Intolerable Frustrations in Company Name Reservations

Bakampa B. Brian,

Kampala, Uganda.

Monday, 10^th August, 2020.

The Registrar General,

Uganda Registration Services Bureau,

Plot 5, George Street, Georgian House,

P.O. Box 6848, Kampala, Uganda.

Dear Sir,

Re: Intolerable Frustrations in Company Name Reservations

Thank you for the very good work you are doing at URSB. The Bureau has quite a good reputation among many of your clients, and the general public in general that you serve. I for one, I have been a long admirer, defender and apologist of the manner and style of doing work and efficiency at URSB. Thank you for a job well done.

But there have been frustrating events lately in the company name reservations system, which have got me thinking that the glorious days of URSB are gone, and could be gone forever, if no urgent interventions are made. These days I often wish we could have our fantastic Bureau back.

For a long time, company name reservations were done by registrars who are lawyers, but I am reliably informed that URSB adopted a policy of replacing them with registrars from other professions, notably the economics field, like Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts in Economics, and so on. I believe you have your reasons for this policy shift, but please be informed that some of these people are doing a terribly shoddy job, and need some legal training on the principles guiding company names, and their registration. My views are based on recent frustrating experiences I faced while trying to reserve company names, as explained below.

1.                  Around December 2019, I tried to reserve a company name called HIPIPO FOUNDATION at your Nakivubo-Sekaziga House branch. But the lady registrar there refused to reserve it saying that the word HIPIPO does not have a meaning. I was very shocked, because as a basic principle of law, a name – more so a company name – need not have a distinct meaning. I wondered whether herself she knows the meaning of her religious name, as we call them in this part of the world (although there is actually nothing religious about these names, because they are ethnic where they originate from). Anyway, I went to another branch, and had it reserved. But this was inconveniencing.

2.                  In July 2020, I applied to reserve a name, KONCEPTS, via email, and I received an SMS message saying that my application was successful. I travelled to your head office at Georgian House, to pick a printed reservation slip, but I was assured by attendants there that the SMS message was enough, I should proceed to pay and file the required forms. I contacted my clients, they signed all the forms, I made all payments, and submitted the forms. To my dismay, I received an email shortly after saying that my company name cannot be registered because there is a similar name that is already registered in your system. My appeals for reconsideration were futile, and my clients and I were forced to start the whole process again. Fortunately, Mr. Kwesiga Amos, who was the contact person in this matter, was kind enough to fast-track the process. But my clients were disappointed for not getting their cherished name, all of us were generally inconvenienced, especially in terms of time and money lost in the process.

3.                  I spent the whole of last week, 3^rd to 7^th August 2020, trying to reserve a company name, but without success, for what I can see are largely flimsy reasons. I submitted a total of 12 names, proposed by my clients, none of which was reserved.

(i)                 First, I lost a day (Monday, 3^rd August, 2020) because unknown to me, the reservation email was disabled. I learnt that now applications have to be made by filling an online application form, which I filled unsuccessfully for the rest of the week.

(ii)               On Tuesday, 4^th August, 2020, I submitted three choices (i.e. THE RESIDENTS LIMITED, THE RESIDENT ENABLERS LIMITED, and THE RESIDENTS GROUP LIMITED) via the online application form, but these were rejected for reason that, ‘The Proposed Names Are Undesirable.’ Whatever ‘undesirable’ means, I respected the registrar’s decision, and advice to propose other names.

(iii)             On Wednesday, 5^th August, 2020, I submitted three other choices i.e. PATHWAYS LIMITED, GLOBAL TICKETERS LIMITED, and CITIRESI LIMITED. This set was rejected because the, ‘Proposed Name Is Similar To Existing Company Names.’

(iv)             On Thursday, 6^th August, 2020, I submitted three other choices i.e. XXL IMMIGRATION AGENCY, GO IMMIGRATION AGENCY, and THE GLOBE IMMIGRATION AGENCY. This set was rejected because it was, ‘… queried with the following reasons. "Please Note That We Dont Register Abbreviations, Modify Your Option And Submit." (Emphasis in the original.) Quite frankly, I don’t know where your registrar gets the view that any of these names is an abbreviation. Probably he or she is talking about GO, in GO IMMIGRATION AGENCY, but this refers to the verb of going. Even then, there are two other options; what happens to them? Why were they not considered and chosen from?

(v)               On the same day, Thursday, 6^th August, 2020, tired of rejections, I submitted another set of names to be considered i.e. WINO LIMITED, VICH LIMITED, and PATHRESI LIMITED. But this set was also rejected because, ‘1-  Proposed Name Is Similar To Existing Company Names 2-  Hello Please Note That The Reservation Is Rejected Because Of Smillar Names; Pata Enterprises Limited × pati I Limited × patsam Enterprises Limited × twino Limited × vidach Limited × vivica Enterprises Limited.’

Honestly speaking, when I look at the options I submitted compared with the names which your registrar thinks they are similar to, I am not convinced that none of my options could succeed. Certainly, a trained mind would not think that PATHRESI LIMITED conflicts with PATA ENTERPRISES LIMITED, PATI I LIMITED, or PATSAM ENTERPRISES LIMITED. I don’t even think VICH LIMITED conflicts with VIDACH LIMITED, or VIVICA ENTERPRISES LIMITED. I believe any of these two names should have succeeded, and been reserved.

So, clearly you can see that to a large extent, some of your registrars are doing a perfunctory job, working merely as a duty or routine, without care or interest. Unfortunately, their irresponsible decisions affect us negatively, because we cannot finalize the incorporation process without reserved names. In my case, my clients and I are now totally stuck.

I call upon you, Sir, to put URSB in order, by particularly giving some legal training to the new crop of registrars who are non-lawyers. Better still, you may want to reinstate lawyers back to registrar positions, because for them they are already trained and know what to do. There are many lawyers who are able to serve in that capacity.

For now, my clients request that the names XXL IMMIGRATION AGENCY, GO IMMIGRATION AGENCY, and THE GLOBE IMMIGRATION AGENCY be reconsidered for reservation on their merits. Their ticket number was NR - 44202. Your help will be appreciated.

Yours faithfully,

[signed]

Bakampa B. Brian

Mob.:   +256-753-124713

Email:  bakampasenior@gmail.com

Cipla Quality Chemicals and Government of Uganda Manufacture and Distribute Sub-standard Malaria Tablets

Bakampa Brian Baryaguma

bakampasenior@gmail.com; www.huntedthinker.blogspot.ug

Ndejje Health Centre IV is located in Uganda, Wakiso district, Makindye-Ssabagabo sub-county, Ndejje division, Zanta parish. It is a public health facility, owned by the Government of Uganda, responsible for offering health services to people of Makindye-Ssabagabo, and surrounding areas. Health Centre IVs are designed to work within five kilometers, serving a target population of 100,000 people, more especially in rural areas, providing 24 hours in-patient and emergency services. They are mainly public health facilities from where patients are assessed, diagnosed, stabilized, and are either treated or are referred to other health facilities for further treatment.

