Kampala Tackles Air Pollution Crisis with New Technology

Kizza Besigye, a leading Ugandan opposition figure and four-time presidential candidate, was taken back to a maximum-security prison on Wednesday after appearing in a civilian court, where his health condition raised concerns. Lawyers attempted to secure his release, but a judge found him too frail to follow the proceedings, according to reports from local media. Besigye has been detained since November, leading to growing calls from supporters and human rights groups for improved medical care and his release. His family reported that he began a hunger strike in protest against his continued imprisonment. This came after Uganda's Supreme Court ruled that military tribunals lack jurisdiction over civilians, prompting legal arguments for his immediate release. As Besigye's situation worsens, observers warn that further deterioration could incite unrest in Uganda, where political tensions are high ahead of presidential elections next year. President Yoweri Museveni, in power since 1986, dismissed calls for Besigye's release, citing serious charges against him, including treachery—a charge that carries severe penalties.

The iconic crested crane, a symbol of Uganda's national identity, is at risk of extinction, with its population plummeting from over 100,000 in the 1970s to just 10,000 today, according to Nature Uganda. Farmers in western Uganda report that the birds damage crops, leading many to disregard laws protecting them, which mandate life sentences or hefty fines for those who kill a crane. Local conservationists highlight that traditional beliefs once revered the bird, with a history of superstitions discouraging its killing. However, as crop damage rises due to an expanding agricultural sector, including encroachment into crucial wetlands, farmers increasingly resort to poisoning the birds. "One of the biggest threats against cranes is poisoning by farmers," noted Gilbert Tayebwa, a conservation officer. Despite conservation efforts and government rallies to restore wetlands, the situation remains dire. Adalbert Ainomucunguzi of the International Crane Foundation warns that without immediate intervention, Uganda faces the loss of this treasured species. The Ugandan government has declared 2025 a "Year of Wetland Conservation" to address the pressing crisis.

The recent halt of foreign aid by the U.S. government, announced by President Donald Trump, has severely impacted healthcare services in Uganda, particularly for individuals living with HIV. Mike Elvis Tusubira, a 35-year-old motorcycle taxi rider, shared that he can no longer access essential medications for himself and his wife, leading to the deterioration of their marriage due to the inability to practice safe sex. According to the BBC, Tusubira and his wife relied on supplies funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which closed programs crucial to their health after the abrupt aid freeze. Uganda, which received $295 million in health funding from USAID in 2023, is among the top recipients of U.S. aid in Africa, and the cutoff threatens to reverse progress in combating HIV. In Malawi, similar shutdowns have halted operations at health clinics and left patients scrambling for care. Experts warn the impacts of this funding interruption could result in an additional 6.3 million AIDS-related deaths globally within the next five years, according to UNAIDS' Winnie Byanyima.