Iranian Nuclear science students: Is the world safe?

By Robert Mugisha

About 1,300 Iranian university students have applied to switch their majors to the field of nuclear sciences following the assassination of a top nuclear expert in Iran

"Three hundred talented students at Sharif University and about a thousand brilliant students at the country's universities have applied in recent days to change their major and start studying nuclear physics and nuclear engineering," Kamran Daneshjo, Iranian Minister of Science Research and Technology, said in a press conference Monday, according to Iran's Tehran Times.

Daneshjo's comments came five days after the assassination of 32-year-old Mostafa Ahmadi Roshan, a former graduate of Sharif University and, until his death, the deputy director of the Natanz uranium enrichment facility, according to Iranian media.

Assasinated: Iranian Scientist, Mostafa Ahmadi Roshan

Roshan was killed Jan. 11 when a magnetic explosive device was slipped under his car by a motorcyclist and then detonated, according to Iranian news reports. He is the fourth Iranian nuclear scientist assassinated in the past two years

What is a nuclear weapon?

One of the largest atomic bombs in the world

The global security institute defines a nuclear weapon as a weapon whose explosive power is generated by the process of nuclear fission (an atomic bomb) or nuclear fusion (a hydrogen or thermonuclear bomb).

How is a nuclear weapon different from a conventional weapon?

In order to create a fission or fusion reaction, a nuclear weapon must use what are commonly called fissile materials, either plutonium or highly enriched uranium (HEU), to fuel its explosion. A conventional weapon does not use fissile materials as its explosive fuel. As a result, even a nuclear weapon with a relatively small yield is much more destructive than any conventional weapon, with the capability to nearly destroy an entire city.

What happens in a nuclear explosion?

A nuclear explosion is the result of a rapid release of energy from a nuclear reaction, either fission or fusion. The result is an enormous blast of energy and thermal radiation.

Nuclear Fission: In a nuclear fission reaction, the nucleus of an atom is split into two smaller nuclei and other by-product particles. If this process is uncontrolled, as in a nuclear weapon, it starts a chain reaction whereby large amounts of energy are rapidly released. Nuclear fission is the type of nuclear reaction that was used in the atomic bombs the United States dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki during WWII.

Nuclear Fusion: Whereas an atom is split in the process of nuclear fission, in a nuclear

Fusion reaction many nuclei come together to form one heavier nucleus, causing the release

of great amounts of energy in self-sustaining reactions. Thermonuclear weapons involve

Hardliner: Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

both fission and fusion.

What is a kiloton? A megaton?

 Kilotons (kt): a unit of measuring the explosive power of a nuclear explosion. This

measurement is in relation to the explosive power of an equivalent amount of TNT. For example, a 15kt nuclear explosion (the size of the explosion in Hiroshima) has the explosive power equivalent to 15,000 tons of TNT.

Megatons (Mt): Also in relation to the explosive power of an equivalent amount of TNT, amegaton is the explosive power equivalent to 1 million tons of TNT, or 1,000 kilotons. This level of power can only be obtained through a thermonuclear or hydrogen blast.

If you wanted to picture the amount of TNT needed for a 1-Megaton explosion, imagine a

200-mile long train filled with TNT; for a 5-Mt bomb, a train 1000 miles long.

Iran is said to be capable of making nuclear bombs in months

Are we safe if all the 1300 students graduated as specialists in nuclear science?

The writer is a second year student of Journalism and Communication at Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.

Is UMEME ripping off Ugandans with new high power tarrifs?

By Faridah Namakula

The cliché, ‘dropping from the frying pan in to the charcoal stove has recently gained significance in Uganda with the new increase in power tariffs. While Ugandans lamented the high prices for commodities, fuel and utilities, another bomb dropped when the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) announced increment in power tariffs with effect from 15^th January, 2012. Tariffs for domestic consumption are to be increased by 36% and for industrial use by about 26%.  This is in addition to the periodic 24 hour load shedding. The increment was precipitated by government’s announcement to remove power subsidies on power. Government argues that it intends to use the money for the subsidies to invest in other dams so that there is enough power generated for domestic and industrial use.