 A sign post of Ndejje Health Centre IV, at the facility’s premises.

On Tuesday, 2 October, 2018, at about 8:30 PM (East African time), I was feeling unwell: feverish, general body weakness, and lack of appetite. Judging from these symptoms, I automatically knew that it was malaria, because for many years, I suffered from it, and treated it.

Throughout my malarial history, two drugs cured me: Fansidar, and Coartem. For many years, Fansidar was the commonest, but it was later replaced with Coartem, of 24 tablets, on a chart-like cover, having a picture of a mosquito, and the head of a person. I call this the old Coartem. After the old Coartem, other versions like Lumartem, Artemether, Artefan, and other brands were introduced.

The old Coartem looked like this (though not quite it, because I don't see the mosquito here).

In my case, it is the old coartem that cured my malaria. All the other new brands didn’t work on me. Buying them was always a waste of money and time, because I wouldn’t heal. I had to go back and look for the old Coartem. Its scarcity from the market continued worsening rapidly, until a time when it could only be found in government health facilities.

So, when I fell ill on 2 October 2018, as usual, I went looking for the old Coartem in all nearby private health facilities, but I didn’t find it anywhere. Then I thought of going to Ndejje Health Centre IV, a government facility in my neighborhood.

  This is the facility’s driveway, and main compound. This photo was taken on Saturday, 13 October, 2018, at about 1:30 PM. The place looks deserted on weekends, and public holidays.

I walked to, and reached at the facility at about 9:15 PM. I had only passed by this facility once, sometime back, during the day, while familiarizing myself with the Ndejje, Zanta area. But on 2 October 2018 was my first time to enter its compound. I entered its half gate (yes, one part of the gate is not there, leaving a dilapidated stand-alone half), and followed the driveway, looking for the reception. The place looked deserted and was as quiet as a graveyard, since there was nobody around – not even a security guard! The lights were on, the doors on the lower section were closed, but most of the windows were open. I continued to the upper section, where the maternity ward is, looked around, but still there was no sign of anyone. Then it dawned on me that the place was actually closed. I hang around in bemusement and astonishment, wondering how such a big and important health centre could be closed, and completely unattended to, at this time. I worried for the security of the facility, and safety of the taxpayers’ properties there. After about 20 minutes of disappointment, I decided to leave, go back home, and try my luck the next day.

 This is the main gate. Half of it fell off, and is not there. It’s impossible to cordon off the facility.

On my way out, I saw two shop attendants, opposite the main gate. I decided to go and ask them about the working hours of this place, and why it was closed very early in the night. They told me that it is generally closed during the night and open during the day; so it would be better for me to come during the day, the next day. But they said that if I am very sick, I can go to the maternity section, where I may find some people to help me. They directed me to the upper end of the driveway. This was about 9:40 PM.

I went there, found the building open, entered, paced around the corridor looking for attendants, but I couldn’t see anyone. So, I called out, ‘hellooooo…, abeenoooo….’ Then, a lady came out from a small room nearby, and asked how she can help me. I said I was feeling unwell, and believed it is malaria. She advised me to come back early morning, the next day, at 9:00 AM, since the hospital section that handles sicknesses like mine is always closed in the night. I asked her whether I can get the old Coartem from this facility. She said they are in the store, and they are free of charge. I thanked her, and left.

The next day, Wednesday, 3 October, 2018, I came in the afternoon, at about 2:30 PM. I wasn’t able to come in the morning, as advised, because there was something I had to attend to urgently and get it out of the way, before starting treatment. In any case, that is a health facility that should be open for the greater part of the day – so I thought.

When I reached there, I saw a gentleman wearing a clinical white coat. I approached him, greeted him, told him my problem, and asked him to guide me on what to do. He told me to first buy an exercise book from the nearby shops. I asked him why I had to buy a whole exercise book. He explained that I just need a small 32 pages book, for the doctors or nurses to write in, as they processed and monitored my treatment and recovery progress. Then he showed me the reception desk, where an attendant would formally receive me, and advise me on where to go next. I thanked him, and went to buy an exercise book, from a small metallic kiosk, located within the hospital premises, near the main gate.

 It was the first time I bought, and actually held, this kind of book in a very long time; probably my last time was in early primary school, about 20+ years ago!

I took the book, and waited at the reception desk, near the main entrance. I waited for some time, but no one came to attend to me. There was a woman seated next to me, who had checked in earlier, and was waiting for her laboratory test results. I asked her where new patients report to. She pointed to the empty chair and table in front of us, saying that there should be someone there. After getting her results from a nearby office (room 5), she advised me to also enter, and talk to the doctor there. This was about 3:10 PM. I went in, and found a tall, slim, and dark young man, who was packing things in his bag. He was clearly preparing to go. I greeted him, and requested him to help me, since there was no one at reception. He agreed, sat in his chair, took my book, and asked me to tell him my problem. I told him how I was feeling, and added that I know it is malaria. He asked me whether I had tested myself to confirm it. I said I hadn’t tested from anywhere, but I just know myself. He took some notes, and told me that, ‘Here, we first conduct a blood test to confirm the disease.’ ‘That’s okay,’ I said. Then he directed me to look for the laboratory, in room 12. I thanked him, and left.

 This is the reception area, with its reception table and chair. The grey door, seen in the extreme left, is room 5, where I checked in, on arrival. Although the writing on the wall states, in clear capital letters that ,‘ALL SERVICES OFFERED HERE ARE FREE,’ I discovered that not all services are actually free, as I shall tell you shortly.

I found the laboratory at the lower end of the building. This was about 3:20 PM. I found there another young girl, also waiting for a blood test. I greeted her, sat on a bench, in the corridor, waiting for the lab attendant. After about 20 minutes, he came, opened and entered the lab, and then came out to pick our books, after about three minutes, before entering and locking himself inside again. After about five minutes, he came out, and called me in. He pointed at a chair, and told me to sit on it. He said that he has been told to test me for malaria and typhoid. He informed me that the malaria test is free, but typhoid test is for Shs 5,000. I had little money on me, which I planned to use for emergency in the following days of treatment, mainly for drinks and eats, especially when I lacked appetite. So, I requested him to leave out the typhoid test for now, since I was even sure that I don’t have typhoid, because I always endeavor to drink boiled water. He agreed, pricked my second left-hand finger, squeezed blood from it onto a small white glass, for testing purposes, covered my finger with cotton wool, and told me to wait outside. He then called the girl. At about 4:15 PM, the lab technician returned our books, and told us to go to room 5 (where I was first received) for further assistance.

