Latest news with #Tayebwa
Zawya
05-05-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Uganda: Tayebwa rallies support for new malaria vaccine
The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, has called on leaders to embrace and support the use of the new malaria vaccine aimed at eliminating Uganda's leading cause of death and disease burden. The malaria vaccine launched in April 2025 is earmarked for 1.1 million children under two years, in 105 high and moderate malaria transmission districts. Tayebwa said such a preventive opportunity requires efforts of leaders at all levels to encourage parents and caretakers, to take children for vaccination at designated health facilities. 'Uganda is the 19th country to roll out the malaria vaccine and it has been the most effective country in terms of roll out. Although the vaccine is for children from one to two years, it is important that all of us participate. I encourage parents, leaders to go to your communities and mobilise mothers and fathers to bring their children for vaccination,' he said. Tayebwa was speaking during the 3rd Walk Against Malaria held at Parliament on Sunday, 04 May 2025. He said he was cognisant of efforts by researchers to introduce the vaccine for children above two years, a move that is envisaged to deliver Uganda to a malaria free generation. 'We know vaccination helped to deal with the six killer diseases; we no longer have cases of polio; if there are some, they are extremely isolated,' Tayebwa said. The Deputy Speaker was concerned with recent reports from Ministry of Health, indicating that the malaria disease burden is high among the school going children. He urged government to consider Indoor Residual Spraying for dormitories and classrooms which eliminates mosquitoes for several months. 'As government we must sit down and have a policy on spraying dormitories in boarding schools. When you look at the design of beds in boarding schools most are triple or double decker; it might be difficult to use a mosquito net on such beds,' said Tayebwa. The indoor residual spray, Tayebwa said, will cost each student Shs 5,000 which he said is worth the effort, considering the malaria disease burden and the resultant death. The Minister of State for Energy and Mineral Development (Minerals), Hon. Phiona Nyamutoro, who also joined the walk, recounted her earlier struggle with malaria saying it is a testament that malaria can be eliminated from Uganda. 'My first years of life were traumatic because my parents were always in and out of the hospital as I was always diagnosed with malaria. It has been years since I fell sick due to malaria and I believe it is something that can be achieved for everyone,' Nyamutoro said. Chinese Deputy Ambassador in Uganda, H.E Fan Xuecheng, recommitted China's support in malaria treatment and elimination praising his nation as a reliable partner in the fight. 'We are proud that China can be part of the process to free Uganda of malaria. Last year China provided 500,000 packs of anti-malaria drugs and will be Uganda's reliable partner in this fight,' Xuecheng said. The World Health Organisation (WHO) representative in Uganda, Dr. Kasonde Mwinga noted that whereas malaria burden remains unacceptably high in Uganda, all that is required for its elimination is in place. 'We have the tools, the knowledge, and the opportunity to achieve the malaria free-world. We must invest in proven interventions, reimagine strategies that overcome current challenges, reignite collective efforts to accelerate the desired progress,' said Kasonde. The Walk Against Malaria is an advocacy and awareness campaign led by the Parliamentary Forum on Malaria chaired by Hon. Timothy Batuwa (FDC, Jinja South Division West). The Forum works in partnership with UNICEF, WHO, Malaria Consortium, Pilgrim for Africa, Next Media, Malaria Free Uganda, embassies among others. The walk is aimed at mobilising domestic resources for malaria control and elimination, and raising awareness about malaria risks. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.