Besides the impact of increased charges that are about to be felt, the power outages have already caused loss of millions of shillings to both small and big enterprises, from saloon operators, maize mills to production and manufacturing industries. It is common these days to find Kampala streets in a blackout at night. The situation is not any better during the day since city traders in the arcades spend several days a week without power. If the power is available then it lasts only a few hours.

The recent policy by power suppliers to resume the 24 hours load shedding is virtually affecting all sectors of the economy. It has exacerbated the current economic meltdown that arose out of the global economic crisis, which has hit world economies to the extent of bringing down some governments in Italy and Greece.

Whereas the country has been suffering from deficient power supply for some time, the current crisis has reached unbearable levels. People took to the streets to protest the precarious situation in which they find themselves. However things have not changed. The response from the authorities has been quite unconvincing; ranging from increased consumption, breakdown in machinery to failure by government to pay private companies generating power.

Officials from the energy ministry and private power suppliers attribute the shortage to low power generation and supply, and the increased costs of thermal generation. It is also true that the number of people seeking to be enlisted on the grid is on the rise as the population increases. Power supply has however been constrained, with the country relying on only one dam, Nalubaale, for power generation. This dam, which was constructed and opened in 1954, can no longer meet the power demands of the country. In 2000, another dam was constructed along the Owen falls dam to boost production. This did not however address the acute power shortages.

Government has promised to address the crisis by constructing other dams in Bujagali and Karuma. Whereas Bujagali is expected to be opened in 6 months time, construction of Karuma is yet to begin. There is little hope though that the crisis will be adequately addressed because of the megawatts expected to come from Bujagali. This means the solution will be temporary. A permanent solution could lie in constructing small and multiple dams in various areas to meet situational and geographical power needs.

Meanwhile, Kudos to parliament for suspending the increment of the electricity tariffs. Parliament has halted the electricity authority’s plans to increase electricity charges until all legal processes have been followed, and all stakeholders consulted. This has set ERA and parliament on a collision course with each party maintaining their stance on the matter. Parliament contends that ERA did not go through the necessary procedures established by the law to effect the changes, and so they should be suspended. ERA contends that parliament has no authority to block the increments. This impasse is likely to create more confusion around the issue of tariffs.

The current crisis should enjoin government to seriously consider exploring other sources of energy like wind and solar. Hydro power has proved costly to produce, and may not be a panacea to the country’s power problems. Hydro power is largely vulnerable to the vagaries of nature and when the country is bedeviled by acute dry spells, water levels are adversely affected. This in turn affects power generation hence the incessant power crisis. Construction of hydropower dams has also attracted criticism from environmental activists who regard such huge dams as a big danger to environmental conservation and preservation.

Taxes on such aspects like solar panels and generators should be examined by government to encourage their importation and use so as to minimize pressure on hydro power. Government should also marshal efforts to fast track the exploration of oil in the Albertine region so as to create opportunities for the emergence of thermal generation and increase availability of power in the country.

Government should also create incentives to attract investment in the energy sector. In this regard a good tax regime and conducive political and economic environment are essential to realizing this goal. There is need to also consider the emerging debate in the country for the government to take over management of the power sector from the private investors up to such a time when the situation has stabilized.

The writer is a second year Masters student of journalism and communication at Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.

Prof Gilbert Bukenya’s re-election: about time we got a law to stop ex-convicts from contesting for public office

By Pamela Nabukenya Wairagala

On 1^st December, former Vice President Gilbert Bukenya was declared winner of the by-election for the Busiro North parliamentary seat, which fell vacant early October after a successful law suit against Bukenya in which voter bribery was cited as the grounds for nullifying his victory.

Surprisingly, Bukenya was among the four candidates that were successfully nominated by the Electoral Commission to contest in the by-election, which he went on to win with 10,728 votes (76.7% of valid votes cast) ahead of Kasta Hussein Bukenya whose successful petition had pulled the former Vice President out of the August house. Kasta, who was the second after Bukenya, polled 3,025 votes, representing 21.7% of the valid votes while the remaining two candidates barely managed 250 votes between them.

