Michael Buteera Mugisha critiques Mr Ggoobi's view on the importance of GDP, arguing that it offers an uncritical and one-sided explanation. He points out the discrepancy between Uganda's GDP growth and rising poverty levels, questioning the assumption that GDP growth equates to increased happiness and prosperity for all. Mugisha suggests that a good thesis should account for the variation in GDP structure and its different impacts on society, and that economists should integrate political economy and sociological insights to better understand GDP growth variations.

The article discusses Uganda's significant national debt, which stands at $23 billion, nearly half the size of the country's economy. It criticizes the current economic management under Mr. Ramathan Ggoobi, noting the approval of supplementary budgets without funds and subsequent borrowing. The stagnation of Uganda's tax revenue at 13% of GDP for over a decade is highlighted, alongside the Uganda Revenue Authority's (URA) high tax rates at low income levels. The article also points out the persistent current account deficit and the failure of economic policies to transform the economy, leading to limited opportunities for workers and investors. It mentions Uganda's high entrepreneurial activity but notes it is driven by survival rather than innovation. The decline in agriculture productivity and marginal growth in manufacturing are seen as indicators of the failure of the economic model promoted by the Bank of Uganda, Ministry of Finance, and international advisors. The article calls for a rethinking of this model, focusing on growing exports, production, and productivity.

The article discusses the public health challenge of schistosomiasis, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa where over 90% of the global burden exists. It highlights the socioeconomic impacts of the disease, which predominantly affects school-aged children, leading to various health issues including growth retardation and cognitive impairment. The World Health Assembly has endorsed mass drug administration (MDA) with praziquantel (PZQ) and albendazole to combat this. Despite MDAs in Rwanda, high prevalence rates persist, raising concerns about PZQ efficacy and potential drug resistance. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends regular monitoring of drug efficacy, especially after several rounds of MDA. The article emphasizes the importance of continued vigilance in monitoring drug resistance to ensure the effectiveness of schistosomiasis control programs.

The article discusses the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections, which are a significant public health burden in tropical and subtropical regions, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, the Americas, China, and East Asia. It highlights the World Health Assembly's endorsement of mass drug administration (MDA) to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with STHs, specifically targeting pre-school and school-aged children. Despite efforts, many countries, including Rwanda, have not met the WHO's goal of eliminating STH as a public health problem by 2020. The article emphasizes the importance of monitoring anthelmintic drug efficacy, particularly the egg reduction rate (ERR), and mentions the need for regular assessments and potential strategies to prevent drug resistance. It also notes that while albendazole has been widely used and is well-tolerated, its co-administration with praziquantel in areas where STH and schistosomiasis are co-endemic requires efficacy monitoring. The article concludes with the mention of a study conducted in Rwanda to monitor the efficacy of single-dose albendazole among STH-infected school children.

The article discusses the impact of trust networks on democracy, particularly how they can both support and undermine democratic processes. Trust networks, which include kinship groups, religious organizations, and professional associations, historically tend to avoid political involvement. While they can promote social capital and ethical values, they may also limit broader democratic engagement by segmenting citizens and reinforcing the role of intermediaries, which can reduce direct citizen participation in politics. The author suggests that democracy may be revitalized by external pressures that trust networks cannot manage, such as economic crises. The current global economic challenges, exacerbated by post-Covid supply chain issues and the energy crisis due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, could lead to increased political mobilization that transcends trust networks and fosters a citizen-led movement demanding state responsiveness.

The article discusses a qualitative study aimed at exploring the conditions for teaching critical thinking about health interventions using digital technology in Rwandan lower secondary schools. The study used document review, interviews, focus group discussions, and observations to gather data. It found that the Rwandan curriculum emphasizes critical thinking as a key competence, and health topics are integrated across various subjects. However, there is a variation in teachers' understanding and teaching of critical thinking, and critical thinking about health is not explicitly taught. The study also revealed that most public schools have computers and internet connectivity, but the use of ICT in teaching is limited due to low computer-to-student ratios. The conclusion is that there is a need for digital learning resources to develop critical thinking skills, particularly about health, which can be incorporated within the existing curriculum and used flexibly across subjects.

RH Bophelo, a majority black-owned healthcare group listed on the JSE, with a market cap of R 578,741,250 and owning over 20 hospital facilities in South Africa, is expanding its reach to East Africa with a secondary listing on the Rwandan Stock Exchange. CEO Quinton Zunga and Rwanda Stock Exchange CEO Pierre Celestin Rwabukumba discuss the company's commitment to transforming the healthcare sector in Africa. RH Bophelo aims to increase access to quality healthcare through private-public partnerships and support of governments. The move is seen as a response to the current health crisis, with the private sector playing a crucial role in managing the crisis and mitigating economic impacts. The listing date is set for June 1, 2020, marking the start of a new era for healthcare in Africa.