Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | As the country launches its first COVID -19 cure trials, Civil Society Organizations (CSO’s) want government to comprehensively brief Ugandans on the progress in obtaining the Covid-19 vaccine besides the occasional remarks by government officials. In their statement, led by the Initiative for Social …
Read More »Why the EU has authorized AstraZeneca – Oxford COVID-19 vaccine
Brussels, Belgium | XINHUA | The European Commission granted conditional marketing authorization for the COVID-19 vaccine developed by British company AstraZeneca and Oxford University on Friday, although the bloc seems unlikely to get the amount of doses as agreed for the moment. “Securing safe vaccines for Europeans is our utmost …
Read More »WHO publishes new essential diagnostics list
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The World Health Organization (WHO) has in addition to making fresh recommendations for COVID-19 tests expanded the suite of tests for infectious and non-communicable diseases such as cancer and diabetes. They have also introduced a new section on endocrinology which is important for reproductive and women’s …
Read More »Umukuka succumbed to Covid-19-Doctor
Mbale, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The late Inzu Ya Masaba Cultural Leader, Umukuka II Bob Kipiro Mushikori succumbed to Covid-19. This was revealed by the Health Minister and Mushikor’s doctor Dr Dominic Wabuloko. Mushikori died at the beginning of this month at his home in senior quarters in Mbale City. …
Read More »Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate effective against virus
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine is able to offer protection against COVID-19 according to results of a phase three clinical trial released by the manufacturers of the vaccine. According to a statement released by Novavax, results from the U.K branch of the study show that the vaccine …
Read More »Re-opening schools for non-candidates still a big puzzle
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Eleven months after school closures due to the covid-19 pandemic, the full reopening of the institutions of learning remains a big puzzle with no one sure of when non-candidates might be able to return to school. On March 18, 2020, President Museveni with guidance from …
Read More »New COVID-19 variants fueling Africa’s second wave
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The COVID-19 cases and deaths are surging in Africa as new, more contagious variants of the virus spread to additional countries. Over 175, 000 new COVID-19 cases and more than 6,200 deaths were reported in Africa in the last week while infections rose by 50% …
Read More »UN chief urges making vaccine solidarity top priority
United Nations, USA | THE INDEPENDENT | United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday called on member states to make vaccine solidarity a top priority. “Our first priority for 2021 is to respond to COVID-19. Vaccines are the first great moral test before us,” the UN chief told the …
Read More »China’s debt grip on Africa
It holds 62% of Africa’s bilateral debt which rose from 1% of GDP to over 15% in a decade COMMENT | PAOLA SUBACCHI | The pandemic is confronting highly indebted poor countries with a fateful dilemma. As Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, lamented last April, …
Read More »Scientists investigating drop in COVID-19 positive cases
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Scientists on the COVID-19 task force are investigating a drop in the number of positive cases reported in the country. For the last two weeks, results released by the health ministry have shown a drop in the number of positive cases reported. From January 14, …
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