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People of Ntuura, Nsiika and Bwengure parishes in Kagongi Subcounty Mbarara district have been rendered homeless. This follows a devastating hailstorm that wreaked havoc in Kagongi Sub County leaving behind a trail of destruction.
Over 362 households have been rendered homeless, critical infrastructure and gardens have been severely damaged.
The affected structures include Bwengure Health Center II where a portion of the building was struck by a falling tree, Ntuura Parish headquarters, Ntuura Christian School, and Nsiika Christian Union Vision Primary School.
The extent of the damage was assessed during a monitoring and inspection program led by Member of Parliament for Kashari North, Basil Bataringaya Rwankwene. The program was initiated in response to urgent pleas from the affected communities.
During his visit, Hon. Bataringaya assured the affected families and institutions that a comprehensive report compiled by village and sub-county leaders will be promptly delivered to the Office of the Prime Minister for urgent action.
Hon. Bataringaya emphasized the immediate needs of the affected population, including food relief, quick-maturing bean and maize seeds for planting. He also requested the Office of the Prime Minister to provide building materials such as cement and iron sheets along with essential beddings like blankets and bed sheets to assist families whose homes were destroyed.
The LCIII Chairperson for Kagongi Sub County, Evarist Twine, highlighted the need for government support for private schools specifically Ntuura Christian School and Nsiika Christian Union Vision Primary School to supplement their efforts in educating Ugandan children.
The Chairperson of LCIII Ntuura Parish, Gumisiriza Kamiiri, expressed gratitude for the swift response from Hon. Bataringaya who offered comfort and advised residents planning to construct houses to consult with qualified technical professionals. The community hopes for a swift and effective response from the government to address the widespread devastation caused by the hailstorm.
Pope Francis’ treatment for a respiratory tract infection has been altered due to a “complex clinical situation,” the Vatican announced Monday. The 88-year-old pontiff, admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Friday will remain hospitalized for as long as necessary.
The Vatican confirmed that tests have revealed a “polymicrobial infection” of the respiratory tract prompting the change in therapy. “All tests conducted up to today are indicative of a complex clinical picture that will require an appropriate hospital stay,” the statement read.
While the specific nature of the infection (bacterial or viral) was not disclosed, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni reported that the Pope is “in good spirits.”
The Pope has been experiencing symptoms for over a week and has been ordered complete rest. Consequently, he was unable to deliver his regular weekly prayer on Sunday or lead a special mass for artists. The Vatican had previously described his condition as “stable” on Sunday.
Despite his hospitalization, the Pope has continued his recent practice of making phone calls. Sources say that he spoke with members of a Catholic parish in Gaza on both Friday and Saturday, sounding “a bit tired” but remaining in “good spirits.”
As a result of his illness, the Pope’s planned visit to Rome’s Cinecitta film studios, scheduled for Monday, has been cancelled.
On Sunday, the Pope expressed his gratitude for the support he has received, writing on X, “Thank you for the affection, prayer and closeness with which you accompany me in these days.”
Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality authorities have launched an investigation into the increasing number of school-aged children engaging in street hawking. Deputy Mayor Milton Betunguura has expressed concern over the situation noting that children aged 8-12 years particularly boys are collecting scraps and hawking food items, which violates the child labor act.
Speaking to reporters, Betunguura highlighted the need to understand why these children are not in school, despite government programs like Universal Primary Education designed to support vulnerable families’ access to education. He expressed disappointment that children in the education-focused municipality are on the streets performing domestic-related work.
Betunguura urged parents especially those whose children are not enrolled in school, to ensure their children’s return to the classroom warning of potential arrests for child negligence.
Ibanda District coffee farmers are celebrating record prices this week with both Arabica and Robusta beans fetching unprecedented rates. Arabica coffee is currently trading at sh18,500 per kilogramme up from sh14,500 just three weeks ago. Robusta coffee prices have also increased reaching sh15,000 per kilo.
Deogratias Tihwayo of Nyakatookye Coffee Farmers Cooperative attributes the surge to high-quality beans and strong demand. He anticipates further price increases in the coming weeks.
Global supply uncertainties, stemming from challenging weather conditions in major coffee-producing countries like Brazil, Vietnam, and Colombia, are contributing to the favorable market conditions for Ibanda farmers.
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.
