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Police in Kazo district have arrested Naboth Mugabe alias Young, one of the prime suspects in the murder of Rev. Mishach Kahembera who was a resident of Meru Meru Village, Kataraza Parish in Nkungu Sub County. Mugabe has been in hiding following the incident that claimed his father’s life on February 5.
Mugabe was nabbed by Crime Intelligence Police while in Katete, Mbarara City where he and his brother Amos Nuwabiine, another prime suspect in the murder of their father Kahembera have been renting. Nuwabiine is still at large after escaping before arrest this afternoon.
The Rwizi Police Region Spokesperson, Samson Kasasira confirmed the arrest and further revealed that investigations into this matter are ongoing.
Kahembera, 64, was a dedicated servant of the church, overseeing the United Pentecostal Churches activities in Kazo district and other parts of the country. He had been grappling with severe domestic issues particularly following the tragic death of his wife, Rosset Tushabe in June last year.
This incident resulted into the arrest of Mary Busingye, her son Arthur Agaba together with the two prime suspects in the murder of Kahembera.
The chairperson of Kazo Model Primary School Old Students Association, Dr. Byamukama Denis, has recognized and awarded 68 outstanding pupils in the 2024 Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) with mattresses. He revealed that the initiative aims to celebrate students’ hard work and exceptional performance.
Dr. Byamukama emphasized the importance of appreciating academic achievements and urged the staff,parents and pupils to work as a team to continue fostering an environment of excellence. “This recognition is a sign of appreciation for our brilliant pupils and I encourage the school to maintain these high standards,” he stated.
Murarira Sam Kanduho, the head teacher of the School commended the old students association for their unwavering support in promoting the school’s achievements. He expressed pride in the school’s accomplishments and the collective efforts to uphold its reputation.
Tumwesigye Johnbosco, the senior inspector of schools in Kazo district lauded Kazo Model Primary School for setting a great example for others in the area. He thanked both the teachers and the old students for their commitment to fostering academic excellence.
Parents and students alike expressed their gratitude to Dr. Byamukama for his tireless dedication to giving back to the community. The school proudly reported that all 68 awarded pupils achieved first-grade status in the 2024 PLE, a testament to their hard work and the supportive environment cultivated by the school.
The Chairperson for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Ntungamo district, Amiidu Rukundo, has called on PWDs and the elderly to take a leading role in fighting poverty to improve their livelihoods and achieve self-sufficiency.
Rukundo made the appeal during the handover of special grants at the Ntungamo District headquarters. The grants which total to UGX 72 million were allocated to 17 groups of PWDs and elderly individuals to support their small business ventures and family sustenance.
According to Rukundo, the grants provide a critical lifeline to many vulnerable individuals enabling them to start income-generating activities and improve their living standards.
A total of five groups of elderly persons received UGX 20 million under the Special Enterprise Grant for Older Persons (SEGOP). Additionally, 12 groups of PWDs were allocated UGX 52 million under the National Special Grant scheme.
Notable government officials and councillors lauded the government’s commitment to prioritizing the needs of PWDs and the elderly. Patrick Rwakabale, the Male District Councillor for Persons with Disabilities commended the district Chairperson, Samuel Mucunguzi Rwakigooba for his leadership in promoting the welfare of PWDs.
Other officials, including Deborah Kobusingye, the female councillor for PWDs in Ntungamo and Ambrose Tusiime the Ntungamo District Community Development Officer echoed the importance of initiatives aimed at addressing the financial needs of PWDs and the elderly.
The government’s financial support is part of broader efforts to promote social inclusion, economic empowerment and a self-reliant and resilient society. Shallon Birungi, the Principal Assistant Secretary representing the Chief Administrative Officer emphasized the need for individuals to embrace change in their own lives for meaningful community transformation to occur.
South Sudan’s President, Salva Kiir has dismissed two of his vice-presidents, the country’s spy chief and several other senior officials. The dismissals were announced through a series of presidential decrees broadcast on state television with no reasons given for the sudden changes.
The affected vice-presidents are James Wani Igga, a veteran politician and general who has held the position since 2013 and Hussein Abdelbagi Akol from the opposition alliance SSOA. Akol has been reassigned as the minister for agriculture replacing Josephine Joseph Lagu, who will now take over as vice-president.
Benjamin Bol Mel, a special presidential envoy and former subject of US sanctions for alleged corruption has been appointed to replace Igga as vice-president. Mel’s appointment has sparked speculation that he may be positioned as a potential successor to Kiir.
The president has also sacked the country’s spy chief, Akec Tong Aleu who had only been in office since October. The position remains vacant with no replacement announced.