 This is the main entrance building. The laboratory is at the extreme lower end of the building, near the white vehicle. In the middle, at the lower side of the verandah (with a blue inscription), is a waiting area for patients who are about to be attended to, especially after they have got their lab results. The reception is on the upper window, of the upper side of the verandah. Photo taken on Monday, 8 October, 2018, at 11:10 AM.

We waited at the reception, to be called in. After a while, a nurse collected our books and took them inside. I was called in shortly. I found in an attendant who, as soon as I opened the door, asked me, ‘Ssebo, don’t you have a mosquito net?’ I smiled, and said that, ‘I have it.’ He offered me a seat in front of him. ‘You have malaria,’ he said. He scribbled some notes in my book, which I understood to be medicine prescription ‘Wait outside, I am coming,’ he added. I learnt later that his name is Wasajja. He was a nice, and jolly guy.

After seeing the other young girl, Mr. Wasajja came out, rushed to the store, picked a register book in which to record our details, got various drugs, found us at the reception, and wrote on the medicine dosage schedules (like 2x3, 1x3). He recommended that I swallow the new versions of Coartem. I realized that he brought Lumartem tablets, but had picked very many of them, which I brought to his attention. I knew that they were very many because I am aware that being an adult, I need 24 tablets only, for three days. Mr. Wasajja told me to pick what is enough for me, as he continued writing in the register book. He kept telling us repeatedly that it is late, but he has helped us to get the medicine. He was basically saying that he was doing us a favor of serving us late. I thanked him for his sacrifice. Actually, since he was rushing to leave, at first he brought and wrote in a wrong register book; but he crossed out later on, after realizing his mistake. Then he went back, brought the right book, and recorded afresh. ‘Do you see how you have caused me to make a mistake?’ he asked us in Luganda. We just kept quiet, smiling sheepishly. Probably he was just being funny and naughty, but not really meaning to blame us for his own mistake, in which we played no part at all.

 This was my prescription, including Lumartem tablets, cipro, panadol pain killers, and others. I thank the Government of Uganda for availing the drugs in public health facilities.

I told Mr. Wasajja that only the old Coartem can cure me of malaria. The new brands like Lumartem do not heal me. I requested him to give me the old Coartem, if it is there. He informed me that the old Coartem is not in stock, because government no longer imports it, since we now have a company (Cipla Quality Chemical Industries Ltd, which is commonly known as Quality Chemicals) that manufactures malaria drugs in Uganda. He advised me, however, that I should swallow the available tablets, and if they don’t cure me as I say, then I come back and get injections. He assured me that the process would be quick, and not hectic. I thanked him again, and left, at about 4:30 PM. I swallowed the tablets as instructed, from the first to the last, although I knew that it would be a waste of time, since they don’t cure me. They only give me temporary relief; and I badly needed that now.

During my medication, my brother visited me, and we discussed the fact that I was swallowing tablets, but without hope of healing. We were concerned that we have poor quality medicine on the market. Then he got one of the Lumartem packs, and inspected it. To our surprise, the malaria medicine manufactured by Quality Chemicals is meant to be given to people weighing between 15 kilograms to less than 25 kilograms. This basically means that it should be given to teenagers, but not adults (like me, weighing 68 kilograms). Probably this is the reason why it doesn’t cure me. Although, I am not a medical practitioner, I think swallowing low grade medicine is very dangerous for people’s health, because it causes drug resistance, eventually leading to death from the very disease intended to be prevented. I call upon Parliament, and Ministry of Health to investigate, and solve this problem, in order to save lives. The Government of Uganda shouldn’t condone this absurdity, by distributing substandard malaria medicine.

 Judging from the weight bracket indicated on this pack, this medicine should be given to young boys and girls. It is not meant for adults.

After three days of taking medicine, I realized that I had been given way too many tablets, in all the other categories I was given. So, I learnt that there is a lot of wastage in such public facilities, and this is dangerous for many reasons: for instance, one, it is obviously a waste of public resources; and two, some patients may end up taking overdose, thinking that all tablets must be swallowed. Anyway, since medicine is not food to be shared with others, I safely disposed of the excess tablets, by flashing them in the toilet, and threw away their polythene covers in a dustbin.

I finished swallowing my medication on Saturday, 6 October, 2018, in the morning. The truth is that I wasn’t cured. I still felt ill, and weak. So, the following day, Sunday, 7 October, 2018, I went back to Ndejje Health Centre IV, for follow up. Remember that Mr. Wasajja told me to go back for checkup, after finishing my dose, and that if malaria is detected again, then I would be put on higher treatment of injections. I went in the afternoon, at about 1:45 PM. I found the place deserted. It was empty, without anyone in the compound. But the entrance to the reception was open. So, I went to see who was there. I found three ladies seated and chatting in a nearby counter. I greeted them, and told them my story. One of them said they don’t work on issues like mine on weekends. She advised me to come back the next day; Monday, 8 October, 2018, at 9:00 AM. I thanked her and left.

On Monday, I went there early; by 9:30 AM, I was there, ready to have the blood test for malaria. I asked an attendant whether I also have to go through the process of checking-in again. She told me that I don’t; I should go straight to the laboratory, and wait to be called upon. So, I went there. I found there many people already waiting, sitting on a bench in the corridor. I joined them. Many others came, and soon there was no more space on the bench. Many remained standing. Several people kept on entering and leaving the laboratory, without saying anything to us. Soon there was growing discontent and murmurs of discomfort among patients. There was drama when a dumb man, who had allegedly fallen from a true, kept shouting, objecting to women who wanted to jump the line. His noises were funny, and amusing to many present.

The lab attendants began work late; at about 10:45 AM. My turn came, and I entered. Unlike on my last visit when there were only two people, this time I found many attendants in the lab. I gave my book to the lab supervisor, who read through, and asked me what the matter was. I told him that I had come to have a confirmatory test, to see if malaria got cured. He wrote something in the book, and told his assistant to take my blood sample. The book stayed with them, and I was told to wait outside, in the outpatients’ waiting shade. That’s the procedure for all patients.

 The out-patients waiting shade.

