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Uganda on high alert over an imminent desert locusts’ invasion

Samuel Wamuttu — Sun, 12 Jan 2020 16:37:18 +0000

Uganda’s ministry of agriculture has announced that it is on high alert over an eminent threat of desert locusts that have invaded the East African Region especially the neighboring Kenya.

The revelation was made on Friday by Aggrey Bagiire, the State Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries during a press briefing at the Ugandan media centre.

Bagiire during the press briefing on Friday

Bagiire revealed that the ministry of agriculture is now seeking Shs5 billion to cater for aircraft fuel, pesticides for control, provide for ground spray equipment and spray teams and to continuously create awareness to the population in case of an invasion.

The Minister says due to security situation in Somalia and North Eastern Kenya (Mandera and Garissa Counties) and other factors, there are still large locusts’ swarms observed from Somalia and Ethiopia with further spread inside Kenya.

Since the current control capacity is limited, some of the swarms could move further Western into Turkana County, probably by Mid-January 2020, with likely potential and risk that some swarms could spill over into the North Eastern region of Uganda, particularly Karamoja region (borders Turkana County).

Uganda is a member of the Desert Locust Control Organization for Eastern Africa (DLCO EA) and is currently closely working and sharing information on the current status of the desert Locust in the Region.
A technical team of 2 (Two) officers have been assigned to travel to Kenya (Wajir and Marsabit counties) to understudy the current Locust control operations to subsequently share experiences and support the control efforts in Uganda (in case of any outbreak).

Bagiire however, says the country should not to panic because there is vigilance following up developments and control efforts in Kenya. In case of any outbreak, we are ready to handle it.

What has caused these locusts?

The second half of the year 2019 recorded unusually high rains in most parts of Eastern Africa that had not been seen in many years. These rains incidentally fell also in the semi-arid traditional Desert Locusts (Schistocerca gregaria) breeding ecological areas of Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia. The favourable conditions facilitated further locusts breeding, multiplication and spread in to Kenya.

Desert Locust (Schistocerca gregaria) is a species of short- horned grasshopper family. It is characterized by its nature of high mobility (migratory) and broad spectrum feeding habits.

Desert locusts could move into Uganda and South Sudan

Locusts have ability to alter their behavior, colour, size and shape. When the population density is low, locusts behave as individuals, when the population is high, they swarm and migrate. The locust life cycle comprises three stages of egg, hopper and adult and it lives a total of 3 to 6 months.

“In Solitary phase, the Desert Locust lives individual life until it rains with availability of vegetation, the females lay eggs. Desert Locusts usually fly with the wind and swarms can travel between 5-150 km or more a day depending on weather conditions and normally taking off 2-3 hrs after sunrise in warm weather and 4-6 hrs in cool weather.
1.1.3 Locust feeding habits,” Bagiire explains.

Locust swarms vary from less than one km2 to several hundred km2. There can be at least 40 to 80 million locusts in each km2 of swarm. Coupled with its amazing ability to build up and multiply to colossal numbers, a locust can eat its own weight in fresh food (about 2 gm/day). Half million locusts weigh about 1 ton and they can eat about 1 ton of food enough to feed 2500 people.

A motorist passes through a swarm of locusts in Kenya

An Ethiopian Airline B737-700 (ET-ALN) encountered a grasshopper swarm on approach to Dire Dawa Airport (HACR).The pilots discountinued the approach and the ET363 instead diverted safely to Addis Ababa.

An Ethiopian airline that was forced to cancel its destination due to a swam of desert locusts

Plane route

According to the UN Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), the region is suffering it’s worst invasion for decades. Kenya says it is facing an “unprecedented threat” from desert locusts in its worst invasion for 70 years.

Swarms of the insects have spread from Ethiopia and Somalia and are threatening food production and grazing land, said Kenya’s agriculture minister, Mwangi Kiunjuri.

The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) said last month that the species of grasshopper had already destroyed more than 175,000 acres of farmland in Somalia and Ethiopia, posing the worst threat for seven decades. Because much of Somalia is engulfed in conflict, spraying pesticides from the air has become impossible, the agency added.
There is a risk that the swarms could move into Kenya’s neighbours Uganda and South Sudan, the FAO said.

The locusts crossed into Kenya a few days after Christmas and have spread to the counties of Garissa, Isiolo and Samburu to the south and west, Mr Kiunjuri said.

