Grade One magistrate’s court in Ibanda has sentenced a 48-year-old man to six years in prison for breaking into a woman’s house and stealing her groundnuts.

Court heard that the suspect identified as Vincent Tumuhereze, 48, committed the crimes on June 27, 2023 at Karindiriro Kashangura when he broke and entered into the house of Mildred Kamasanyu and stole a half basin of shelled groundnuts valued at UGX 100,000.

After a lengthy hearing of the case, court found the suspect who is a resident of Nyamuswiga, Kashangura in Kagongo Division, Ibanda Municipality guilty of the offences.

Tumuhereze was subsequently convicted and sentenced to three years in jail for each of the two counts. The jail terms will run consecutively; one after the other. 

While reading the sentence, her worship Esther Murungi said the convict was not remorseful despite the compelling evidence against him.

Earlier, when the court asked him to say something before his sentence, he prayed for a jail term of nine months.   

However, prosecution led Emmanuel Tian had prayed for 17 years in prison. Tian argued that although the convict was a first-time offender, he had wasted the court’s time through a lengthy hearing. 

Theft contravenes section 254(i) and 261 of the Penal Code Act and the crime carries a maximum sentence of 10 years, when one is convicted.

At least 10 people have been confirmed dead and several others injured in a fatal accident that occurred along the Iganga-Tororo highway at Kibimbi, after the bridge in Bugiri District.

According to a statement issued by the territorial traffic police in Bugiri, the accident involved six motor vehicles which were all moving in the same direction towards Tororo, except for one vehicle, REG No. KAE 254c/ZA 5971, a tanker loaded with molasses, which was traveling in the opposite direction towards Iganga.  

According to the police statement, preliminary information indicates that the Motor vehicle REG No. UAW 963m, a Toyota Hiace, attempted to overtake a queue of vehicles.

The driver noticed an oncoming vehicle while still overtaking and swerved to the left to yield, unaware that the oncoming vehicle was a trailer tanker loaded with molasses and pulling another trailer. The rear part of the trailer collided with the taxi, crushing it against another trailer, KBJ 155c/ZD 2621, a Mercedes Benz. Consequently, the trailer tanker lost control, overturned, and caught fire.

The 10 people, including 8 passengers of the taxi, its driver, and the trailer tanker driver, died on the spot.

The traffic police responded to the scene immediately, and the bodies were transported to Bugiri hospital mortuary for postmortem examination.

Police in Bushenyi are hunting for a motor vehicle driver for knocking a 5-year-old juvenile dead.

Martial Tumusiime, the greater Bushenyi region police spokesperson, confirmed the incident and identified the deceased as Rosomiyo Joseph, 5, a resident of Ryanshana 1, Kashenyi ward, Ishaka division.

Tumusiime noted that Rosomiyo was knocked dead by a speeding motor vehicle Premio white in colour REG No. UBD 055J on Saturday evening at Kashenyi ward, Ishaka division, Bushenyi-Ishaka municipality. 

It’s alleged that the errant driver was from Ishaka heading to Kitagata driving at high speed when he carelessly knocked a male Juvenile who was walking along the road at Kashenyi along Ishaka-Kagamba road. 

The police led by IP Baguma, the Officer in charge of traffic at Ishaka visited the scene and drew a rough sketch map plan to help them in investigations.

The motor vehicle was towed and taken to Ishaka police station pending IOV inspection, while the body of the deceased was taken to Ishaka Adventist Hospital for postmortem examination.

Following numerous attacks on residents by machete wielders, residents have decried extortion of money by police to review the CCTV footage.

The residents say, even when the attacks happen near the CCTV cameras, when they go to the police to seek help, they are instead asked for money.

Reuben Ainomugisha, alias Lauben Rutegwa, a Kabale-based local radio station news editor, one of the victims, said he was attacked by machete wielders along Nyerere Avenue near Kabale Secondary School in the wee hours of Thursday, 29th February 2023, while he was on duty.

He was robbed of his belongings, such as phones and money equivalent to UGX 170,000.