I stood at the verandah of the reception area, gazing at the high number of people who had come for treatment. I was also watching and studying the general environment in and around the hospital area. Then a lady employee came, and stood next to me, as if pondering her next move. I asked her whether this place works on Sundays. She said that doctors here don’t work on weekends and public holidays. She continued on her work, and soon after I joined others in the waiting shade, where I found the other man, who could not speak. We connected well, and became “friends,” albeit short lived. I think it’s because I welcomed and accepted him, while others chose to avoid him. But because he couldn’t speak, none of us knew his name. After about 40 minutes, a female attendant came to the shade with a bunch of books, called out names, and told them to follow. 10 minutes later, a male attendant came, also read out names, which included mine and the dumb man, and asked us to follow him. Some (including the dumb man) remained to be worked upon by someone at the reception desk, while I was referred to room 5.

In room 5, I found the other young, slender attendant who received me the first time I came (henceforth, I shall call him ‘the young slender doctor’). He told me that I have malaria. I agreed and explained to him that I was coming for the injections, after the tablets didn’t cure me of malaria. I asked him if I could get medicine for malaria injections in stock. He said, ‘We shall get it.’ He told me to wait outside, promising to call me later. He called in other patients that he had to see, and when they were over, I saw him move out, to the store.

He went there a couple of times, and finally called me in. I found him standing, and in a hardly audible voice, he asked me, in Luganda, ‘Do you have some money?’ I said I hadn’t heard. ‘Do you have some money? he repeated, more audibly. ‘Money for what?’ I asked. ‘We need money to get the medicine,’ he said. ‘How much?’ I asked. ‘20,000,’ he said. ‘To be honest with you, I have only 10,000. Can we get the medicine?’ I asked. He nodded his head, and said, ‘We shall get it.’ ‘Thank you,’ I said. ‘Bring it,’ he said. I got the money from my wallet, and gave it to him. He pulled small bottles and a syringe from a pocket on his white clinical coat, and asked me to follow him. We moved around, looking for an empty room, with no people, from which to administer the injection, but didn’t find any. Finally, he settled for a treatment room, where there were other colleagues of his, and their patients. I understood later that he didn’t want his workmates to know that he got money from me.

In the treatment room, he mixed the drugs, and sucked them into a syringe, ready to inject me. Thereafter, he got a cannula (sic), and tried to fix it in a vein on my left hand, but he failed to find one. He kept twisting the cannula needle in my hand, looking for a vein, but without success. It was painful, and soon my hand started bleeding and swelling seriously. Then he pulled it out, and asked me to give him my right hand.

 My bleeding, and swollen left hand. I still feel pain, probably because the bones were hurt with the cannula needle.

One of the nurses in the room saw that the young slender doctor was struggling, and failing to find a vein in my hand; so, she offered to help him locate it, on my right hand. She found it quickly, and with admirable ease. After ensuring that the cannula was well placed in the vein, the nurse started fixing it firmly on my hand, using a bandage.

 My bandaged right hand, soon after receiving my first injection. The bandage stayed on, for the two days of treatment.

After placing the cannula, the young slender doctor injected the medicine in me slowly, through the upper part of the cannula (the blue part). This was about 12 noon. I asked him what medicine it is. He told me that it was Artesunate (commonly abbreviated as Artesun). He explained to me that a dose is of three injections, administered in three phases, for three days. In other words, one injection every day, for three days. Since the next day (Tuesday, 9 October, 2018) was a public holiday (Independence Day), the young slender doctor told me that he wouldn’t be available. So, he gave me medicine for the following day, and advised me to find a health Centre from where it could be injected in me. He told me that it should be administered after 24 hours (one day).

But another attendant, known as Ukasha, after castigating him for being slow in treating patients, corrected him, saying that it should be administered after 12 hours, meaning that I was to receive the next injection at midnight – not midday, of the next day. Wow! I was about to suffer a case of wrong prescription, in terms of time, but Mr. Ukasha’s intervention saved me. As I received the injection, there was some discussion in the room, during which Mr. Ukasha, looking at me straight in the eyes, complained, in Luganda, that, ‘The problem is that our patients don’t part with anything.’ Meaning that their patients don’t give them any money (bribes); but the young slender doctor assured him that for me, I give something.

 This is the medicine given to me, for second dose, to be had at midnight, on Independence Day. I thank the Government of Uganda for availing the medicine in public health facilities.

 This is the medicine given to me, for second dose, to be had at midnight, on Independence Day. I thank the Government of Uganda for availing the medicine in public health facilities.

At midnight, I went to a friend of mine, a health worker, and requested him to mix the medicine, and inject it in me. He did. Then I went back to my home, for rest, and get ready for the last dose, at midday, of the next day, Wednesday, 10 October, 2018.

By 11:30 AM, of Wednesday, 10 October, 2018, I was at the health centre to receive my last injection. By this time I was feeling much better – almost cured, which reminded me of the old Coartem days, when I would be feeling well after the first two days of swallowing tablets. I found Mr. Ukasha there, in the treatment room. He told me to wait outside, so that he first finishes treating the patients inside. After about 10 minutes, he called me in, and told me that the young slender doctor told him that I still have some money of his (Shs 15,000) so I should give it to him (Mr. Ukasha). I said that I cleared the young slender doctor, so there was no debt. Mr. Ukasha said that we should call the young slender doctor to confirm this. He said that he wasn’t sure of the young slender doctor’s number; so, he gave me about four numbers to call, but they all turned out to be of other women. It was now about 10 minutes past midday, because he kept moving in and out, giving me different numbers to call. Finally, he said that it was getting late; so, I should give him the money, and he gives me the medicine. I said I could only afford Shs 5,000. He agreed, I gave him the money, and he administered the injection. Then, he removed the bandage, and cannula from my hand. He gave me another dose of Lumartem tablets to swallow, starting the next day – Thursday, 11 October, 2018. He also gave me excess tablets, just like Mr. Wasajja had done earlier. When I asked about this, he told me to count and pick tablets enough for me. I thanked him for giving me the medicine, for treating me, and left.

 The second dose of Lumartem tablets, after injections. I thank the Government of Uganda for availing the drugs in public health facilities.

There was a woman with a sick boy child, who was also receiving injections, for a sickness I didn’t know. She got a Shs 2,000 note, gave it to Mr. Ukasha, and told him to remove Shs 1,000. Mr. Ukasha asked her why he shouldn’t take it all. She said the other Shs 1,000 was for transport. He removed his share, and gave her change. That’s how seriously corrupt some of our public officials are: they will extort money from our poor people up to the maximum.

As we conclude this story, it is my pleasure to say that I feel fully healed of malaria, after getting the Artesunate medication. I thank the staff of Ndejje Health Centre IV for treating me. Once again, I thank the Government of Uganda and donor partners for availing the medicine in public health facilities. I realize that it seems I carried malaria in my body for many years, because I used to be constantly weak, fatigued, and sleepy, before I got this medication; I even had an enduring pain in my left knee, after I was pushed down by a mentally deranged woman neighbor of mine, in July 2018. After the medication, I am energetic, alert for most of the day, and the pain in the knee is going away. Malaria is a very terrible disease!