Zawya
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Uganda: Parliament makes payments through formal processes
The Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa has dismissed allegations that Members of Parliament received Shs100 million for supporting the passing of the Coffee Bill. Tayebwa who chaired the sitting of the House on Wednesday, 09 April 2025 made the response after Butambala County Member of Parliament. Hon. Muwanga Kivumbi demanded an explanation from the leadership of Parliament on the allegations. 'The print media is awash with claims that each MP is receiving Shs100 million from the President. As head of this institution, I expected you to address the issue,' Muwanga Kivumbi said. The Deputy Speaker said that Parliament is accountable for what is officially budgeted, appropriated and spent through formal processes. 'I will not sit here and legitimise street talk. I have not received any coin nor have I received any call from anyone who has my money. If you know you have my money, please should bring it,' Tayebwa said. He cautioned MPs against using unverified claims to tarnish the image of Parliament. 'If you have dealings outside the institution, don't drag the House into it. We never approved any budget line labeled as a donation from the President to MPs. Smearing your colleagues to appear clean only brings collective disgrace,' he added. Tayebwa also encouraged any MP with credible evidence to report the matter formally. 'Write to the head of the institution so it can be investigated using the appropriate mechanisms,' he said. The Government Chief Whip, Hon. Denis Hamison Obua dismissed the claims saying MPs are paid through a statutory process. The Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi took to social media and alleged that MPs from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and a few opposition lawmakers had received the money for allegedly supporting the recently passed Coffee Bill. Ssenyonyi also alleged that the money was paid for support to the anticipated amendment of the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) Act. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda. Disclaimer: The contents of this press release was provided from an external third party provider. This website is not responsible for, and does not control, such external content. This content is provided on an 'as is' and 'as available' basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither this website nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this press release. The press release is provided for informational purposes only. The content does not provide tax, legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability, value or profitability of any particular security, portfolio or investment strategy. Neither this website nor our affiliates shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, or for any actions taken by you in reliance thereon. You expressly agree that your use of the information within this article is at your sole risk. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this website, its parent company, its subsidiaries, its affiliates and the respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers and licensors will not be liable (jointly or severally) to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive or exemplary damages, including without limitation, lost profits, lost savings and lost revenues, whether in negligence, tort, contract or any other theory of liability, even if the parties have been advised of the possibility or could have foreseen any such damages.
Zawya
30-03-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Uganda: Be aware of the dangers of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
The Deputy Speaker,Thomas Tayebwa has urged students using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in inventing projects and programmes to focus its usage on academics saying its dangers are imminent. Tayebwa made this call while opening the 15th Higher Education Institutions Exhibition on AI at Mbarara District headquarters in Kamukuzi Division. He said there are already glaring cases of AI misuse that should guide students while developing projects and programmes as witnessed during the Mbarara exhibition. 'In the 2020 elections of USA, there is a company which was accused of determining the outcomes of the elections. The company used data from Facebook to determined 5,000 character traits of people using Facebook and started using customised adverts to undermine the then government in power,' said Tayebwa. He cited a story of a one Singh Jaswant who was spurred on by intimate conversations with an avatar named Sarai to kill the then Queen of England in 2023. Singh who is now serving a nine year sentence had exchanged more than 5000 messages with his online companion believed to be angelic, Tayebwa said. 'What you consume in your life is important. I advocate that you only use AI for educational purposes so that it transforms your lives; if you ask it a wrong question it will lead you on a wrong journey,' said Tayebwa. Tayebwa however, appreciated the exhibition organsied by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) for the level of innovation which he said can significantly transform the education sector. 'I have seen innovations here that are aimed at transforming how we learn, how we teach and how we search. This is the kind of AI we need that is going to help us in diagnosing diseases which would otherwise be complicated and in early diagnosis, to detect non-communicable diseases like cancer,' Tayebwa said. Ndejje University showcased an AI assisted irrigation system which monitors soil moisture to schedule irrigation and the quantity of water. The farmer in this case is not required to physically carryout irrigation reducing on labour costs and dealing with over and under irrigation. At the Uganda Martyrs University's booth, the Deputy Speaker was taken through an AI enrolment programme which analyses enrolment trends per academic discipline to be able to deal with critical issues such as gender inequality. The NCHE Executive Director, Prof. Mary Okwakol said the annual exhibition is the council's top calendar event, where they get to disseminate information on higher education as well as interacting with students, education leaders and policy makers. 'We have been here since Monday in a conference where we got to engage with stakeholders,' Okwakol said. Okwakol said learners require skills in the use of AI to match the skills needed to get into the job market. She asked government to consider a policy to guide AI implementation and the costs involved for its integration in the education system. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.