Of interest however is the fact that in a constituency with 48,320 registered voters, only 14,518 (30%) participated in the by-election. Not even the Electoral Commission could explain the low turn-up and Mother Nature could not be blamed either, for the heavens only opened up at five o’clock, the official poll closing time.  Some circles have blamed the heavy police deployment for scaring away the voters, but I believe that for a population that got used to coming face to face with tear gas canister wielding policemen during the two editions of the “Walk to work” campaigns, when Gen. Kale Kayihura’s boys exhibited some of their not so popular antics, mere police presence is not deterrent enough.

Former VP, Prof Gilbert Bukenya in court awaiting judgement.

In his victory speech, the former VP said the voice of the people should not be mistaken this time around. “The people have re-affirmed what they stated in the February election,” Bukenya commented. But had they??

If you are voted by 22% of the whole constituency, how legitimate is your representation? In essence, 78% have not sent you to speak on their behalf. Unfortunately this is becoming a common trend, even at general elections. The voter turn-up keeps reducing. Could it be that the voters have actually given up on the electoral process? Are the roots of voter apathy deepening? What then does this mean for a nascent democracy such as Uganda’s? Is there hope?

But the Busiro North vote is just a tip of the iceberg. Whom does the electoral process in Uganda really serve? And what quality of democratic rule does it seek to foster?

Aren’t the three arms of government (The Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary) supposed to be independent but working together with clear roles and power stipulated by the constitution? Could it then be that these arms are not working for the common good, but undermining each other’s power and authority? How then do we explain the fact that someone who is found guilty by the Courts of law (the Judiciary) and subsequently thrown out of parliament (Legislature), is free to contest for the same seat, wins it and goes back to start exactly where they left off? Is it even worth it for tax papers’ money to continue being wasted in these so called by elections, with the current electoral law? Do the leaders, especially those that temporarily loose their seats, only to get them back, learn anything?

Media reports claim that Prof. Bukenya opted not to have open campaigns, lest his political opponents mistook that for voter influencing! But was that the best lesson the good old Prof. could learn from this whole process? How about others like him, do they learn anything from temporarily becoming un-honourable?

How about if the electoral law was more stringent? For example suspending or even completely banning politicians who are found guilty of committing electoral offences from participating in elective politics? Wouldn’t our good representatives act more honourably, especially when interfacing with their disadvantaged constituents?

While some may argue that voters should learn to reject the politicians’ bribes, the situation on ground is very different. For a common man for whom sugar, paraffin, soap and even salt have become a “Christmas” affair, if some politician’s visit translates into “Christmas in February”, so be it.

I believe that for as long as the electoral law remains unchanged, allowing convicted office bearers to contest for the same offices, voters will continue to be taken advantage of, and their votes exchanged for paltry offers. Until the rules change, the game will always be played the same way, with the same results!

The writer is an MA student of Journalism and Communication at Makerere University, Kampala Uganda.

Is the availability of cheap ARVs fanning the AIDS flame?

By Rebecca Muyizzi

Over the past two decades, President Yoweri Museveni has combined efforts with local, national and international organizations to campaign against the HIV/AIDS scourge, which has already claimed the lives of millions of people.  

However, it is sad to note that AIDS continues not only to kill millions of people but also lower the life expectancy of Ugandans. This has also affected the country’s labor force, reduced agricultural output and food security and also weakened educational and the health services.

Surprisingly, many people don’t believe that Aids still kills. As much as HIV/ AIDS is a subject that has been talked about globally for many years, in many media channels, the society is still complacent.

There is an assumption that, HIV/AIDS is like any other treatable disease. A friend of mine who works with the Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC) had this to say, “The current HIV prevalence rate in Uganda today is estimated at 6.5 among the adults and 0.7 among children.     The number of new infections in 2009 was 120, 000, which exceeds the number of annual death toll in 2009 which was 64, 000.  So it is feared that   HIV prevalence rate in Uganda may be rising.’’      

