TRUE / FALSE : Besigye on mortality rate.

CLAIM. FDC presidential candidate Kizza Besigye says because of the country’s poor health services, 19 women die everyday while giving birth. Former prime minister and independent presidential candidate Amama Mbabazi also quoted the same statistic last month. While campaigning in Masaka district, Mr Mbabazi said: “We know that 19 women die in labour every day [because] our health system is in a state of crisis….”

FACT. It is obvious the two presidential hopefuls were talking about the state of maternal mortality in the country. Maternal mortality ratio is the number of women who die from pregnancy-related causes. Uganda’s Millennium Development Goals target is to reduce maternal mortality from 435 per 100,000 births to 131 by 2015. According to the ministry of health statistics and the World Health Organisation (WHO), currently, maternal mortality stands at 300 per 100,000 live births. On average, the country is losing about 13 women per day. Health Permanent Secretary, Dr Asuman Lukwago, yesterday confirmed this figure. Abortion accounts for about 28 per cent cases. In June 2013, WHO report indicated that Uganda was eighth among the African countries that were making progress in reducing maternal mortality.

CLAIM. Besigye claims that President Museveni’s handshake with him in the Pope’s presence after 15 years was a power handover rehearsal.

The truth.
Although President Museveni said in January this year that he is not ready to hand over power to Opposition leaders, last month, he told a news conference in Arua that that he was ready to hand over power if defeated in the February 2016 general election.

Verdict.True, but only God knows the next president.

Policyticks

Constitutional reforms: Constitutional review that will consider the wishes of Ugandans as well as granting federal to deserving regions. Besigye says if a federal system is adopted, power and resources shall be shared equitably between regions and the central government .

Electricity: Make electricity affordable and accessible to Ugandans and also make digital migration a choice for the rich and the poor.