The Autonomy of Ugandan Women’s Organizations: How it Matters in Creating and Maintaining a Dependable Democracy

For African nations “independence” from colonial rule seemed a long-awaited time that would re-establish and/ or introduce democracy. In 1962 Uganda embraced “independence” from colonial rule with both arms. However, practices of poor governance, increased political instability and economic uncertainties slowly and steadily eroded women’s hard work which sustained the nation during the regimes of Idi Amin (1971-79) and Obote II (1980-84). When Uganda finally returned to democratic systems of government, quotas were reserved for women without any acknowledgement of women’s previous participation both in private and public spaces. Though there are now more women in government positions, the system of reserving quotas for women has camouflaged women’s prior struggles when people lived in sheer fear of political leaders and participated out of coercion; and when men fled into exile for fear of their lives leaving women to do it all alone. Uganda’s democracy must not see women’s contributions as virtues of nurturance and care, while men’s contributions are regarded as public and political baselines for democracy. This paper argues that the democratic ways by which women stepped in for the government to provide health care, education, credit, and sometimes roads ought to be adopted in building a dependable democracy

Individual ethical orientation, ethical sensitivity and performance of third party logistics firms in uganda

Firms have increasingly become more aware of the need to instill issues of ethics and sustainable competitiveness in their decision making. Unethical practices of 3pls are posing serious obstacles in the move towards development and prosperity. Individual ethical orientation and ethical sensitivity are some of the drivers that affect performance of third party logistics firms in Uganda. This study attempts to examine the relationship between individual ethical orientation, ethical sensitivity and performance of third party logistics firms in Uganda. Individual ethical orientations and ethical sensitivity are important because they do determine the behavior of transport managers in the firms. The research was based on 3pls in Uganda. Although anectodal evidence shows that morals within transport industry are lowering in Uganda, the influence of individual ethical orientation, ethical sensitivity and performance has not been given some attention in the transport industry. The study adopted a quantitative cross sectional survey research design, data was collected using self-administered questionnaire and sample size of 85 firms were randomly selected from the population of 115 firms from Kampala district. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS). The study revealed that there was a positive and significant relationship between individual ethical orientation, ethical sensitivity and performance of third party logistics firms in Uganda. Nonetheless, considering the two predictors in this study, the results show that ethical sensitivity has a better contribution effect on performance of third party logistics firms in Uganda. In addition ethical sensitivity can be relied upon by performance of third party logistics firms in Uganda. Therefore, third party logistics firms in Uganda and other stakeholders should promote ethical sensitivity among third party logistics firms. This paper is the first of its kind which examines the state of performance within the field of transport operations and identifies areas and sets the agenda for future research in this field.Papers presented at the 40th International Southern African Transport Conference on 04 -08 July 202

Does Intensive Treatment Select for Praziquantel Resistance in High-Transmission Settings? Parasitological Trends and Treatment Efficacy Within a Cluster-Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: Praziquantel mass drug administration (MDA) is recommended in schistosomiasis-endemic areas. Animal models demonstrate Schistosoma parasite resistance to praziquantel after repeated exposure. METHODS: We conducted a parasitological survey in 26 fishing communities in Uganda after 4 years of quarterly (13 communities) or annual (13 communities) praziquantel MDA, with Schistosoma infection detected by single-stool-sample Kato-Katz. A test of cure was done in participants who were positive on both urine circulating cathodic antigen test and 3-sample Kato-Katz. We calculated cure rates (CRs) and egg reduction rates (ERRs) based on 3-sample Kato-Katz and infection intensity using worm-specific circulating anodic antigen (CAA) in blood, comparing these between quarterly and annually treated participants. RESULTS: Single-sample Kato-Katz Schistosoma mansoni prevalence was 22% in 1,056 quarterly treated participants and 34% in 1,030 annually treated participants (risk ratio, 0.62; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.40 to 0.94). Among 110 test-of-cure participants, CRs were 65% and 51% in annually and quarterly treated villages, respectively (odds ratio, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.27 to 1.58); ERRs were 94% and 81% (difference, -13%; 95% CI, -48% to 2%). There was no impact of quarterly vs annual praziquantel on S. mansoni by CAA. CONCLUSIONS: In this schistosomiasis hot spot, there was little evidence of decreased praziquantel efficacy. However, in the absence of alternative therapies, there remains a need for continued vigilance of praziquantel efficacy in the MDA era