The Doctor who would like to be Jennifer Musisi’s driver

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Dr. Silvia Awor, an obstetrician and gynaecologist at Gulu University, followed an academic track at Class A institutions. High school at Mt. Saint Mary’s Namagunga; Medical school at Makerere University; and Postgraduate fellowship in obstetrics and gynaecology at McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Hers was the kind of education that prepared her to effectively compete […]

African rulers and their choice of death abroad

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  Uganda’s current rulers and their associates spend millions of public dollars on their healthcare abroad, complete with comfortable digs for their bajanjabi (attendants) and pocket money for a little shopping before returning home. President Yoweri Museveni puts the annual figure at $75 million. This is Uganda’s contribution to the advance of quality health care […]

What does a sick Ugandan do? Good question, Ms. Kadaga

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  Three Ugandan politicians have died in the last three weeks. Maria Lubega Mutagamba, a former minister of tourism died from complications of liver cancer.  She was 64. John Sebaana Kizito, a former government minister, wealthy businessman, mayor of Kampala, political party leader and presidential candidate died from a stroke. He was 82. Kaudha Grace […]

Yes, honor Dr. Margaret Mungherera in Parliament

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Of the many beautiful tributes and eulogies last week in memory of the late Dr. Margaret Mungherera, I was especially struck by what was said by two key figures in Uganda’s ruling establishment. Former Vice-President Specioza Wandira-Kazibwe wanted Margaret’s body in parliament. After all she was a national hero, Specioza rightly observed.  Prime Minister Ruhakana […]

Dr. Margaret Mungherera lived for a cause

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Dr. Margaret Mungherera, dead at 59. Hard to write that. Last time I met her, Margaret was so full of life, so full of that energy that always uplifted us even when things appeared dark. She came to us, like a bright meteorite in the dark African sky, here but a moment, an impact event, […]

Jinja triplet deaths compounded by news media distortions

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It appears that the Monitor report that triplets died last week because the mother had been refused admission to Jinja Regional Referral Hospital was a distortion of the facts. To be sure, I was angry when I read that the staff had refused to admit Ms. Monicah Wokobeire, the triplets’ mother, because they were preparing […]

Surgery and operating rooms- the journey continues

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In the blog on Caesarean Section in Buganda in 1879, we reproduce the report of a surgical delivery of a baby that was witnessed by Robert William Felkin, a medical student who was serving as King Mutesa’s personal physician. The advances in human surgery that have taken place over the intervening 130 years represent the proverbial […]

Caesarean section in Buganda in 1879

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FROM THE TINGASIGA ARCHIVES: February 1, 1999 Dear Tingasiga: The last palace of Kabaka Mutesa I at Kasubi-Nabulagala, is perhaps the most visible evidence of the grandeur and sophistication of late nineteenth century Buganda. The visitor who beholds the architectural marvels of Muzibu-azaala-mpanga, Mutesa’s main residence at Kasubi-Nabulagala which is now a mausoleum for the […]

African Yellow Fever Alert!

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Yellow Fever Alert! The December 2015 outbreak of Yellow Fever (YF) in Angola should be of great interest and concern to health authorities in East Africa. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “as of 7 April 2016, a total of 1,708 suspected cases, including 238 deaths (Case Fatality Rate: 13.9%), had been reported from […]