 The adolescent clinic at the health centre runs on a time schedule like that of a day care school. Unfortunately, virtually the whole facility runs a similar schedule now. A person can easily die from there, outside the indicated working hours.

During my last visit, there were women patients who were complaining that female attendants at the facility are harsh, and rude. That their work ethics are so poor that usually they are too busy talking and chatting on their phones to attend to patients. That particularly at the dispensary window, sick and ailing patients stand in pain, waiting for mean, showy, and insensitive nurses to attend to them, like giving them drugs. I call upon the responsible authorities in Wakiso district, and the central government to intervene and solve this problem.

The Role of the United Nations in Coping with World Demographic Changes

Bakampa Brian Baryaguma
bakampasenior@gmail.com; www.huntedthinker.blogspot.ug

Abstract:

Demographic and socio-economic studies are useful for planning and evidence-based decision making. With this in mind, this essay analyses world demographic changes and the role of the United Nations in coping with those changes in the world.

It analyzes the changes and discusses them in four general categories namely, fertility rates, the family, life expectancy, and migration.

It emerges that fertility rates are declining, but notes that the decline is worse in developed countries, more than developing countries. The family institution is struggling, under attack from negative social, political, and economic circumstances. Social and filial bonds are waning, leading to rampant family disintegration. Life expectancy has increased globally, mainly due to advances in medicines and improvements in living standards that have led to drastic reductions in mortality rates. Migration propels individual prosperity, and national economic development.

The role of the United Nations in coping with these world demographic changes is to enable and/or engineer further momentum in harnessing the positive attributes of change, while remedying the negative effects. It is to facilitate efficient sexual and reproductive healthcare and rights; to strengthen family values, and enable reunification; to ensure secure and dignified ageing for all; and modernize immigration systems and procedures.

These should be done as urgently as possible, before it is too late to salvage the situation, at the expense of our very existence, and prosperity.

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THE ROLE OF THE UNITED NATIONS IN COPING WITH WORLD DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGES

1.                  Introduction

A.                General Remarks

True to the adage that change is a fact of life, our world is constantly changing – in all ways: social, political, economic, and more. Change is unavoidable, for all of us: people, the natural environment, and human institutions.

Notable of the ongoing process of change are demographic changes, a term that literally denotes the study of statistics of births, deaths, diseases, etc, to show the condition of a community.[1] In short, demographic changes refer to dynamics in population of a given society (in this case, the world, as a whole), as indicated by shifts and/or variations in research data. World demography has been changing, and continues to change, rapidly; so much so that it is feared we may be heading for a demographic tsunami, or perfect demographic storm. These fears are not far-fetched: demographic changes have far-reaching implications on economic development, employment, income distribution, poverty and social protections, universal access to health care, education, housing, sanitation, water, food and energy. We must cope with the changes.

A key institution affected by the ongoing demographic changes is the United Nations (UN). The UN is a prominent and crucial actor in contemporary world affairs. As such therefore, its role in coping with world demographic changes should be well analyzed and understood.

B.                 About the United Nations

The UN is established under Chapter 1 of the Charter of the United Nations, 1945 (hereinafter ‘the UN Charter’). Article 1 thereof provides for the purposes of the UN. Briefly, they are:

(a)                to maintain international peace and security;

(b)               to develop friendly relations among nations, with a view to strengthen universal peace;

(c)                to achieve international cooperation in solving international problems; and

(d)               to be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations in attaining these common ends.

This is the mandate or general roles of the United Nations.

Logo and flag of the United Nations.

The specific role of the UN in coping with world demographic changes can be traced in its third general role i.e. ‘To achieve international co-operation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character….’[2]

This is because, one, changes in world demography are problematic, in so far as their repercussions threaten international peace, security, and stability, the maintenance of which is a core mandate of the United Nations;[3] and two, these changes satisfy the economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian characteristic test, stated by the UN Charter, in so far as the changes affect the global economy, as well as the social and cultural fabric, thereby necessitating humanitarian intervention.

In fact, some countries, like Belarus, have already classified demographic changes as a national security issue, and instituted national demographic security programs to cope with them.[4]

2.                  World Demographic Changes and the Role of the UN in Coping with Them

Changes in global demography are varied, and multifaceted, owing to differences in the location and composition of the world population. For example, population dynamics in poor countries are different from rich countries; those in predominantly Christian countries are different from predominantly Islamic countries; and so on.

These structural differences automatically translate into variations in demographic changes, hence calling for different approaches in coping with them. Therefore, from the onset, it is clear that the UN cannot have a strait-jacket – one size fits all – approach in fulfilling its role.

Martynas A. Ycas identifies four broad demographic changes namely, fertility, the family, life expectancy, and migration.[5] I have adopted Martynas’ simplified analytical model (since it still holds true, 23 years later), and built on it with further, and current information detail.

A.                Fertility

Fertility refers to the reproductive performance of a woman in her reproductive life.[6] In simple terms, it means the number of children that women of child-bearing age are able to produce. World fertility rates decrease and increase, causing demographic imbalances.

In the past, women were having many children. In the early 1970s, for instance, women around the world had about four children each.[7]

Currently, world fertility rates are a mixed grill. In developing countries, fertility rates are high, and the population is growing.[8] These countries are characterized by young populations, in which majority of people are children (0 - 17 years),[9] and youths (15 - 24 years).[10]

In contrast, in developed countries, fertility rates are generally declining, and are experiencing slow population growth, or none whatsoever.[11] They are rapidly ageing, or even depopulating.[12]

Overall however, presently women are having very few children. Global average statistics show that in 2014, each woman had around two children.[13] Although also declining, the figures are much higher in developing countries, like Uganda, where fertility rates dropped from 7.1 children per woman in 1991, to 5.8 children per woman in 2014.[14]

 Midwives attending to a pregnant woman in Cambodia, whose fertility rate is 2.7. Fewer women are interested in producing children these days. Photo credit: UNFPA.

The role of the United Nations in coping with imbalanced fertility rates is to promote sexual reproductive health and rights. According to United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), ‘Good sexual and reproductive health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being in all matters relating to the reproductive system. It implies that people are able to have a satisfying and safe sex life, the capability to reproduce, and the freedom to decide if, when, and how often to do so.’[15] This includes voluntary family planning.

