuru District. A place he considers a safe haven because of its fertile soils.Like many farmers, Mr Obita embarked on agriculture both for consumption and commercial purposes with hope of getting a good harvest.However, the peaceful sanctuary has turned into the scene of catastrophe as he watches his crops waste away due to drought.“Three months ago, I hired a tractor and opened up over 15 acres for different crops. I planted maize in an eight- acre piece of land and I was expecting to get over 200 bags but the rain has let me down. I am headed for a total loss,” Mr Obita says.He says the wet season that usually lasts between March and June disappeared too soon and the rain was too little to sustain the crops. Mr Obita is one of the farmers in northern Uganda who were determined to forget about squalid living conditions they experienced in camps and concentrate on farming.Their dreams of having a good harvest are fading away as the drought continues to bite hard. Mr Albert Okwera, a lead farmer in Pawel Parish in Gulu District, said the dry spell has destroyed 120 acres of crops. He says last year he earned Shs6 million from the sale of sweet potatoes but that might not be possible this year. “I decided to increase the acres and planted more crops this year. I was hoping to get a good harvest and earn more money. The rice that I planted three months ago has failed to grow,” he explained. Gulu Resident District Commissioner Walter Ochora, who is a commercial farmer in Amuru District, is also feeling the pinch of the dry spell. He says the sun has destroyed his 100 acres of maize crop.Mr Ochora says it is important that farmers resort to planting perennial crops like cow peas, which are drought resistant to minimise vulnerability in case of a crisis like the current one which is causing distress in many parts of the country.Ms Christine Aber, who belongs to a farmers’ group in Kitgum District, says at the beginning of the year the group planted over 10 acres of groundnuts but the crops have succumbed to the scorching sun. “My children are starving, I sell charcoal to buy food, if people don’t buy the charcoal I don’t get money for food,” she says. This nightmare scenario is the reality for farmers of northern Uganda.Climate change is bringing huge challenges. In a bid to address the challenge the Agriculture and Fisheries State Minister, Mr Fred Mukisa, says the government has allocated Shs5 billion for the development of irrigation schemes in selected parts of the country.Mr Mukisa explains that the project, which comes at a time when many parts of the country are experiencing drought because of climatic changes, is expected to benefit farmers in rural areas across the country.

NEWS: Food shortage hits 52 districts

Food shortage hits 52 districts
Wednesday, 15th July, 2009



SEVENTEEN districts in the north and northeastern Uganda are experiencing famine, the Prime Minister, Prof. Apolo Nsibambi, told Parliament yesterday. He said 52 districts countrywide were faced with food insecurity. Nsibambi categorised the food crisis in three levels; famine, acute food shortage and moderate food shortage. He was contributing to the debate on the recent State of the Nation address by President Museveni. Famine, he said, was being experienced in Amuria, Katakwi, Kaberamaido, Bukedea, Kumi, Soroti, Bukwo, Adjumani, Arua, Koboko, Moyo, Yumbe, Moroto, Kotido, Kaabong, Nakapiripirit and Abim. The Prime Minister told the House presided over by the deputy Speaker, Rebecca Kadaga, that acute food shortage was being experienced in 31 districts, while four districts faced moderate food shortage. He named persistent poor agricultural performance in Karamoja, the continued stay of people in internally displaced person’s camps in Acholi and Adjumani, the impact of the 2007 floods in Teso and dry conditions along the cattle corridor as the major causes. Nsibambi said the Government released sh10b in June and another sh10b for food relief. He added that the department of relief and disaster preparedness and refugees needed an additional sh30b to alleviate the situation. Nsibambi pointed out that the National Agricultural Advisory Services was distributing free maize, sorghum seeds, cassava cuttings and farming implements, including hand hoes and fertilisers, to the affected households. He noted the need to shift from reliance on rain-fed agriculture to irrigation and tapping gravitational water from Sipi falls off Mt. Elgon for irrigation in Teso and Karamoja. He announced that sh5b had been allocated for irrigation systems and that $100m (about sh200b) was being secured from the Islamic Bank to support the scheme. Nsibambi said the Cabinet, chaired by President Museveni, had on Wednesday deliberated on the food security issues. “I have requested the Minister of Local Government to use Section 95 of the Local Government Act to direct districts to make ordinances (bye-laws) which will compel homesteads to maintain granaries for food storage,” he stated. He said climate change, increasing occurrences of extreme weather and climate variability like droughts, floods, hailstorms, heat waves were caused by an accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Seasons, he said, had become erratic and difficult to predict. “While advancement in technology had made it possible to predict climate six months in advance, it is still difficult to predict the distribution of rainfall over seasons,” he said. In Uganda, the rainy season had not performed according to the forecasts, Nsibambi added. He noted that security situation in the north and north eastern Uganda had normalised.