“We recognise that the pest invasion, and the potential to spread rapidly to other counties poses an unprecedented threat to food security and livelihood in the country,” he commented.
The FAO said that while locusts are expected to breed in Somalia this month, there is less chance of that happening in Kenya.

But what are the possible benefits of locusts

According to a 2015 study of researchers on insects, desert locusts could boost food security and offer protection against chronic diseases.

In the study published in PLOS One , researchers based in Kenya and the United States assessed whether locusts contain high levels of chemicals known as phytosterols that could control heart-related diseases.

The WHO says non-communicable diseases such as heart attacks, stroke, cancers, diabetes and asthma kill about 28 million people a year in low- and middle-income countries, including those in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Baldwyn Torto, a scientist with the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) in Kenya, who led the study, says that phytosterols block the absorption of cholesterol, a chemical which increases one’s risk of getting heart and other cardiovascular diseases.

“They are also rich in proteins, fatty acids and minerals that boost immunity, fight cancer and prevent inflammation of body organs.”

Baldwyn Torto, The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe)

He adds: “They are also rich in proteins, fatty acids and minerals that boost immunity, fight cancer and prevent inflammation of body organs.”

Kate Kibarah, a clinical nutritionist in Kenya, says that food sources which contribute to the fight against non-communicable diseases should be promoted, adding that based on the findings of the study, desert locusts as a food source should be promoted.

Kibarah notes that many Africans are now dealing with ailments such as hypertension and cancers due to sedentary lifestyles and bad dietary habits.

“Instead of consuming fast foods all the time, we should eat quality food with nutrients that help us to ward off deadly diseases,” Kibarah says. “People should also exercise to keep fit.”

The WHO states that strong evidence demonstrates that compared to less active adult men and women, individuals who are more active have lower rates of all-cause mortality, coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, colon and breast cancer and depression.

According to the researchers, although plants are generally the richest sources of phytosterols, insects such as locusts that feed on them can provide alternative sources for these nutrient-rich compounds to humans.

The study found that after 200-250 desert locusts — Schistocerca gregaria — reared in icipe were fed on wheat seedlings and wheat bran, they consumed the phytosterols from these plants and amplified them, thus resulting in the insects having higher amounts of phytosterols compared to the wheat.

Locusts can also be used as animal feeds as the contain a lot of proteins that are valuable especially to birds.

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Uganda, Kenya hold talks on oil and gas sharing

Agnes Tumuheire — Mon, 22 Oct 2018 12:49:56 +0000

Uganda National Oil Company has held talks with Kenya National Oil Company and Kenya Pipeline Company on how the two countries can benefit from oil and gas discoveries.

In the talk session hosted by the National Oil Corporation of Kenya (NOC) , the companies shared experiences and ways of maximizing the benefits that come with oil and gas discovery.

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Bobi Wine reveals he has no problem with being friends with president Museveni

Agnes Tumuheire — Thu, 11 Oct 2018 09:10:33 +0000

Bobi Wine, Babu Owino, and Jeff Koinange appearing on JKLive: COURTESY PHOTO

Kyadondo East Member of Parliament, Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu alias Bobi Wine has revealed that he can actually be friends with President Yoweri Museveni if he upholds the will of Ugandans.

Bobi Wine said this during his interview with Jeff Koinange and Babu Owino on Citizen Television in Kenya on Wednesday night.

“Do you see a day when you and Y.K Museveni would be friends?” Jeff asked and in answer, Bobi Wine stated.

“Sure, I wanna be friends with President Museveni especially if he respects the will of Ugandans. There is nothing personal between me and President Museveni. I’ve already told you that I have respect for him as a father and in fact as a grandfather. But again he should know that me and him are equal before and under the law”

Bobi Wine arrived in Nairobi, Kenya on October 10, the eve of the Moi day celebration and was escorted by a delegation of youthful members of parliament.

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Melania Trump in Kenya, visits baby elephants

Agnes Tumuheire — Fri, 05 Oct 2018 14:39:30 +0000

US First Lady Melania Trump (C) uses binoculars to scan the environment while on at The Nairobi National Park in Nairobi: COURTESY PHOTO

On third day of solo tour of Africa, US First Lady Melania Trump has enjoyed carrying baby elephants on a safari in Kenya.

The first lady fed one of the baby elephants with bottled formula at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Nairobi.

