The research tracked newspaper and online media coverage of telecoms including MTN Uganda, Airtel, Africell and Uganda Telecom from January to June 2018.

In a report done by researchers from Ultimate Multimedia Consult (UMC) said most of what Ugandans know about telecom companies is from advertising and promotions, with few if any news stories or investigations into the work and promotional offers of telecommunication companies.

“Telecom companies impact the lives of almost every Ugandan today, through their internet, calling, sms and mobile money services. You would expect that journalists and commenters would be producing news and analysis on the work of telecoms to help Ugandans make informed choices on what product, service or offer is most beneficial or valid. But this is not the case,” said Gerald Businge, the Team Leader at Ultimate Multimedia Consult.

Businge said in the six months, there were only 82 news stories and 13 analysis articles of the 898 stories published about telecoms by newspapers and online publications. He says the majority of the stories published were advertorials. “Even most news stories resulted from press releases,” he said.

The research warns that such Telecom advertising burnout of news and editorial coverage will continue to hamper better service delivery by telecom companies. “There are many concerns from the public about telecom services. From dropped calls, slow internet, undelivered sms, internet bundle charges to service offer prices. It would be good if journalists did more scrutiny and investigations into these issues. But the research has shown most of the coverage in newspapers is advertised messages and whatever the telecom company say is right,” says Derrick Senyonga who heads Research and Training at UMC.

This adds to widely held concerns that due to their huge advertising muscle, telecom companies have “bought off” any possible scrutiny of their services from any media house.

The research report also expressed concern that telecom companies were not doing enough to communicate to their service users using the traditional media, online publishers or even their own websites. “There are limited explanations or updates on their respective websites or social media pages about current services or the how of things,” Senyonga says, adding that members of the public need more than adverts to make informed choices on telecom services.

The report commended MTN Uganda for leading in communicating about its services and offers, both in newspapers, online publications and on their website. “Even in facebook and twitter, MTN has registered more routine posting and engagement. MTN was followed by Airtel, Africell and Uganda Telecom respectively in media coverage, posting and engagement.

You can download the full report Media coverage and communication of telecoms in Uganda.

The post NEWS RELEASE: Communication Of Telecoms In Uganda first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

Fish on display in Gaba landing site.

A new study has found out that eating a lot of omega 3 fatty acids found in oily fish like tuna and salmon can greatly increase one’s chances of survival from  bowel cancer.

The study released and published Wednesday by the British journal Gut bases its findings on an analysis of data from more than 170,000 people in the United States that revealed that among 1,659 who developed bowel cancer, there was a strong correlation between higher omega 3 intakes and lower risk of death.
“Compared with patients who consumed less than 0.1 grammes (0.004 ounces) of omega 3 fatty acids daily, those who consumed at least 0.3 grammes daily after their diagnosis, had a 41 percent lower risk of dying from their disease,” the study says.
“If the findings can be reproduced in other studies, patients with bowel cancer might benefit from boosting their oily fish intake to help prolong their survival.”

Further research was needed to prove the link was not coincidental, and that omega 3 actively lowered death risk, said the team.

Yet, the findings “provide the first line of population-based evidence for the potentially positive impact of oily fish omega 3 fatty acids on bowel cancer survival”.

Omega 3s plays a crucial role in growth and healthy brain function, but cannot be manufactured by the human body.

They are ingested through so-called “fatty” fish and other seafoods, some plants, and certain nut oils.

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Lead researcher Flavia Matovu Kiweewa

After a very successful research on the use and prevention of the transmission of HIV from males to females by use of the Dapirvine virginal ring among Ugandan women, now the women who were used to carry out the research on and their men have come out to praise the new technology saying it is a success and comfortable to both partners. Among the women on which the research was carried one Allen Hasfah, a wife to one Musasizi Godfrey, testifies that during the trial period of 3 years they were able to have their men comfortably as they had no fear of catching HIV/AIDS which they say will also give their fellow women more courage to decide on their future in regards to HIV since men are always moving out with other women whom they are not sure of.

Still, Musasizi Godfrey distances himself from reports which have emerged claiming that when women use this ring they tend to have high sexual desires saying the ring has nothing to do with someone’s sexual behavior adding that it is very much comfortable.