The dismissals come as South Sudan struggles to implement the 2018 peace agreement which has been fraught with challenges. The agreement established a power-sharing government with five vice-presidents, including Kiir’s longtime rival, Riek Machar.
The changes have raised questions about the stability of the government and the potential implications for the country’s fragile peace process. The SPLM-In Opposition, led by Machar has not commented on the matter leaving uncertainty about the future of the coalition government.
South Sudan has not held elections since gaining independence in 2011 with the most recent polls postponed multiple times. The country’s leadership has announced that elections will now take place in December 2026 but the delay has raised concerns about the government’s commitment to democratic principles.
Veteran opposition politician, Kizza Besigye, 68, has started a hunger strike in protest of his prolonged detention awaiting trial. He was charged with possession of pistols and attempting to purchase weapons abroad which he denies.
The People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), a movement founded by Besigye, believes he is protesting his prolonged confinement and that he should be released. Besigye’s trial has been delayed and it remains unclear when it will begin. Amidst these circumstances, Besigye has also allegedly refused to speak to his lawyers while in detention.
Initially set for January, the trial has been postponed multiple times. This marks the latest incident in a long history of run-ins with the law for Besigye, who was a personal doctor to President Yoweri Museveni before becoming an opposition leader.
The veteran politician has been detained for nearly three months sparking widespread condemnation and fears of political persecution.
In a landmark ruling last month, Uganda’s Supreme Court declared it unconstitutional for military courts to try civilians, ordering the transfer of all such cases to civilian courts. This move has been met with resistance from President Museveni who vowed to challenge the ruling.
Besigye has been involved in numerous high-profile cases including charges of treason and rape which were later dropped. He has accused Museveni’s administration of targeting him for his opposition views.
The Ugandan government has defended the use of military courts citing the need for swift justice to maintain stability. However, opposition parties have long complained about restrictions on their activities alleging that Museveni fears democratic competition.
Residents of Mashonga in Kyamuhunga subcounty Bushenyi district are living in fear due to a surge in theft including livestock and crops. Nuwe Sula Katura, the area LC3 councillor, reported that theft of goats and bananas occur daily despite ongoing village night patrols.
Katura urged residents to remain vigilant and keep guard over their animals expressing concern that this issue discourages local involvement in poverty alleviation efforts. He suggested that one factor contributing to the theft is the police practice of granting bond to criminals shortly after their arrest.
In response, William Katsigazi, Deputy Resident District Commissioner for Bushenyi confirmed that his office receives approximately five complaints per day from residents seeking security meetings on the escalating theft issue. He called for the restoration of village night patrols by local councils to help curb and apprehend criminals before the situation worsens.
Sam Nujoma, the first president of independent Namibia has passed away at the age of 95 in Windhoek. This has been confirmed by the country’s current leader, President Nangolo Mbumba. Nujoma, a pivotal figure in Namibia’s struggle for independence from South African rule, died after spending three weeks hospitalized with an illness.
President Mbumba announced Nujoma’s death with “utmost sorrow and sadness” and praised him as a revolutionary leader who inspired Namibians to reclaim their land. “Our founding father lived a long and consequential life during which he exceptionally served the people of his beloved country,” he stated.
Nujoma played a crucial role in founding the South West Peoples’ Organisation (SWAPO) in the 1960s, which became a central force in Namibia’s liberation movement. He led the nation to independence in 1990 and served as president until 2005 before stepping down as president of the ruling SWAPO party in 2007 after 47 years of leadership.
Tributes have poured in from Namibians who remembered Nujoma fondly as the “father of the nation.” A visibly emotional President Mbumba visited Nujoma’s home to offer condolences to his family including his wife, Kovambo Theopoldine Katjimune who is 91 years old.
Under Nujoma’s guidance, Namibia achieved peace and stability post-independence. His national reconciliation policy played a significant role in encouraging the white community to stay in the country ensuring they remained integral to the economy. He was also a staunch advocate for women’s and children’s rights.
Vice-President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, set to be inaugurated as president in March, lauded Nujoma’s “visionary leadership and dedication to liberation and nation-building” as foundational for Namibia’s current unity and freedom.
Condolences have also come from across Africa, with African Union Commission chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat recognizing Nujoma as “the epitome of courage.” South African President Cyril Ramaphosa hailed Nujoma as an “extraordinary freedom fighter” who not only advanced Namibia’s fight against colonialism but also contributed significantly to the struggle for democracy in South Africa.
Kenya’s President William Ruto described Nujoma as a “visionary leader” committed to the liberation and development of his nation.
Funeral arrangements are yet to be announced as Namibia mourns the loss of its founding leader and national icon.