Mrs.Trump is in Africa for first solo trip to four countries which she described as “four beautiful and very different countries in Africa” Ghana, Kenya, Malawi and Egypt.

Melania Trump started with in Ghana, where she visited mothers and their newborns, and toured a former slave trading fort before making a brief stop in Malawi and toured a primary school.

President Donald Trump tweeted: “Our country’s great First Lady, Melania, is doing really well in Africa. The people love her, and she loves them! It is a beautiful thing to see.”

US First Lady Melania Trump walks and sings with children at the Nest Childrens Home Orphanage : AFP PHOTO

The office of the first lad has termed the tour as a “showcase” for the work of the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

Mrs Trump landed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at around 9pm on her maiden visit to Kenya ahead of her talks with First Lady Margaret Kenyatta on Friday. From Kenya, She is expected to visit Egypt.

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Melania Trump visits Ghana slave fort on first Africa tour

Agnes Tumuheire — Wed, 03 Oct 2018 15:21:26 +0000

Melania Trump with local chief Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II before visiting the fort: PHOTO BY DAILY GRAPHIC

“dungeon is really something that people should see and experience” and “what happened so many years ago is really a tragedy,” Mrs Trump said.

From Ghana, Melania Trump will visit Kenya, Malawi and Egypt, which she describes as the “four beautiful and very different countries in Africa” before concluding her Africa tour.

Mrs Trump intends to spend a whole week in Africa helping with children welfare.

“It’s very emotional. I will never forget [the] incredible experience and the stories that I heard.”

School children welcoming Mrs Trump in Accra on Tuesday : PHOTO BY REUTERS

To achieve her aim of providing humanitarian aid, the first lady visited the Ridge Hospital in the capital, Accra together with Ghana’s First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo.

Mrs Trump observed babies being weighed as part of a project aimed at promoting nutrition in children, which is supported by funding from the US government’s foreign aid organisation, USAid.

“She is interested in Africa because she has never been there before and knows that each country will have its own unique history and culture.” Stephanie Grisham, her communications director, said.

“My final stop, which is Egypt, will focus on the country’s tourism and conservation projects,” Mrs Trump said.

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Uganda may incur extra costs for In oil refinery construction

Agnes Tumuheire — Mon, 01 Oct 2018 08:02:25 +0000

How the Uganda Oil refinery is expected to look like after construction

The Uganda oil sector is likely to spend quite more money than the anticipated $4 billion for the construction of the Hoima-based oil refinery following the failure of the East African Community to buy the whole part of the share it was allocated.

Although Total SA has taken up a total share of 10 per cent stake, Uganda has been forced to take up an additional 11.5 per cent mounting its shares to 19.5 per cent.

A share of 40% had been given to Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi which is 8% each with the remaining 60% share reserved for private investors.

However, only Tanzania took up its full share of eight per cent ; Kenya took up 2.5 per cent while Rwanda and Burundi had not expressed interest in the facility by the expiry of the period set aside for the partner states to take up the shareholding.( The East African)

According to Irene Muloni, Uganda’s Energy Minister, Uganda had to take up the shares that were not claimed.

“Total is taking 10 per cent, Tanzania eight per cent and Kenya 2.5 per cent. Uganda will take the remaining 19.5 per cent shares if no other country expresses interest,” she said.

Uganda is constructing a 60,000 barrels- a -day oil refinery in Hoima district which was contracted to a consortium led by American multinational General Electric.

The refinery is expected to commence oil production in 2020.

Over 70% of the project will bet funded through debt and share holders to take-up the remaining 30% share.

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Insurance companies form body to cover risks in Uganda oil and gas sector

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Melania Trump to visit Kenya on first solo trip to Africa

Agnes Tumuheire — Thu, 27 Sep 2018 07:10:39 +0000

Melania Trump with husband president Donald Trump : COURTESY PHOTO

United States of America‘s first Lady, Melania Trump has made an announcement that she intends to make a solo visit, the first of its kind, to four African countries in October.

Melania Trump made this declaration yesterday on September 26, 2018 while at a reception at the United States mission to the United Nations in New York.

The four countries that the first lady calls “flowers” of Africa are Ghana, Malawi, Kenya and Egypt where Melania plans to add a brick to child welfare especially education and health.

“October 1 will mark the first day of my solo visit to four beautiful and very different countries in Africa,” Mrs. Trump said.