However, the lead researcher Flavia Matovu Kiweewa from Makerere University and John Hopkins University confirm that the research which was carried out among 253 women whom they consider to be at risk of contracting the disease in the country reveals that women aged above 25 years adhered to the method showing that 61% of them were standing higher chances of not contracting the disease but those between 18 -21 years did not adhere to the methods with the reason being that they were not much comfortable having the ring which saw them remove it and hence catching the disease.

Results continue to reveal that 27% of the women who had the ring did not contract the disease after the two years of the research as the experts monitored them for a couple of years.

The post Women praise the Dapirvine virginal ring first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

Releasing the results, Dr. Clemensia Nakabiito, a senior consultant obstetrician and gynecologist who is also the lead person in the research and Flavia Matovu Kiweewa from Makerere university and John Hopkins university confirm that the research which was carried out among 253 women whom they consider to be at risk of contracting
the disease in the country reveals that women aged above 25 years adhered to the method showing that 61% of them were standing higher chances of not contracting the disease but those between 18 -21 years did not adhere to the methods with the reason being that they were not comfortable having the ring which saw them remove it and hence
contract the disease.

Virginal Ring

Results continue to reveal that 27% of the women who had the ring did not contract the disease after the two years of the research as the experts monitored them for a couple of years. The researchers are now planning to innovate another virginal ring that can stay for more than four months and as well as contraceptives that can prevent unwanted pregnancies compared to this one that is inserted for just a month and is replaced.

A similar research was also carried out in Malawi, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Uganda and now the researchers hope that when the ring is licensed by the authorities, then Ugandans will be able to access it at only USD 5.

The post Scientists who invented virginal ring now seeing results first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

Over the years a good night sleep has been found to be important to one’s health and well-being.  Sleep helps your brain work properly, is involved in healing and repair of your heart and blood vessels, helps you function well throughout the day, have a better sex life, better mood and weight control, clearer thinking, better memory, stronger immunity, and many more such rewards. Many people do not give sleep the credit it deserves and hence skimp on a good night’s sleep.

Facilities at WSU’s Sleep and Performance Research Center
Photo credit: Washington State University

The study further notes that no matter how hard a person wants to make the right choice, sleep loss does something to the brain that simply prevents it from effectively using feedback. Hans Van Dongen, a widely recognised scientist in the area of sleep, said that “People in high-stakes environments are held accountable for their actions when they are fatigued just like everyone else; however, we now know that when someone is sleep-deprived their brain simply can’t process feedback from their actions and changing circumstances.’

“Our findings tell us that putting sleep-deprived people in perilous environments is an inherently risky business and raises a number of medical, legal and financial implications,” he said.

Lack of sleep is not only dangerous to one’s health and wellbeing but can prove detrimental to other parties too. The American Psychological Association gives pointers on sleeping well:

• Keep a regular sleep/wake schedule
• Don’t drink or eat caffeine four to six hours before bed and minimize daytime use
• Don’t smoke, especially near bedtime or if you awake in the night
• Avoid alcohol and heavy meals before sleep
• Get regular exercise
• Minimize noise, light and excessive hot and cold temperatures where you sleep
• Develop a regular bed time and go to bed at the same time each night
• Try and wake up without an alarm clock
• Attempt to go to bed earlier every night for certain period; this will ensure that you’re getting enough sleep

Therefore, it is imperative for everyone to get the needed sleep. Recommended hours are 16 for babies, 10 for 3- 18 year olds, 8 hours for 19- 55 year olds and 6 for those over 55.

Always remember: When sleep is sound, health and happiness abound.

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The internship will start in January 2013. The successful applicant will spend their time honing their journalism skills in Cape Town and at Research Africa’s sister offices in London, as well as go on a reporting trip to an African country.

The intern will work with Research Africa’s excellent editorial team which produces news and analysis on African research funding and science trends on the continent. Non-South African applicants will be prioritised.

Research Africa will cover the costs of travel to and from South Africa, accommodation and a small stipend. Visa costs will be reimbursed if valid receipts are submitted. The internship is funded by Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) as one of their five science journalism awards.

Applicants need to propose a short research project that they will carry out during their internship. This should investigate a topical issue related to the popularisation of research in Africa.

Applicants must also submit their curriculum vitae, three recent articles (print or electronic) and a letter of permission from their line manager confirming that they would be allowed to take seven months off work (paid or unpaid leave).

