Similar solutions for similar problems: harmonising energy trade and investment policies and strategies in the East African community

Magister Legum - LLMSustainable Energy (oil, gas and electricity) plays an important role in advancing productive capacity and increasing economic growth and sustainable development. In order to achieve this, there must be effective trade and investment in energy. Currently, there is relatively low regional and international trade in energy in the East African Community (EAC). Local and foreign direct investment flowing into the EAC is still very low in spite of a number of measures, such as, investment protection guarantees, that have been taken to improve investment. Each of the five countries in the EAC has its own energy policy, as well as a trade and investment policy and strategy. For some the policies are clearly stated; for others they are presumed. However, these policies are not effective. Without effective policies on trade and investment protection and promotion, the EAC will have minimum benefits in terms of terms of trade, investment inflows and sustainable economic development. The EAC is a customs union with an ultimate aim of attaining a political federation. Before this happens, there is need to have effective but also harmonised trade and investment policies and strategies. Adoption of comprehensive harmonised trade and investment policies and strategies shall provide a guideline to the Governments, the trade and investment agencies and other relevant stakeholders to follow in order to attain the ideals, objectives and spirit of the Community. This research, therefore, aims at proposing effective and harmonised trade and investment policies and strategies that Member States should pursue in order to develop the EAC into a viable integrated energy trade and investment zone. The study involves a review of the current policies, strategies, laws, regulations and practices in trade and investment in energy and a discussion of how the situation can be improved. The research raises many suggestions on conservation of energy as well as use of alternative sources .South Afric

DIAGNOSTIC ACCURACY OF SHOCK INDEX AS SCREENING TOOL FOR PRIMARY POSTPARTUM HAEMORRHAGE AFTER CAESAREAN SECTION AMONG WOMEN AT KAWEMPE NATIONAL REFERRAL HOSPITAL -A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

Background:  Postpartum haemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal mortality globally and in sub-Saharan Africa. The shock index( ratio of the pulse to systolic pressure) is a quicker and more objective assessment tool for assessing the risk of deterioration as may occur in PPH, before apparent clinical deterioration. The diagnostic accuracy of the shock index in a Ugandan setting is not known. The objective of the study was to determine the sensitivity and specificity, positive and negative predictive values of shock index in the diagnosis of primary postpartum haemorrhage after caesarean section among women delivering at Kawempe National Referral Hospital. Methods:   A cross-sectional study design was used. The study was conducted in Kawempe National Referral Hospital among women who were delivered by a caesarean section between 1st January and 31st May 2021. A sample size of 594 was determined using formulae by Buderer. A consecutive sampling technique was used. The research assistants approached 650 participants; while 591 participants were fit for analysis. All participants were subjected to the determination of shock index at different intervals and the change in haematocrit as the gold standard for post-partum haemorrhage.   Results:  The sensitivity and specificity of the shock index at 2 hours were 40.0 and 82.8 percent respectively at a threshold of 0.8. The sensitivity and specificity were 70.0 and 54.6 percent after 24 hours when the shock index threshold of 0.7 was used. The PPV and NPV were 3.8 and 98.3 percent at 2 hours respectively while 2.6 and 99.1 percent at 24 hours. Conclusion:  The shock index is a poor screening tool for diagnosing primary postpartum haemorrhage after caesarean section. Recommendations : Shock index may not be included in routine care of post-operative mothers for early recognition of those at risk of primary postpartum haemorrhage

Characteristics and changes in SON rainfall over Uganda (1901-2013)

This study investigated the characteristics and changes in September-November (SON) rainfall over Uganda. The dominant mode of variability of SON rainfall was identified by performing Empirical orthogonal functions (EOF) analysis, using rainfall data from Climate Research Unit (CRU) for the period 1901 to 2013. Results indicate that the dominant mode of variability of SON rainfall exhibits a unimodal pattern, explaining 50.2% of the total variance. Mann-Kendall analysis was deployed to examine sudden changes in SON rainfall over the country. The findings show that the abrupt change in SON rainfall occurred in 1994. Further analysis reveal that SON rainfall over Uganda has a correlation pattern with the sea surface temperature (SST) over Indian, which depicts the positive phase of the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD). Positive correlation is exhibited in the western IOD subregion, while negative correlation is shown in the southeastern IOD sub-region. Further study of the both driest and wettest years during the investigated time span indicate that throughout the wettest year, there were positive anomalies in the western sub-region, contrary to the driest year, when same subregion observed distinct negative anomalies. This illustrates that the positive phase of IOD enhances SON rainfall over Uganda, as opposed to the negative phase which inhibits SON rainfall. The evolution of the IOD can therefore be monitored for the improvement of SON rainfall forecasts, especially over Uganda so as to avoid the losses associated with weather extremes

Africa and the ailing promise of the Doha development agenda in the WTO negotiations on agriculture

© 2015 Dr. Joseph Mary KikonyogoThis thesis argues that the promise of development in the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization (‘WTO Agreement’), the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994 (‘GATT 1994’), the Agreement on Agriculture (‘AoA’), and the Doha Work Programme is not being realised for the African Group, particularly in the agriculture negotiations. The primary incentive for the African Group to join the Round was the emphasis on development in the 2001 Doha Ministerial Declaration, in line with the WTO Agreement and the AoA. However, for several reasons, the Doha Round is not delivering on its promise. First, the Declaration and WTO agreements forming the basis of the promise do not articulate the term ‘development’ in a robust manner nor impose binding obligations on Members to ensure that the less developed among them develop. This omission has led to mixed interpretations by the negotiators, GATT/WTO panels and the Appellate Body. Secondly, Africa’s encounter with trade and development over the years has negatively affected Africa’s economic standing and makes Africans sceptical of development promises. The WTO’s attempt to deal with Africa’s development problems is very limited and unlikely to have much impact. Thirdly, the principles and decision-making processes underlying the agriculture negotiations are contentious and do not benefit Africa. Fourthly, the development promise has been undermined by the failure of developed and major developing country Members to eliminate trade distorting agricultural subsidies as required by the AoA and continuously committed during the negotiations, and the continued failure to agree on the modalities for the agriculture negotiations. Fifthly, although the African Group is well organised and has experts in the various areas under negotiation, it does not have well-articulated development goals to achieve from the Round, and instead continuously seeks ‘special and differential treatment’. The Group’s ability to present a unified negotiating position is also compromised by the varied interests and capacities of its members. Finally, although other initiatives such as technical cooperation and capacity building were emphasised in the Doha Ministerial Declaration as core to development, their contribution is undermined by conditionalities of donor funds and the lack of clear process and capacity of the recipients to utilise the funds provided. Therefore, balancing the achievements and failures of the agriculture negotiations to date, the thesis concludes that the promise of development is not being realised, and questions whether the Doha Round can offer a solution to the development concerns of the African Group