Uganda’s health system is known for being corrupt; lacking basic supplies such as certain vaccines and medications. A group of BBC journalist were recently arrested for possessing illegal prescription drugs by Ugandan police. This has been a controversial arrest, with one Ugandan spokesman stating the team was only trying to help expose the corruption and demanding that the team be released. Police confiscated 14 boxes of tables and a number of vaccines in the team’s possession. The team of journalist were supposedly in contact with the State House Health Monitoring Unit in an effort to investigate the sale of Ugandan drugs in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Ugandan government officials can agree that the lack of supplies and corrupt healthcare system is an ongoing struggle for the country. In Tanzania albino people are being hunted for their valued body parts which can sell for high prices. Between 2000 and 2005 nearly 75 individuals were killed and this only accounts for a fraction of the individuals involved in other rituals occuring in rural areas. With more than 520 attacks being recorded since 2005 in 28 different countries, Tanzania holds the most with more than 170. Individuals are seeking help in the United States after losing limbs and other features. A group of three have recently visited for their third time after losing limbs in machete attacks due to a superstition that states people with albinism are ghostly cures who bring bad luck. This disease is more common in sub- saharan Africa and currently affects 20,000 people worldwide. Conditions in Tanzania are getting better due to a beauty pageant that has been part of an effort to build a positive connotation around albinism. Albinos are now being offered jobs they would previously never have the opportunity for and ride in taxis with others. Although this is a small step it’s a step in the right direction.