Applicants should be mature, self-motivated and independent, with fluent written and spoken English and a high degree of numeracy. They should be computer literate, and able to use word processors. Competence in both PC and Mac environments is recommended.

Please email application, including certified copies of academic degrees, to sjp@research-africa.net with the subject line: Research Africa-IDRC science journalism internship. Deadline: 20 November 2012.

The post Research Africa wants science journalism intern in South Africa first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

The internship will start in January 2013, and is open for a communicator based at an African university, think tank or research institute. Suitable applicants include press officers, research managers and outreach staff. Non-South African applicants will be prioritised.

The successful applicant will get a deep understanding of how the media works by assisting Research Africa’s excellent editorial team. They will write and research articles for the Research Africa newsletter about academic life in African research institutions, as well as seek and test strategies to popularise research, and the activities in various national contexts that promote research and scientific communication.

Research Africa will cover the costs of travel to and from South Africa, accommodation and a small stipend. Visa costs will be reimbursed if valid receipts are submitted. The internship is funded by Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) as one of their five awards in science journalism.

Applicants need to propose a short research project that they will carry out during their internship. This should investigate a topical issue related to the popularisation of research in Africa.

Applicants must also submit their curriculum vitae, recent examples of their communication work (print or electronic), and a letter of permission from their line manager confirming that they would be allowed to take seven months off work (paid or unpaid leave).

Applicants should be mature, self-motivated and independent, with fluent written and spoken English and a high degree of numeracy. They should be computer literate, and able to use word processors. Competence in both PC and Mac environments is recommended.

Please email application, including certified copies of academic degrees, to sjp@research-africa.net with the subject line: Research Africa-IDRC research communication internship. Deadline: 20 November 2012.

The post Research Africa seeks communication intern in South Africa first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

Women who take certain ulcer drugs have a small increased risk of hip fractures in later life, latest research suggests.

A study published in the British medical journal found a link between long-term use of proton pump inhibitors and bone fractures in smokers. Protons are used to treat heartburn, reflux and ulcers.

The research tracked almost 80,000 nurses in the US aged between 30 to 55 years. They were followed up in later life to see how many of them had developed hip fractures after the menopause.

The researchers found out that smokers or ex-smokers taking proton pump inhibitors had 50% increased risk of hip fracture compared with women not taking medication.

Walakira Nyanzi

Ends

The post Ulcer drugs linked to fractures, new research first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

Researchers from the Center for Disease Control, the Montpellier University Hospital in France, UK Department for International Development, UNICEF, and professors at Oregon health and Science University in US have agreed to work as a team in studying and unearthing the cause of nodding disease. The disease has killed over 1,000 children in Uganda, South Sudan and Tanzania.

Peter Spencer, a professor of neurology (School of Medicine) at Oregon Health and Science University in the US confirmed the development and said the new comprehensive study would involve examining the food, and drinks consumed by the nodding disease patients among others.

Spencer says that the researchers would also focus on establishing the environment in which the nodding disease viruses grow up and how effective the disease can be treated/ controlled.

The professor says that they want establish whether the syndrome is neurologic, psychiatric or both. He says that the victims who will be found to be having the neurologic type would be removed from epileptic drugs and a new type of treatment prescribed for them.

Phillip Gelisse, an expert in epilepsy at the Montpellier University Hospital in France says that the research will help the World Health Organisation (WHO) to understand the nodding disease.

The post Professors at Oregon health and Science University begin research on nodding disease first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

The Borlaug Leadership Enhancement in Agriculture Program: The Borlaug Leadership Enhancement in Agriculture Program (LEAP) is a fellowship program, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), to enhance the quality of thesis research of graduate students from developing countries.

Awards will be made on a competitive basis to students who show strong scientific and leadership potential, have a well coordinated proposal between their home university, a US university mentor, and the CGIAR mentor, and whose research is related to a strong research and support project within the host country.

Emphasis will be placed on work that has relevance to the national development of the student’s home country.

Awards will be made three times a year but applications may be received at any time. The focus region for the current Request for Applications (RFA) is sub-Saharan Africa.

An eligible candidate for a Borlaug LEAP grant must bea citizen of a USAID-assisted country

Applicants in the field of animal agriculture may be from any USAID-assisted country.

Applicants in the field of agriculture must be from sub-Saharan Africa.

Deadline: Applications are welcome throughout the year.

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