However, though many organizations like TASO, the Uganda Aids Commission, JCRC, government and private hospitals have come up to help reverse the situation, the HIV/AIDS scourge  still remains a challenge to individuals, families and societies at large. One wonders why the HIV prevalence rate is escalating.  Uganda as a country begun to implement routine or opt –out testing, where anybody can enter a health care facility, government hospitals and is tested.

One of the reasons is that the availability of drugs like the ARVS delays the onset of the disease. Many people may look healthy but when they are already infected with the virus.

 It can be believed that ARVs drugs have changed the perception of HIV/AIDS from a death sentence to a treatable manageable disease. This may have reduced the fear surrounding HIV and in return, it has caused an increase in risky behaviors.

One wonders, what can be done to change the behavior in society.  If one talks about abstinence from sex, especially those who are not married, it is unbelievable, the society thinks it is not possible.  Abstinence could be one of the controversial areas in HIV prevention campaign.  A teenager in my locality said, “We are in our adolescent age, trying to adventure in all activities including sex, how can someone say that abstinence is the way to go?”    I was so surprised to hear such a statement from a young boy.  However, this revealed to me something   which I thought would help parents, counselors and guardians.  It is not enough to tell the youth that Aids is still a deadly disease,   but there is need to keep praying for  them, such that  God assists them to understand the importance of being  male and female  creatures.

In the old days, the virtue of virginity was so important and respected. Unfortunately these days’ young people shun it.

President Museveni has been encouraging the married people to be faithful to their partners.  He normally uses the phrase “Zero- grazing”.  This term comes from the agricultural practice of tying a cow or a goat to a post restricting it to a zero shaped section of grass.  Unfortunately, in Uganda today there is an increase in multiple partnering.  An official from the Ministry of Health made a comment that the number of sexually active Ugandans who are reported to have more than two or three sexual partners has increased in the previous   years.

What more could be done to stop the scourge that continues to spread like a wild fire? 

The writer is a postgraduate MA student of Journalism and Communication at Makerere University.

Is Museveni talking peace with Besigye a New Year’s gift or round two of the Nairobi "peace jokes"?

By Julius Aboko

It is not that I don’t believe in surprises or better still, unlikely miracles. However, as I enjoyed seeing 2012 emerge from its shells, I woke to the really unexpected news (and possibly I am not alone in this) reading: Mkapa to chair Museveni, Besigye talks. The news, which had been published in the New Vision, indicated that the two leaders have actually agreed to talk and resolve their differences.



Too good to be true: News that Beisgye (above) can talk peace with Museveni.

According to the story, Besigye expects the talks to review the previous elections, campaign financing, electoral reforms as well as the restoration of the Presidential term limits. Museveni on the other hand is said to be ‘open to the talks’, but among others, asked Besigye to denounce the walk-to-work protests, denounce violence as a means to changing government and accept complicity in treason activities.

Although I wanted to believe that the talks could actually take place, the nature of the two sets of demands looks, to me, like a rough edged stone being pushed through the mouth of a pot, which is not just clay, but badly undersized.



Having derailed the Nairobi peace talks a.k.a "peace jokes" in 1985,
 can Museveni be trusted to engage in peace talks with Besigye?



One does wonder how comfortable Museveni will be in discussing campaign financing, yet he knows tough questions like the sh20m, which was given to MPs to purportedly supervise NAADS during campaigns, will most likely come up?  How will Museveni convince Besigye that the NRM got its over sh20b campaign money through clean processes, yet the FDC leader believes the President’s party used state resources?

How will Besigye accept complicity in treason activities, yet he knows those charges were preferred against him and colleague activists as a political witch-hunt tool?

Now, assuming the highlighted issues will really form the backbone of the proposed talks, does anyone see a light at the end of the tunnel? I don’t quite think so. Anyway, if it comes, and the parties agree, then it’s worth celebrations. But, first pray that it doesn’t turn out to be a joke.

The writer is a postgraduate MA student of Journalism and Communication at Makerere University.