For developing countries with high fertility rates, the UN, in conjunction with member states, civil society and donors, should develop comprehensive efforts to ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health care, in as accessible and simple a manner as possible, by for instance, establishing one-stop-centers where women receive family planning, antenatal care, HIV testing and general health needs, at once. This calls for strengthening health systems, improving human resources, well-functioning logistics systems, and availability of commodities like condoms, for protection against unwanted pregnancies, and sexually transmitted diseases.[16] If this is not done, these societies may remain trapped in a poverty cycle, unable to achieve economic development, and the benefits it brings.

The same goes for developed countries with low fertility rates, but for them there must be added, more ad hoc policies and initiatives geared towards encouraging reproductive women to produce more children. Particular countries are taking steps to increase fertility rates. In Spain, there are radio advertisements calling upon women to have more children, and home and transport subsidies are being introduced; Italy is introducing monthly cash baby bonuses.[17] Parental leaves that make it easy to combine motherhood with working life can also be introduced, since they have performed well in Norway and Sweden.[18] Having small and manageable families has propelled these countries to economic development. But now it is clear that development alone is not useful, if there is no one to enjoy and sustain it. This necessitates producing more people.

More critically however, the issue of youth unemployment needs urgent attention, and redress, because research indicates that some countries like Portugal and Belarus are losing young people in thousands, who are migrating to other countries in search of better employment opportunities, at the risk of collapsing their home economies.[19] In 2015, global youth unemployment stood at 12.9%, and rose to 13.1% in 2016, one year later.[20]

 State of youth unemployment and poverty in 2016. Source: Office of the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth.

From the above figure, it is clear that even many of the youth with jobs are actually poor. It means that the jobs they do are not decent, and fulfilling enough. In countries with high unemployment, this situation arouses inter-generational conflict, whereby young people accuse old people of overstaying in workplaces, thereby denying them jobs. In Uganda, some youth activists petitioned government to lower the retirement age, in order to create jobs for them. Economic bottlenecks should be removed so that economies can work for everyone involved.

B.                 The Family

Societies are founded on individuals, who are primarily grouped together in families.[21] The formation, growth, and dissolution of families, has evolved gradually, largely in an unpleasant manner – unfortunately.

In the past, families were firmly rooted and grounded. Right from marriage, for instance, a standard nuclear family of father, mother, and children, was arranged, organized, supervised, and mediated (in case of misunderstandings) by the wider, extended family superstructure, guided by overall social norms of the community in which the family belonged. This rigorous system of social supervision ensured firm and stable families, leading to strong and integrated societies.[22]

Fast forward: today, to a large extent, the communal system that provided social safety nets is no more. Individual tastes and preferences hold sway over competing and conflicting extended family and community standards. Binding social bonds and values are virtually gone.

Consequently, families today are formed loosely, disintegrate flimsily, weaken easily, and break-up very fast.[23] This exposes the family institution to unprecedented sustained attack, left-right-and-centre, mainly due to continued harsh changes in the social, economic, political, and cultural environments in which the family operates.

Hence, as Martynas says, there is, ‘A decreasing propensity towards early marriage (or any marriage at all), an increasing propensity toward divorce, delays in childbearing, and a markedly increased proportion of children born outside of marriage [that] has led to a substantial decrease in “conventional” nuclear families consisting of husband, wife, and children.’[24]

Plus, alternative family types are emerging, headed by single parents (usually mothers), and children, whereby children look after fellow children. Quite unfortunate! These are characterized with low income earnings, hence plunging the members into poverty, often chronic in nature.

 Child headed household in Aromorach, Gulu district, Uganda. The eldest girl, a child herself, takes over the role of bread winner, taking care of her siblings, and the needy grandmother. The girl cannot adequately provide family basic needs, eventually resulting into deep poverty. Many of them end up as street children, and girls getting pregnant and becoming young mothers. Photo credit: Comboni Samaritans.

To cope with these family demographic changes, the United Nations should promote, and safeguard traditional family values of unity, love, respect, and care for other members. This way, extended relatives will still be obliged to take on, and look after helpless orphans, instead of leaving them to fend for themselves in all kinds of hardships.

Ensuring family reunification, in these times of common family separation due to wars, and natural disasters, is perhaps the most vital role the UN can play. Family bonds are sacred. In situations where families are separated, leading to movement of some members, the UN and its specialized agencies should endeavor to reunite them, as much as possible. The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) can partner with receiving states to ease travel restrictions, for the benefit of identified family members to reunite. For example, a recent BBC documentary found that the wars in the Middle East, like in Syria, have torn apart many families. That fortunately, some men (doubling as husbands and fathers) have obtained asylum and acquired refugee status in European countries like Germany. That unfortunately, after many years of failed attempts, they cannot reunite with their wives and children, because of prohibitive procedures, and blatant refusal by receiving states to accept them in. This subjects the men to psychological torture, and inhibits their social integration, and performance at their new workplaces, due to low concentration and boredom. The UNHCR can come in handy here.

C.                Life Expectancy

Life expectancy refers to longevity of people on earth i.e. how long a person lives, before dying. Previously, life expectancy was low, due to high death or mortality rates. Now that mortality levels are low, it is high. This has ushered in the ageing phenomenon, bringing with it opportunities and challenges, that the United Nations has to cope with.

1.                  Population Trends

Given increased life expectancy, the UN projects that world population will continue growing, except if fertility rates decline rapidly, as the graph below shows.

UNFPA global population projections.

In the past, human life was vulnerable and short, mainly characterized by many killer diseases, hunger and famine, and incessant fatal conflicts. All of these worked in unison to claim millions of lives across the globe. Mankind was subordinate to nature, yet nature is hostile to weaklings, but friendly to the strong. Nature was the biggest killer: brutal, unkind, and unforgiving.

Today, mankind has significantly tamed and conquered nature. It is no longer a mass killer. Consequently, nowadays people live very long lives. Global lifespans have increased from 64.8 years in the early 1990s, to 70 years today.[25] Human deaths have greatly reduced.

Unprecedented advances in science and technology have contributed greatly to high life expectancy. Scientific development has ushered in great inventions in medicines and vaccines, thereby eliminating several killer diseases. Technological growth has introduced safe work, favorable work environments, and user-friendly methods of work. Extremely hazardous work has been dealt away with. Improved healthcare has significantly reduced maternal mortality,[26] and infant mortality,[27] over the years. Improved global governance systems, and effective conflict resolution mechanisms, have reduced wars and other armed conflicts that claimed many lives especially, men’s. The prevailing peace and security in most parts of the globe has made it possible for people to live longer, peaceful, and happier lives, than ever before, although slightly higher mortality rates persist among the billions of people living in developing countries,[28] where life expectancy is slightly lower than the world average. Nevertheless, like in the rest of the world, fertility rates there remain higher, and haven’t fallen at the same pace as mortality levels.

