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The Oil Industry in Uganda; A Blessing in Disguise or an all Too Familiar Curse? : The 2012 Claude Ake Memorial Lecture

Upphovsperson: Mbabazi, Pamela K.
Utgivare: Nordiska Afrikainstitutet |
År: 2013
Ämnesord: Uganda, Petroleum industry, natural resources, Economic growth, Government policy, Development strategy
As Uganda comes closer to full scale commercial production of its recently discovered oil resources, the state has much work to protect its economy from possible negative effects. Although much of the literature regarding oil globally, as well as in Uganda, paints a rather pessimistic picture, Dr. Pamela Mbabazi provides a set of alternatives, looking at oil as an opportunity rather than a curse. While oil is still in its infancy, many in Uganda have already predicted how it will play out over the next 50 years. While some are quick to point out the flaws and potential problem areas, Dr. Mbabazi suggests a more balanced approach, recognizing both the issue areas as well as the opportunities presented. Uganda has just celebrated its 50th anniversary as an independent nation. What is certain is that over the next five decades, oil will play a significant role in Uganda´s development. Thus, she argues that by heeding the suggestions made in this contribution, the government and key decision makers can help set Uganda on the right path to becoming Africa’s first oil success story. Dr. Pamela Mbabazi held the Claude Ake Memorial Chair in 2012-2013, working with the Department of Peace and Conflict Research, Uppsala University and the Nordic Africa Institute. She is Associate Professor of Development Studies, Mbarara University of Science & Technology, Uganda.

Horus' Eye and Osiris' Efflux : The Egyptian Civilisation of Inundation ca. 3000-2000 BCE.

Upphovsperson: Oestigaard, Terje
Utgivare: Nordiska Afrikainstitutet, Agrarian Change, Property and Resources | Oxford
År: 2011
Ämnesord:
Death and the life-giving waters of the Nile were intimately interwoven in ancient Egyptian religion. The principal objective of this study is to develop a synthetic perspective for enhancing the understanding of the religious roles water had in the rise and constitution of the Egyptian civilisation during the Early Dynastic Period and the Old Kingdom. The author employs an archaeological, inter-disciplinary and comparative ‘water perspective’ in which water not only forms the analytical framework, but also provides empirical data that allow for new questions to be addressed. Thus, the Nile itself is used as the primary point of departure to analyse how, why and when religious changes took place, with a particular emphasis on the development of the Osiris cult. Use is made of contemporary written sources, in particular the Pyramid Texts, but also other mortuary texts as well as flood records. The evolution of the Osiris cult is then analysed in relation to the development of the mortuary monuments; the mastabas in the First and the Second Dynasties and the emergence of the pyramids from the Third Dynasty. Hence, by comparing the different funerary monuments and practices with the emergence of the Osiris cult in relation to climatic changes and fluctuations in the Nile’s yearly inundation, Ancient Egyptian religion and the rise of the civilisation is analyzed according to a water perspective. It is noted that the Blue Nile was not blue, but red-brownish during the flood. When the flood started, the White Nile was not white, but green. The author argues that these fundamental characteristics of the Nile water formed the basis for the Osiris mythology. The red floodwaters in particular represented the blood of the slain Osiris.

Ebola exhausts health systems : more resources are needed

Upphovsperson: Benton, Adia
Utgivare: Nordiska Afrikainstitutet, Conflict, Displacement and Transformation | Nordiska Afrikainstitutet
År: 2014
Ämnesord: Health and medical services in society, Hälso- och sjukvård i samhället
Epidemics and institutional responses to them reveal the strengths and weaknesses of health systems. They also often engender and reflect existing political, economic and social tensions whenever and wherever they occur. This policy note outlines some of acute and chronic political and social conditions that have facilitated transmission and continue to pose a challenge for community and government responses to Ebola. It also highlights the significance of building health systems to avert and address future health crises.

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