Zawya
26-03-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Uganda: Deputy Speaker Tayebwa Calls for More Funds for Child Disability Benefit
Uganda is set to introduce a National Child Disability Benefit to support families raising children with disabilities. This was the focus of the National Child Benefit High-Level Dialogue Meeting organized by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development in partnership with UNICEF and held at the Kampala Sheraton Hotel on Wednesday, 26 March 2025. The event, themed 'Towards inclusive social protection: exploring a child disability benefit for Uganda,' brought together government officials, legislators, and development partners. Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, emphasized that disability support is a right, not a privilege, and criticized the Shs3 billion initial allocation, calling it inadequate and urging the government to commit at least Shs10 billion to the initiative. 'If we are to start this as a fund, let's be serious. It would be a betrayal to the disability movement to allocate such a small amount,' Tayebwa stated. He praised the Ministry of Gender for its efforts in supporting vulnerable groups but raised concerns about the potential misuse of funds by irresponsible parents. 'This money should improve the welfare of children, not serve as compensation for parents,' he cautioned. Gender Minister Betty Amongi explained that families caring for disabled children face extra financial burdens, with 50 percent of such households living in extreme poverty. 'This benefit will help cover costs like transport, medicine, and rehabilitation support. A child with disabilities requires more financial support than their siblings,' she said. She also highlighted the gendered impact of caregiving, noting that many fathers abandon mothers of disabled children, leaving them to shoulder the burden alone. State Minister for Disability Affairs, Hellen Asamo, urged a shift in societal attitudes, recalling her own struggles growing up with a disability. 'I didn't go to school like my siblings—I was given a shortcut. We must stop thinking for people with disabilities and instead ask them what they need,' she said. She warned against overprotection and exclusion, emphasizing the need for inclusive policies. Aggrey Kibenge, Permanent Secretary at the Gender Ministry, reaffirmed the government's commitment to disability inclusion, outlining plans for regular cash transfers to families as part of the benefit. UNICEF Country Representative, Robin Nandy, praised Uganda's social protection efforts, highlighting the economic benefits of investing in disability support. 'Every shilling invested in a child disability benefit can generate up to Shs2.5 in the economy,' he noted. Uganda aims to learn from countries like Kenya and South Africa, which have successfully implemented similar programmes. Parliament, through the Deputy Speaker and attending MPs, pledged full support to ensure children with disabilities receive the care and assistance they need. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.
Zawya
24-03-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Deputy Speaker Warns Against Sectarianism
The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, has cautioned against sectarianism based on religion. Speaking at the installation of Dr Chris Baryomunsi, the Minister of Information, Communication Technology and National Guidance as the second Chancellor of Great Lakes University in Kanungu District on Saturday 22 March 2025, Tayebwa said politicians who promote division cannot effectively lobby for their constituents. 'We, the Banyakigezi, face a challenge that we often try to conceal—sectarianism in politics. When it comes to voting, many of us tend to choose candidates based on their religion, as if such division will somehow lead to improvements in infrastructure, such as roads and water supply, in our area,' he said. Tayebwa also warned the youth against being consumed by sectarianism, urging them to focus on contributing to the country's development. 'When this university faced challenges, the person who saved it was a Catholic, yet the founder is a reverend from the Anglican faith. I urge the people of Kanungu to reject those promoting sectarianism. Those who fought to liberate this country from such divisions are your children, and allowing sectarianism would be letting them down.' He commended the university's directors for their resilience in managing the institution and praised their choice of Dr Baryomunsi as Chancellor. 'I do not think there is a door in this country that Dr Baryomunsi can knock on and be turned away. He is also very strict when it comes to quality; he is highly demanding and will ensure compliance with the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) requirements,' he said. Dr Baryomunsi, was installed as the second Chancellor of the university during its tenth graduation ceremony. Shortly after his installation, Baryomunsi pledged to work diligently to transform the institution. Olivia Tumuhirwe Arinaitwe, a Director at the university, appealed to the government to exempt private universities from taxation to ease their financial burden. She also requested that they be allowed to share facilities such as science laboratories in public universities. Rev. Fr. Abel Bainomugisha, the Executive Director, said the university requires over Shs2 billion to construct a building that will house the engineering and technology departments, as well as science laboratories. He noted that this initiative aims to align the institution with government policies. A total of 110 students graduated in various disciplines. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.
