Author: Agencies

Abnormal bacterial communities in the oral cavity have been linked to liver disease, renal failure, cancers, heart disease and hypertension. The oral cavity is the door to the gastrointestinal tract and the rest of the body. Like the gut, the mouth is home to several diverse colonies of bacteria, fungi, viruses and protozoa. It’s the second largest microbial community in humans, after the gut. More than 700 species of microorganisms reside in the mouth. New technologies, such as 16S rRNA analysis, have allowed researchers to study their genetic makeup and family trees. These microbes are found all over the mouth: in and around the teeth, the gums, tongue, palate and saliva. They usually remain…

By Crispin Kaheru I would like to express our gratitude to Africa Freedom for Information Centre (AFIC) for hosting this event, marking the International Day for Universal Access to Information. The significance of access to information, along with the challenges associated with navigating the digital space, cannot be overstated in today’s ever-changing world. At the international level, the right to access information is firmly established by Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). In this era of digital transformation, the internet has emerged as…

Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park lies at the centre of Ghana’s capital, Accra. Recently renovated, it is dedicated to the memory of Kwame Nkrumah, the leader of Ghana’s independence struggle and its first president. Marking the spot of his final resting place at the park is a massive statue. The statue has been continuously contested since its original commission in 1956 and its unveiling at the first anniversary of independence in 1958. As a social anthropologist who has researched and written about Kwame Nkrumah themed monuments, I have explored the contradiction that generally characterises monuments: built as lasting memories, they remain embedded in social and political conflict. Nkrumah is…

By Crispin Kaheru This year’s 74th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China presents a remarkable opportunity for Uganda and the broader world to take stock of a profound journey of mutual learning and collaboration. Looking at the intricate web of lessons that China and Uganda exchange, it becomes evident that this relationship is not merely about learning; it’s a dynamic exchange that continues to enrich and challenge both nations. Each lesson carries the weight of experience, shaping the roadmap for Uganda’s modernization journey. Building a Strong Domestic Foundation: China’s ascent to global prominence underscores the importance of strengthening…

Malawi’s president has launched a large-scale crop production initiative known as “mega farms,” aimed at boosting the country’s agricultural-based economy and help end persistent food shortages. Malawi has long faced food shortages at both national and domestic levels each year. This, despite various efforts to boost agricultural production, including the Targeted Inputs Program, in which farmers buy seed and fertilizer at cheaper prices. According to a report last month from the Famine Early Warning Systems Network, 4.4 million Malawians, representing 22 percent of the country’s population, are facing food shortages. And the situation is expected to worsen from October to…

By Crispin Kugiza Kaheru The by-election of the district Chairperson in Hoima, is currently underway today. The total number of voters in Hoima district is 94,825, with slightly more females than males. There are 173 polling stations in the two sub-counties of Bugahya and Kigorobya that make up Hoima district. Five candidates: Patrick Musinguzi (FDC); Uthman Mugisha Mubaraka (NRM); Vincent Muhumuza alias Savana (Independent); Aguuda Moses (NUP), and Lennox Mugume (Independent). Preliminary observations: Crispin Kugiza Kaheru, the election observer who also doubles as Commissioner, Uganda Human Rights Commission, in an email communication to The Albertine Journal said polls opened at 7:00am at a few polling stations.…

Nigerian writer Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀ took the literary world by storm with her debut novel Stay With Me in 2017. Six years later, she has followed up with an equally brilliant second novel, A Spell of Good Things, which has been longlisted for the Booker Prize 2023. Just as with her first novel, A Spell of Good Things delves masterfully into the complexities of polygamy and problems with patriarchy while also exploring the corrosive effects of Nigeria’s political corruption on ordinary and, especially, poor Nigerians. As someone who studies Nigerian literature, I hold the view that the strength of Adébáyọ’s second novel lies precisely in this exploration of the effects of the political on…

“Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act fundamentally contradicts the World Bank Group’s values. We believe our vision to eradicate poverty on a livable planet can only succeed if it includes everyone irrespective of race, gender, or sexuality. This law undermines those efforts. Inclusion and non-discrimination sit at the heart of our work around the world,” a statement from the World Bank dated August 8, 2023 issued by the David Theis, Press Secretary and Spokesperson, said. The statement said immediately after the law was enacted, the World Bank deployed a team to Uganda to review the portfolio in the context of the new legislation.…

A new European law that imposes the first ever carbon border tax in the world comes into force in October 2023. It will be applied gradually over the next three years before it is fully implemented. A carbon tax is a type of levy imposed on greenhouse gas emissions. It is meant to encourage companies to adopt clean methods of production. But firms could get around the tax by moving production units outside the EU to countries with less strict terms, such as those in Africa, and then exporting products back to the EU. That’s why the EU has come up with…

An essay on Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o by Kenyan journalist Carey Baraka sparked controversy recently. Baraka spent three days with Ngũgĩ at his home in California and penned a long, reflective essay about his encounter with the renowned novelist. The essay, titled Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o: three days with a giant of African literature,” was published in The Guardian and has drawn mixed responses since it was published on June 13, including a feature on Kenya’s public television. From Ngugi’s son calling the piece “unethical” to those who found it intimate and moving to Kenyan tabloids exploiting details for clickbait to Ngugi…