2.                  The Ageing Phenomenon

The net effect of high life expectancy is that for once, more people are dying of old age, than say, killer diseases. It has ushered in the phenomenon of ageing, which is more pronounced in developed countries than least developed ones,[29] bringing with it both opportunities and challenges, that the United Nations should harness productively.

UNFPA points out very well the opportunities presented by ageing as follows:

The contributions of older persons to society are invaluable. Many such contributions cannot be measured in economic terms – such as caregiving, volunteering, and passing cultural traditions to younger generations. Older persons are also important as leaders, often playing a role in conflict resolution within families, in communities and even in emergency situations.[30]

It also points out the challenges as follows:

Yet they are also often vulnerable. They may have weak social support networks, lack income, or be subject to discrimination and abuse. Older women, in particular, are vulnerable to discrimination, social exclusion and denial of the right to inherit property. Women also tend to live longer than men, and may experience deepening poverty as they age.[31]

The cardinal role of the United Nations in coping with demographic changes occasioned by increased life expectancy, particularly ageing, is to ensure that people everywhere are able to age with security, dignity and their full rights. The UN should foster implementation of the 2002 Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, which, as stated by Article 1, aims ‘… to respond to the opportunities and challenges of population ageing … and to promote the development of a society for all ages.’[32]

 A beautiful family photo of the Mugesanis in Kenya, of four generations (i.e. grandmother, mother, daughters, and grandchildren) in one photo. Harmony in families is important for achieving the aspiration of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, of 2002. Photo credit: Mugesani Maureen.

This can be done through technical, financial, or moral support, of age-friendly policies in member states, in the wider scheme of policy dialogue, capacity building, data collection, research and advocacy. There are good examples of such policies and ideas from the East African Community (EAC), in Uganda and Kenya.

In 2009, the Government of the Republic of Uganda, through the Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development (MGLSD) adopted a National Policy for Older Persons,[33] with key emphasis on Ageing with Security and Dignity. Under this policy framework, the Government has a pilot program dubbed Senior Citizens Grant under which elderly people are given monthly grants of Uganda shillings twenty five thousand only (Ugx 25,000/=, about USD 7$), to old people of 60 years and above.

 An excited elderly woman receives a Uganda government senior citizens grant. Photo credit: The Guardian.

The program is meant to ensure that older persons are protected from risks and repercussions of livelihood shocks, by overcoming constraints that impede the development of their productive capacities. It is essentially a social security program, designed to fill gaps left by deaths and diseases (especially HIV/AIDS) in the traditional extended family social support mechanisms, leaving many older people with grandchildren to fend for.[34] The program is having a big impact, empowering Uganda’s vulnerable older people, since they can now afford to buy a few basic necessities like salt, paraffin, and soap.

Another one is a non-governmental self-help project in Kenya, launched in 2007, that trains old women, most of whom are grandmothers, in self-defense skills of kung fu, karate, and taekwondo, in response to young bandits who were raping women three or four times their age.[35]

 Older women in Kenya undergoing kung fu self-defence training. Photo credit: AJ+.

This is a physical security program, but it also fits well into the objectives of the 2002 Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, of ensuring that these vulnerable women are able to age with security, dignity and their full rights, which includes inviolability of their persons.

The United Nations can support these programs, and promote similar initiatives globally.

D.                Migration

Migration means moving from one place to another, with a view of living there.[36] We live in a highly fluid and mobile world today. People are constantly on the move. Migration has therefore accelerated; and changed in character, with people moving in huge, organized groups.[37]

 Over 7000 Central American migrants walk along the highway in Tapachula, Mexico, near the border with Guatemala, on 21 October 2018, as they continue their journey to the US. This caravan has set the US against Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador, with the former threatening to cut aid to the latter, accusing them of failing to stop the migrants’ advance. Photo credit: Reuters.

Millions of people are moving from one place to another, within their states (internal migration), or to other states (international migration). Most of the movement is from rural areas to urban areas i.e. urbanization. The year 2007 ushered in a situation where more people lived in urban areas than rural areas,[38] and this will continue.[39]

On the whole, migration is a positive force that should be encouraged. It improves migrant’s lives,[40] and spurs economic development at places of origin,[41] and destination;[42] although it has its own attendant challenges, like separating loved ones.[43] In Europe, immigration is slated to deter economic collapse, by bringing more capable and energetic people in the workplace.[44]

The cardinal role of the United Nations should be to integrate migration and development issues, for purposes of empowering people, and accelerating economic development. This can be achieved through partnering with member states and other international actors, to promote and encourage migration. The following can be specifically done jointly:

(a)          Combating trafficking

Human trafficking is a big threat, and hindrance to proper, decent, and beneficial migration. It wastes valuable human talent, depletes financial and time resources, and undermines economic growth. Trafficking should be resisted, and fought through all legal and socially acceptable ways. Traffickers should be arrested, prosecuted, and punished, in accordance with the law.

(b)          Preventing irregular migration

The movement of people should be regular, supervised, and legal. Irregular migration concerns are at the heart of the economic rift between the rich countries, and their poor counterparts. The rich countries are perceived and portrayed as not wanting to share some of their wealth with the poor ones. This, in fact, is not accurate, per se. For instance, Europe and America that are struggling to keep away huge numbers of illegal immigrants are not necessarily rejecting them for the sake of keeping them away. Rather, they want immigrants to enter their borders through proper channels, where they are vetted for quality, quantity, and security assurance. And it’s well within their rights and best interests to do so – as it is for everyone else.

(c)           Modernizing and strengthening immigration and customs services

Many countries’ immigration and customs systems are outdated, slow, and inefficient, unable to offer good quality services in clearing immigrants and their possessions. The UN can avail its financial and human resources, and diverse technical expertise, to upgrade these countries’ systems to world class standards, for greater efficiency and effective service delivery.

3.                  Conclusion

Demographic changes pose grave imbalances for the world. Left unchecked, they truly pose grave threats to the existence of humanity, and economic development.

At the heart of the mandate of the United Nations, as stipulated under the UN Charter, lies the implied fundamental mandate of preserving humanity, and prosperity of everyone on earth.

If the UN does everything within its power to fulfill the roles as stipulated in this essay, and more as its leadership deems fit, to cope with world demographic changes, then its stated and implied international mandate will be achieved.

These should be embarked upon urgently, before it’s too late to do anything meaningful and useful. Lest the world population will phase out, and we become extinct. Perhaps slowly, in the most unapparent manner, and unsuspectingly. But surely so – without a shadow of doubt.

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Notes and References

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[1] A. S. Hornby, A. P. Cowie, and A. C. Gimson, Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of Current English (1983),  at 232.

[2] Charter of the United Nations, 1945, Article 1(3) thereof.

