Hope Mafaranga

High population threatens Uganda wetlands By Hope Mafaranga August 22, 2011 In Kabarole Uganda has extensive wetland coverage, although information on the exact size and distribution is yet to be documented. Current estimates put the total area of wetlands at 33,000 Km 2 ; about 13% of the country’s total area. Uganda’s wetlands are faced with threats of degradation especially resulting from population pressure and economic development. The Kabarole district natural resources officer Sam Mugume says that wetlands throughout the country are increasingly being encroached upon and reclaimed mainly for agriculture and settlements. Mugume says that the impact of human activities is far-reaching and threatens the integrity and sustainability of the vital wetland resources. He explained that the current and potential impacts include increased floods, shortage of building and crafts materials and reduction in fish productivity, decline in water quantity and quality, reduced grou

Uganda has loses the fight against HIV-Activists By Hope Mafaranga August 19, 2011 In Mbarara Uganda has lost the fight against HIV/AIDS because of her satisfaction of the past successes. Dorcas Amoding, the Advocacy and Communications Manager of Community Health and Information Network (CHAIN) said that the HIV situation is deteriorating in the country because the government has relaxed on the scourge hence losing the struggle against the pandemic.   She discloses that 341 people still get infected with the virus in Uganda every day with HIV while many cannot get access to ARVs. “Uganda was a model country in the world against the fight of HIV but its relaxation about the scourge has seen more than 340 get infected with the virus every day,” she said. Addressing journalists on health community reporting Friday   at Lake View hotel, Amoding said that there is need for government to change its tactics and re- package messages about the pandemic. Desmas Buregyeya, a journalis