Mrs. Trump plans to fulfill her mission through popularizing her “Be Best”, a youth-welfare centered initiative.

“Whether it is education, drug addiction, hunger, online safety or bullying, poverty or disease, it is too often children who are hit first, and hardest, across the globe,” Mrs. Trump said. “Each of us hails from a country with its own unique challenges, but I know in my heart we are united by our commitment to raising the next generation to be happy, healthy and morally responsible adults.”

Also present at the event were the first ladies of Ghana, Malawi and Kenya whom Mrs. Trump recognized individually.

On Wednesday, Donald Trump remarked that he and Melania “love Africa.”

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Uganda to face USA in World University Netball championships

Agnes Tumuheire — Mon, 03 Sep 2018 08:25:39 +0000

The host country Uganda is to face USA, Singapore and Kenya in Pool A. Defending champions, SouthAfrica will play in pool B with Namibia, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka.

The Federation of International University Sports – FISU has already released draws for the September 2018 World University Netball Championships scheduled to take place at Makerere University.

Over eight netball teams from eight countries have already confirmed participation.

The draws based on the FISU ranking were made at the headquarters of international university sports, based on the University of Lausanne campus this week.

The games are scheduled to take place between September 17 and September 21.

South Africa won the last edition in Miami, USA where Uganda finished fourth after being beaten to the bronze by Australia.

The Ugandan team will have three experienced players of the She Cranes Betty Kizza, Mary Nuba and Joan Nampung. The trio represents Nkumba University.

The World University Netball Championships is a women’s indoor tournament with a maximum of 12 teams competing.

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Obama in Kenya before heading to South Africa

Agnes Tumuheire — Mon, 16 Jul 2018 14:01:56 +0000

Former president of the US, Barrack Obama is in Kenya for a quick visit into his homeland before heading to South Africa

Barrack Obama with Leader of Oposition Raila Odinga (right) and half sisiter, Auma Obama(left) PHOTO FROM VOA NEWS

On arrival for his first post-presidential visit into the homeland, the ex-president was welcomed by head of opposition in Kenya, Raila Odinga and other top officials at the airport.

He has also received a warm welcome from the Kenyans especially residents from his hometown, Kogelo, who decorated the entire streets with paintings of him. Some bars also publicized the “Obama brew” drink as harshtags of ‘Obamareturns’ flooded social media platforms.

Obama is expected to attend, his step-sister, Auma Obama, co-founded sports and vocational center inauguration ceremony from which he will head to South Africa for late Nelson Mandela’s birthday celebrations.

Auma Obama’s center, which shares the same mission as Obama foundation, is set to provide educational and economic opportunities to youth so as to build a talented and financially stable young generation.

Obama will stay in South Africa up to Thursday and he is expected to meet up with 200 new leaders for the Obama foundation as well as participate in a birthday tribute to former south African president, the late Nelson Mandela.

Unlike the previous visit, Obama has maintained a low key profile on this visit. He has used an ordinary plane and also left his favorite car known as “Beastie”.

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Kenya’s EALA elections set for tomorrow

Isaac Senabulya — Thu, 07 Dec 2017 13:58:04 +0000

President Uhuru Kenyatta addressing East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA) members at the National Assembly

Kenya MPs will elect nine representatives to the regional East African legislative assembly on December 13th this year.

The ruling Jubilee Party will get five and the opposition National Super Alliance four slots for the regional Assembly.

Kenya had delayed to elect EALA representatives because of long electioneering period and this had delayed constituting this assembly.

In South Sudan, President Salva Kiir withdrew the names of the nine members after a citizen, Wani Santino Jada, had filed an application at the East African Court of Justice stating that the elections were not conducted according to the East African Community Treaty rules,but they settled the matter the representatives were elected .

Representatives of EALA from Uganda, south sudan Rwanda Burundi and Tanzania were elected and are waiting for other countries to send their members for this regional body to be properly constituted and sworn in to start work.

Nine Ugandan representatives who were elected by the 10th parliament to EALA, who are waiting sworn included ; Christopher Okumu Opoka ,Susan Nakawuki ,Mukasa Mbidde , Dennis Namara ,Mary Mugyenyi ,Steven Odong , Paul Musamali , Mathias Kasamba and Hon. Rose Akol .

READ MORE KENYAN NEWS HERE

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