In the news in Uganda

A few of the items making news in Uganda…

Traffic officers get guns to tackle errant motorist The Police Force has started arming senior traffic personnel following violent attacks on them in the line of duty by unruly motorists…Last year’s scheme to arm traffic wardens was shelved amid public anxiety that some officers could misuse the weapons to victimize and forcibly extract money from motorists at fault.

Health scheme for the poor launched The German government and the World Bank have launched a voucher card system aimed at helping expectant women and people with sexually transmitted diseases in western Uganda access treatment easily…Under the project, an expectant woman will pay Shs3,000 (less than $2 Canadian) and the voucher will entitle her to four antenatal visits and one post-natal visit after six weeks of delivery. For STD cases, a Shs3,000 voucher entitles two partners to treatment from selected service provider of their choice.

Malaria cases reduce, says WHO report While the number of people dying from malaria in Uganda remains high, the country has started registering lower malaria cases and deaths according to the latest World Malaria Report released by the World Health Organisation…According to the ministry of health, malaria remains a dangerous diesae with almost 30-50 per cent of Ugandans suffering from malaria every year while more than 300 die every day due to the disease.

Uganda tests pill to prevent HIV infection A drug designed to reduce the transmission of HIV when taken as a single pill before unprotected sex is going to be tested in Uganda soon. The pill has proved successful in monkeys and initial tests in human beings have shown encouraging results…A team of Uganda and American scientists are preparing for a Phase III trial, which is considered the final test before the drug goes into use. The pill would help discordant couples, where one person is HIV positive and the other is negative, to produce children without spreading the infection. It would also help a woman to protect herself in case her sexual partner does not want to use a condom.