Genome Editing a potential to eliminate human diseases

Genome Editing a potential to eliminate human diseases

By Hope Mafaranga

Scientists have asked African leaders to adapt to genetically modified  modern technology including genome editing, saying it has the potential of eliminating human diseases and improve  food security.  

Prof Yaye

The appeal was  by Prof. Yaye  Gassama the chairperson of Africa Union  High Level Panel on Emerging Technology  during the Africa Biennial Bioscience Communication (ABBC) 2019  symposium in at Sheraton Hotel Pretoria, in South Africa.

 She called upon leaders to  pass laws and regulations that allows research and commercialization of genetically modified products.

Prof. Gassama, said, said, genome editing has the ability of curing leukemia,  AIDS can be defeated  by eliminating HIV gene  in infected cells.

Genome Editing is a way of making specific changes to a target location of the DNA of a cell or organism. An enzyme cuts the DNA at a specific sequence, and when this is repaired by the cell a change or 'edit' is made to the sequence

 The symposium is being held under the theme “Getting it Right in Communicating about Genome Editing”.

 She said the technology is simple, affordable, reliable and rapid compared to mega nuclear. 

Apart from solving human diseases, the genome editing can mitigate climate change and solve the malnutrition issues in African.

“Genome Editing offers an opportunity for the agriculture sector  to mitigate climate change and provide solutions to small scale farmers get crops that are resistance from diseases and pests and can resist harsh weather conditions. The technology is also crucial in providing huge yields and reduce food insecurity, eliminate hunger and improve household income for the farmers,” she said.

 Prof. Gassama however said the scientists must also think about changing their communication jargons and stop the use of the GMO words that have  created a negative association  and formed public perception in negative way.

Dr. Margaret Karembu the director of International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA) said Africa can no longer sit back and watch as none scientists   policy makers take the stage with half truths and myths.

“Africa’s chance to benefit from genome editing lies heavily on the ability to efficiency regulates and communicates its potential. When scientists shy away from communicating about their research, other entities will miscommunication it on their behalf,” she said.

Ben Durhan the chief director of Bio Innovation at the Department of Science and Technology in South Africa said its time for Africa to take step and making decisions that empowers science to strive and  stop  becoming victims of uninformed scientific decision.

 Dr. Charles Mugoya the Chairman of National Biosafety Committee, Uganda said genome editing research will require early and sustained public dialogue and input to bolster  confidence and acceptance of the technology.

“The dialogue on genome editing must strike a balance between hope and fear. Africa needs to maintain public confidence in the ability of its scientists to make wise and ethical decisions about genome editing research,” he said.

Don't marry off girls before completing their education- Justice Mugisha

By Hope Mafaranga

 

When I was young, my step mother never believe that a girl can go beyond senior two in education. In fact she tried to influence my father to marry off, and being a judge  has been the Grace of God. This was part of the testimony Lady Justice Linda Lillian Tumusiime Mugisha of Industrial Court  told the gathering of Old Girls of Trinity College Nabbingo on Saturday, during a dinner held at Golf Course hotel, in Kampala.

Mugisha who is also an Old Girl of Trinity College Nabbingo, joined the rest of old girl to fundraise for the construction of Trinity Junior School, under the theme:"Appreciate, Celebrate and Enhance Girl Child Education".

She said she her school fees was paid by nuns at Nabbingo, who valued the girl child education.

" I lived in a convent, the sisters provided for me even with sanitary towels an important commodity in the lives of girls. Many girls have dropped out of school due to lack of sanitary towels, I thank God, He sent me mothers who provided for me," she said.

She asked other old students to always go back to the communities to get girls from the grassroots, mold them to ensure they get knowledge, education and skills in order to compete in the world of work and also learn to run and manage businesses.

"So many girls who are intelligent are in the community without an option of getting education. I appeal to you all to give back to the community, educate a girl child and give her skills to enable future women sustain themselves," she said.

She contributed sh 500,000 towards the construction of Trinity Junior School and pledged a monthly contribution of sh 500,000 for the next four years.

She also pledged to educate one of the less privileged girl from senior one to six six.

Cotilda Nakate Kikomeko the chairperson of Trinity Junior School, said they are looking for sh1.4b to construct the school to feed into college and fight illiteracy in the country.

Agnes Igoye the commondant of....... said the school gave them a whole life and direction in their lives and not just cram work but practical skills that have enabled them to succeed.

"The were tough not to settle for less, that confidence, trust and leadership skills have made us competitive women in the world," she said.

Igoye who is also the founder of Rehabilitation Center for Human Trafficking, said the vice is real and affects girls and women more than their male counterparts.

"Human Trafficking is real and lives with us. Unfortunately it affects girls and women more and we need to fight it to the end by sending and keeping our girls in schools and ensuring their complete their education," she said.