Over 150 female prisoners in Democratic Republic of Congo’s eastern city of Goma were raped and burned to death during a jailbreak last week. This shocking revelation was confirmed by a spokesperson of the United Nations Human Rights Office, Seif Magango, in an interview with journalist.
According to reports, 165 female inmates were sexually assaulted by escaping male prisoners most tragically losing their lives in a fire set during the chaos of the escape. Magango noted that only between nine and 13 women managed to survive the blaze but all had also been victims of rape.
While the UN has not independently verified these details, Magango stated that the account provided by a judicial source in the DRC is considered credible. The mass escape occurred on January 27, coinciding with intense fighting between the M23 rebel alliance and Congolese government forces over control of Goma. More than 4,000 detainees reportedly fled the Muzenze prison during the incident which has left the facility “completely empty” and in ruins.
DRC communications minister, Patrick Muyaya condemned the horrific acts of violence against the female inmates, calling the situation a “barbaric crime.” He emphasized that the government denounces such acts with the utmost severity.
This tragedy is part of a broader pattern of conflict-related sexual violence that has plagued the DRC for decades. The UN’s Human Rights Office has recently reported other incidents of sexual violence, including allegations that Congolese troops raped 52 women in South Kivu, with some cases involving gang rape.
The international community is calling for urgent action in response to this latest wave of violence. Meanwhile, the M23 rebel group claiming to have captured Goma, has called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire following clashes that have reportedly left nearly 3,000 people dead.
As the DRC faces ongoing turmoil, the need for a comprehensive strategy to address sexual violence and ensure the protection of vulnerable populations remains paramount.
The Bushenyi Ishaka municipality mayor, Richard Byaruhanga has taken a bold step to address the issue of schools in the area consistently failing to score grade ones in national exams. During the official release of the 2024 PLE results at Tuzza Hotel in Bushenyi town, Byaruhanga directed the education department to institute a committee to investigate these poorly performing schools.
According to Byaruhanga, there are seven schools that have consistently failed to score grade ones in the annual national exams. The mayor believes that establishing the reasons behind this trend is crucial in addressing the issue at its root. Byaruhanga emphasized the need for leaders to take a closer look into the matter and find solutions to ensure that all schools in the area are given an equal chance to excel.
Meanwhile, Silverio Byarufu Mukobi, the town clerk of Bushenyi Ishaka municipality, attributed the outstanding performance of the schools in the area to supportive parents and foundation bodies. He urged parents to prioritize providing lunch for their children at school citing that it was a crucial factor in achieving remarkable success.
Dan Mugyenyi, the education officer of Bushenyi Ishaka municipality, announced that the area led the country with a remarkable 99.3% success rate. The municipality had 814 candidates who scored Division I, 662 in Division II, 54 in Division III, and 21 in Division IV out of a total of 1561 candidates.
The three top-performing schools in the area, Kyeitembe primary, Ishaka Junior and Parental Care Primary School were awarded certificates for their outstanding performance.
Nearly 3,000 people have been killed in the eastern city of Goma after a violent takeover by rebel forces, revealed the United Nations. The city has been engulfed in fierce fighting between the Congolese army and the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), a rebel coalition that includes the M23 armed group.
Vivian van de Perre, the deputy head of the UN mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo reported that “so far, 2,000 bodies have been collected from the streets of Goma with an additional 900 remaining in local hospitals’ mortuaries.” She emphasized the need for urgent action noting, “There are still many decomposing bodies in certain areas,” and warned that the death toll may continue to rise.
In the wake of the humanitarian crisis, the AFC announced a ceasefire on seeking to address the conflict’s toll on civilians, which they attributed to the Congolese government—referred to by the rebels as the “Kinshasa regime.” However, the government dismissed this ceasefire declaration as a “false communication,” and reports of intense fighting persist particularly in the neighboring South Kivu province.
The Democratic Republic of Congo, home to more than 100 million people has been plagued by violence for decades rooted in ethnic tensions and battles over valuable land and mineral resources. This turmoil has contributed to one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises.
Both Congo and the United States have accused Rwanda of providing support to the M23, which primarily consists of ethnic Tutsis who have been at odds with the Congolese government for over a decade. Rwanda’s government denies these allegations but admits to deploying troops and missile systems in eastern Congo citing national security concerns. President Paul Kagame told journalists on Monday that he was uncertain about the presence of Rwandan forces in Congo but maintained that his country would do what is necessary to protect itself.
Since its revival in 2022, the M23 has reinvigorated its rebellion against the Congolese government seizing significant territory in North Kivu which borders both Rwanda and Uganda. The region is rich in rare minerals like coltan, essential for manufacturing electronics such as smartphones and computers.
As the conflict continues, the international community watches closely, hoping for a resolution that can bring stability and peace to the war-torn region.
