MK Newslink March 9, 2017

CCEDU TO DEPLOY 50 OBSERVERS IN ARUU PARLIAMENTARY BY-ELECTION

BY MK NEWSLINK.COM REPORTER

IN PADER—-

In preparation for the Aruu North Parliamentary by-election scheduled for 6th April 2017, CCEDU on 7th March completed training a team of ten (10) Long Term Observers (LTOs) at Beeva Hotel, Pader district.

CCEDU’s Head of Electoral Process Observation, Mr. Ivan Mwaka led the observer’ training which equipped the community monitors with knowledge and technical understanding of tools and methods of election observation within the Ugandan context.

The 8 male and 2 female LTOs are drawn from CCEDU member institutions from within and around Aruu Constituency in Pader district.

The LTOs will be deployed immediately in each of the 7 sub counties of Aruu including: Atanga, Pajule, Latanya, Laguti, Acholi-Bur, Lapul and Angagura. Over the next four (4) weeks, the LTOs will observe the pre-election, Election Day and the post election environment.

On Election Day, CCEDU will deploy a contingent of 50 observers to monitor the Election Day processes.

LTOs will work within a framework of citizen community monitors and will report periodically on both – the good electoral practices and any malpractices observed.

It is anticipated that the deployment of these community observers will go a long way in deterring electoral malpractices that have bedeviled the county’s past elections.

Posted On 09 Mar 2017

, By mk

PATIENTS STRANDED AT MASINDI HOSPITAL DUE TO LACK OF ELECTRICITY

By Yosam Gucwaki

In Masindi—-
Work has come to a standstill at Masindi main Hospital in Masindi
district due to absence of electricity.
This is after an electric pole collapsed at the hospital due to a strong
storm that ravaged the district last week and disconnected the
hospital from the power line.

The hospital medical supretendant Dr. George Bateganya says that due
to the absence of electricity, most medicalequipments are not working
forcing the hospital to refer patients who need their services to
private health units.

Bateganya adds that efforts to approach UMEME have not solved anything.
Bateganya adds that patients at the hospital have resorted to
improvising the lighting system in the wards.

Bateganya is appealing to the district authorities and well-wishers to
intervene and rectify what he terms as an alarming situation that is
putting the lives of patients at stake.
A Patients who preferred anonymity told our reporter that their lives
are in danger since they cannot afford the money at the private
facilities where they are being referred.

She added that currently she is being treated at Masindi main hospital
but her baby was transferred to Kitara medical centre because there
was no power that could run the oxygen to save the life of her baby
adding that even her baby did not receive the first milk which is of
great importance on the health of a baby.
Sound byte patient 2

Another one who also never wanted her name to be mentioned said that
her relative died while she had been referred to Hoima referral
hospital noting that the death occurred after the uterus of the
deceased had bust.

HafisaKarungi the the secretary for works Masindi district visited the
hospital and noted that though women are celebrating International
women’s day the situation women from Masindi are undergoing is
alarming.

She added that she had planned a peaceful demonstration but was
stopped by the district Police commander Masindi Bosco Bakashaba who
immediately called the manager UMEME and his response the manager
said that power will be on by Friday.

She also explained that if power is not connected back by Friday she
will continue with her demonstration.

This comes at a time UMEME is threatening to disconnect the hospital
from power due to the accumulated electricity bills amounting to 100
million shillings.

www.mknewslink.com

Posted On 09 Mar 2017

, By mk