Hope Mafaranga Tue, Oct 1, 2:33 PM to Nairobi, Pedro UPDF gazettes new dress code, only soldiers to wear red berets, Opposition protests the gazette

 By Hope Mafaranga

The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has made new changes in the institution’s dress code, which includes uniforms, badges, berets, rank designs, insignia, decorations, accessories and pips.

The changes were endorsed by a meeting of the Army Council and the UPDF High Command, chaired by President Yoweri Museveni at State House, Entebbe, after the UPDF dress code committee submitted a report on the rationale of the changes.

The UPDF dress code committee said it has been working on the dress code changes since 1996.

The UPDF on September 18, this year, published a general notice number 1,013 of 2019 in the national gazette communicating the changes.

“The public is hereby informed that the marks, accessories, insignia, decorations and uniforms specified in the schedule to this notice are property of the state or classified stores and anyone found in unlawful possession, selling or dealing in them shall be prosecuted under the Uganda People’s Defence Forces Act, 2005,” the notice in the Gazette stated.

It adds: “Members of the  public are hereby informed that unless granted authority by a competent military authority, it is prohibited to; (a) sell, offer or expose for sale or use any uniform of the defence forces; (b) manufacture, sell, offer or expose for sale, wear or use any uniform so nearly resembling the uniform of the Defense Forces and is likely to deceive the public; or (c) wear or use any decoration supplied or authorised for use by any member of the defence forces or any decoration so nearly resembling that decoration and likely to deceive the public.” A

According to the Uganda Gazette,  the new UPDF dress code has the following: tunic, ceremonial wear, Kaunda suit, tuck-in and battle camouflage dress codes.

The changes, army officials say, have been introduced to enhance command, control and discipline within the rank and file of the UPDF to enable the public identify the officers easily.

To Harmonize the EA

The changes were also made in order to conform to the harmonization requirement of the East African Protocol on defence affairs.

Brig. Richard Karemire, the UPDF spokesperson said the new changes in the UPDF dress code have been welcomed by the UPDF High Command and Defence Council.

“The standardisation of the dress code is no doubt a step forward in the modernization and professionalisation of the UPDF. It will be a vital tool in identifying the different forces while enforcing command and control,” he said.

Explaining the rationale behind gazetting of the dress code, Karemire said it gives UPDF ownership rights of the new uniform and the changes therein.

“Gazetting will further act as a deterrent to unauthorized use and access. From a regional perspective, as we integrate, standardisation of the dress code brings the UPDF closer in harmony with other armed forces of the EAC partner states,” he said.

The current rank symbols and pips on the UPDF uniforms are different from those of other East African members, which brings confusion in identification of Ugandan armed forces by their peers within the East African Community.

For instance, a general’s pips are assigned two stars, which makes him look like a major general before peers in the region.

 Now, the changes will see a General with four stars like it is with other East African armies.

Opposition rejects the changes

The red beret, according to new uniform changes, is a preserve of the military Police section of the UPDF, navy blue for air forces and maroon for Special Forces Command (SFC), a move the opposition have rejected.

 The leader of the political pressure group Power and the Kyandondo legislator Robert Kyagulanyi ( Bobi Wine) said the government  gazzetted the red beret to kill their popularity of  red hats and they are stealing their band.

“ We are not going to allow this to happen to gazette our red beret. I know the government’s intention is to ensure that they arrest our supporters who will be found wearing our popular beret because its now gazetted,” he said.

He said they will challenge the gazette in courts of law.

Uganda questioned on planting exotic trees

Uganda questioned on planting exotic trees

 By Hope Mafaranga

The Minister of environment in Buganda Kingdom has questioned the Government why it is promoting planting of exotic trees at the expense of indigenous trees.

“We had our indigenous trees and forests which have been cut down and they are being replaced by eucalyptus and pines. We have to reintroduce our indigenous trees and forests,” said Prosscovia Nanyonga

Nanyonga who was representing Mariam Mayanja Nkalubo, the Minister of Environment lands, agriculture, trade, cooperatives and community services at Mengo was speaking at the Media Center in Kampala today.

Nanyonga was part of a team of a press conference called by environmental activists, Youth Go Green, Climate Action Network (Uganda) and Oxfam International (Uganda).

She said they were going to plant indigenous trees across Uganda starting in the counties of Busiro and Kyagwe where they have secured land belonging to private land owners.

Nanyonga said climate change is real and that it is already hitting Uganda in many ways.

She cited the receding of Lake Wamala where climate change is taking a toll on the lake.

This, according to Nanyonga has been accelerated by planting of eucalyptus trees in the catchment of Lake Wamala.

She described eucalyptus as a greedy tree pointing out that it was depleting water and that natural water bodies including wells, wetlands and lakes where water has always been permanent are drying up.