[3] Ibid., Article 1(1). To this end, the UN Charter mandates the UN, ‘to take effective collective measures for the prevention and removal of threats to the peace …,’ which threats, I submit, include world demographic changes.

[4] Ryhor Astapenia, ‘Belarusian Demographic Trends: Rapid Ageing and Depopulation’, BelarusDigest (2014). Available at http://belarusdigest.com/story/belarusian-demographic-trends-rapid-ageing-and-depopulation-17533. Accessed on 24 October, 2018, at 18:41 GMT.

[5] Martynas A. Ycas, ‘The Challenge of the 21^st Century: Innovating and Adapting Social Security Systems to Economic, Social, and Demographic Changes in the English-Speaking Americas’, 57 SSB (1994) 4, at 4-6. But Martynas specifically focuses on immigration, not the wider subject of migration.

[6] Uganda Bureau of Statistics, The National Population and Housing Census 2014 – Main Report (2016), at 16.

[7] United Nations Population Fund, ‘World Population Trends’ (2017). Available at http://www.unfpa.org/world-population-trends. (Accessed on 24 October 2018, at 18:44 GMT) This is the world average. But the figure was much higher in developing countries.

[8] Ibid. UNFPA observes that, ‘According to conservative projections, the population of the world’s least developed countries will double by 2050, and in some countries it will even triple.’

[9] The threshold given by Article 1 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989 (came into force on 2 September 1990), which defines a child as ‘… every human being below the age of eighteen years….’

[10] The definition of youth used by the United Nations, for statistical purposes. See, United Nations Youth, ‘Definition of Youth.’ Available at http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/documents/youth/fact-sheets/youth-definition.pdf. Accessed on 24 October 2018, at 18:47 GMT.

[11] United Nations Population Fund, supra note 6.

[12] Ashifa Kassam et all, ‘Europe needs many more babies to avert a population disaster,’ The Guardian (2015). Available at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/23/baby-crisis-europe-brink-depopulation-disaster. Accessed on 24 October, 2018, at 18:49 GMT. This paper learnt that in some provinces in Spain, ‘… for every baby born, more than two people die. And the ratio is moving closer to one to three,’ and notes that ‘Spain has one of the lowest fertility rates in the EU, with an average of 1.27 children born for every woman of childbearing age, compared to the EU average of 1.55. … The result is that, since 2012, Spain’s population has been shrinking.’

[13] United Nations Population Fund, supra, note 7.

[14] Uganda Bureau of Statistics, supra note 6.

[15] United Nations Population Fund, ‘Sexual & reproductive health’ (2016). Available at http://www.unfpa.org/sexual-reproductive-health. Accessed on 24 October 2018, at 18:51 GMT.

[16] Ibid.

[17] Ashifa Kassam, supra note 12.

[18] Ibid.

[19] Ryhor Astapenia, supra note 4.

[20] Office of the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth, ‘Global Youth Unemployment is on the Rise Again’ (2016).

[21] There are other social groupings like workplaces, schools, religious settings, entertainment centers, rehabilitation facilities, informal social support networks like secret societies and gangs (which are usually criminal), and others, but these are secondary, since at the end of the day, everyone goes back to their point of origin i.e. the family.

[22] But, of course, it should be noted that this system also had its own peculiar challenges, flaws and weaknesses. For example, it tended to undermine and vitiate consent of marrying couples, which sometimes resulted into unequal unions, where usually the wife and eventual mother was disadvantaged and weak. This entrenched gender inequality hindered development. On the whole however, the communal system worked well enough, at least in this regard.

[23] Ryhor Astapenia, supra note 4, earmarks marriage and family as one of the causes of Belarus’ poor economic and development performance. He says that ‘Belarus remains a country of broken marriages, as about half of all families split up, and there is no reason to believe that this figure will change in the near future.’ Clearly, this subject demands serious attention.

[24] Martynas A. Ycas, supra, note 5, at 5.

[25] United Nations Population Fund, supra, note 7.

[26] This means women who die in child birth.

[27] This means children who die during, or soon after birth i.e. up to the age of five years.

[28] The World Bank Group, World Development Report 2009 – Reshaping Economic Geography (2010), at 1.

[29] United Nations Population Fund, ‘Ageing’ (2015). Available at http://www.unfpa.org/ageing. Accessed on 24 October 2018, at 18:54 GMT.

[30] Ibid.

[31] Ibid.

[32] Second World Assembly on Ageing, Political Declaration and Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, 2002.

[33] MGLSD, National Policy for Older Persons: Ageing with Security and Dignity (2009).

[34] Richard M. Kavuma, ‘Dignity, not poverty – the cash grants helping Uganda's older generation,’ The Guardian (2016). Available at https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/oct/10/uganda-dignity-not-poverty-the-cash-grants-helping-older-generation. Accessed on 24 October 2018, at 18:58 GMT.

[35] Eleonor Botoman, ‘Meet the Kung-Fu Grandmas Of Kenya Who Are Fighting Back Against Rapists.’ Available at  http://bust.com/feminism/18473-kung-fu-grandmas.html. Accessed on 24 October 2018, at 19:01 GMT.

[36] A. S. Hornby, A. P. Cowioe, and A. C. Gimson, supra note 1, at 543.

[37] Consider for example, the millions of Africans, Arabs, and South Americans, currently flocking to Europe and United States of America, in boats or on foot, in search of better economic opportunities, and living conditions.

[38] United Nations Population Fund, supra, note 7.

[39] See, Ibid., where UNFPA projects that by 2050, 66% of global population will be living in cities.

[40] Jeni Klugman et al, Human Development Report, 2009 – Overcoming barriers: Human mobility and development (2009), at 2, states that, ‘Most migrants, internal and international, reap gains in the form of higher incomes, better access to education and health, and improved prospects for their children.’

[41] Ibid., at 71-82. The most notable reward is in form of financial remittances, which, as the report notes, at page 72, ‘… are vital in improving the livelihoods of millions of people in developing countries. … An important function of remittances is to diversify sources of income and to cushion families against setbacks such as illness or larger shocks caused by economic downturns, political conflicts or climatic vagaries.’

[42] Ibid., at 83-92. The report notes, at page 84, that, ‘Migrants can bring broader economic benefits [like taxes, and job creation], including higher rates of innovation.’

[43] The report notes, Ibid., at 72, that, ‘Despite these financial rewards, separation is typically a painful decision incurring high emotional costs for both the mover and those left behind.’

[44] Ashifa Kassam, supra note 12. It is estimated that Germany, will need an average of 533,000 immigrants every year, to offset shortages in the workplace, which the UN predicts will drop by 7% to just 54% by 2030.