“We want to plant trees but we are not going to plant eucalyptus and pines,” said Nanyonga, adding that this was out of step with restoring the natural environment.

She said they were going to plant 10,000 indigenous trees with some of the young people as part of the activities to remind the world that there is still unfinished business regarding climate change.

NFA responds

Given that the population of Uganda is about 41m, there is need for fast growing trees to meet the demand of timber and poles for construction, according to Tom Okello, the executive director of the National Forestry Authority ( NFA).

“We are practicing modern forestry for provision of different goods and services,” said Okello said.

Kampala consumes a lot of cement and all this houses people are building need to be roofed, according to Okello.

“But with the slow growth of trees, we cannot meet the needs of a fast growing population, we cannot rely on indigenous tree species and the demand is going up. This means that we have to grow fast maturing trees. We need a balance of the two species-indigenous and exotic,” he said.

Protest walk

Edwin Muhumuza, the Chief Executive Officer for the Youth Go Green said they were going to organize a protest match on climate change on Friday.

He said the protest walk by young people and their partners is expected to start from City Square, proceed to Jinja Road and then branch to Garden City and Parliament.

He said they have prepared a petition which will be handed over to Rebecca Kadaga, the speaker of Parliament.

The petition is reminding Government to be more ambitious in addressing impacts of climate change.

The protest match is being organised ahead of the Climate Change summit in New York in the US in the coming week.

Muhumuza said the Government had signed protocols including the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement on climate change but more action on adaption (coping with adverse impacts) to the changing climate.

 He also said they want to see protection of the environment taken seriously.

“We have policies on the environment and climate change but wetlands are being degraded, we want more action because healthy ecological systems shield people from adverse impacts of climate,” said Muhumuza.

Harriet Mbabazi, resilience Manager from Oxfam International (Uganda) said the weather had become unpredictable resulting into declining quantity and quality of food. She said the youth were the future of the country and that it is important to secure the future of the youth by securing a healthy environment.

She also said they were amplifying the voice of the voiceless including the youth and pastoralists.

She also beaconed the public to join the movement to demand for accountability from world leaders.

Vaccines the only way to eliminate TB in Sub-Saharan Africa - experts

By Hope Mafaranga

Added 30th October 2019 06:04 PM

One-quarter of the global population is estimated to have latent tuberculosis infection, and tuberculosis is the leading infectious cause of death worldwide.

 https://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1509558/vaccines-eliminate-tb-sub-saharan-africa-experts

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation camp Africa New Director

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation annoncé Cheikh Oumar Seydi as the new Africa Director. He along at a critical time for the Foundation's work in Africa.

Seydi, Senegalese national has, along the Gates Foundation from the World Bank Group's International Finance Corporation (IFC), Where He Was the regional director for sub-Saharan Africa, based in Nairobi.

 He served as également IFC's director for eastern and southern Africa and have icts global director of human resources covering IFC's worldwide offices. Originally He joined the IFC in 1997 as an investment officer.

In His role as Sub-Saharan regional director for IFC Seydi managed the corporation's investment and advisory operations covering the Region's 49 countries. In 2018, the Africa Region est devenu IFC's Largest annual investment program, reaching $ 6.2 trillion in long-term investments, Including more than $ 4 trillion leveraged from other institutions for the private sector.

Prior to the IFC, Seydi Was a manager at Ernst & Young in New York, Where he Advised corporate customers are restructuring, reorganization, corporate finance and business valuation.

 Aussi He spent five years with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Began His career working for a variety of private banks and a shopping auditing firm in Senegal and Belgium. Seydi holds an MBA from Harvard Business School. 

"Umar Brings extensive experience working across Africa, leading extensive high-performing teams through growth and partnerships across the public and private Both sector," Said Chris Elias, President, Global Development at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

. "He will play a central role in the foundation's work across the world's second Largest continent."

"I am looking forward to working with our partners and exploring new strategies That will help Increase the foundation's impact on the continent," added Seydi "This is a critical time in Africa's development and I am excited to join an organization That Is committed to Supporting African countries meeting in Their development goals. " 

The foundation recently grown HAS icts Africa presence, doubling ict Africa-based staff over the past two years. Ongoing It to Deepen ict work in Ethiopia and Nigeria and Strengthen icts sub-Saharan Africa across commitment Including building an ecosystem of partners - public Both and private - to help scale icts increasingly integrated work Towards Addressing healthcare challenges, Eradicating poverty and Facilitating Economic Growth . 

The Foundation's 2018 Report reiterates Goalkeepers; "We believe Africa is the World's Most major priority for the foreseeable future. What happens to the wide number of young people there will be the single biggest determinant of whether the world Makes progress Toward the Sustainable Development Goals-that is, whether life on this planet keeps getting better