However, when he went to the police in the morning to review the CCTV camera footage, he was asked to first pay UGX 400,000.

Byamugisha Robert Kakuru, the executive director of Kick Corruption out of Uganda, a non-governmental organization that fights corruption, confirmed that extortion in the police force is real yet the service should be free.

He added that the police also don’t have personnel to operate the cameras, and some cameras are no longer working, which has increased criminality.

Elly Maate, the Kigezi police spokesperson, condemned police personnel who ask for money from victims and asked the public to always report whoever asks for money to view CCTV cameras.

Maate asked victims to always follow the right procedures by first reporting their cases to the police.

Residents of Bisya cell in Rwemikoma sub-county in Kazo district have been advised to stop dividing their land into small pieces.

This message was delivered by Naboth Nandeeba, a development champion in Kazo district, while speaking at a meeting with Bisya Kwetungura group which was held at Bisya trading center with the aim of improving sources of income for their families.

Nandeeba noted that division of lands reduces income in the  communities since most high-income generating projects like farming, cattle keeping require more land.

Sarah Baguma, the Lady councilor representing Rwemikoma at the sub-county encouraged the residents of Bisya to work together so that they can avoid conflicts in their families.

Nassani Mungizi, a chairperson of Bisya Kwetungura group said they started the group to save and invest, support one another socially among other reasons.

Byamukama Ephraim, one of the members of Bisya Kwetungura group said that this group helps them so much economically when they are meeting their basic needs and socially during events.

Communities around river banks in Mbarara city, have been urged to stop degrading the environment, to ensure there is supply of clean and safe water in their areas.

These remarks were made by Enock Mwanjje, the Manager South western Uganda, during a press conference held today at the Ministry of water and environment Headquarters in Mbarara city.

The press conference aimed at alerting people about Uganda water and environment week which is being celebrated from 3rd to 6th March 2024 under the Theme; “Rethinking collective action and innovation solutions to Water, Environment, and climate change Crisis in Uganda“.

One of the partners of Ministry of water and Environment Sarah Loyce Tusingwire from Excel hot consult has appreciated the water ministry for engaging the community about its activities.

Tusingwire also pledged to continue sensitizing the masses about the dangers of degrading the environment and benefits of planting trees in their areas in order to conserve the environment.

The Uganda Water and Environment Week (UWEWK) is a weeklong event that is organized annually by Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE), spearheaded by Water Resources Institute (WRI).

It was initiated in 2018, to contribute towards the attainment of Sustainable Socio-economic Transformation in collaboration with various partners and stakeholders for knowledge exchange and improvement of Uganda’s water and environment resources

Sheema District Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) task force has partially lifted the quarantine few weeks after it was instituted to contain the spread of the disease.

The commissioner of Animal health Dr. Ana Rose Adenum, on 7th February, imposed a total quarantine on both livestock and livestock products in Sheema district following the outbreak of FMD.

The authorities in the district have since been implementing control measures including the ban on the movement and sale of livestock and their products like meat.

According to the statistics from the district veterinary department 569 cattle have cured from FMD, 14 have been confirmed dead, while 24 are still under treatment.

During the meeting held on Monday, 4th march, at the district council hall that was attended by all LC III Chairpersons, sub-county and town council veterinary officers, Dr. Amanya Joseph, the Sheema District veterinary officer, noted that they have not fully lifted the quarantine and the areas that still have cases are not allowed to do any livestock business.

These include; Rugarama, Masheruka, Kiziba ward, Karera South and North as well as Rushozi ward.

Sam orikunda, the deputy resident district Commissioner Sheema, said that since the outbreak of FMD, they have tried to prevent it from spreading and have not registered any new cases apart from those that had been affected before the ban was imposed. 

Jemimah Buhanda, the Sheema District chairperson, said they have directed the enforcement team in areas that are still affected to improve surveillance and those that have been allowed to open to stick to the guidelines.

According to Centre for Disease Control, Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is an infectious and sometimes fatal viral disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals where an infected animal presents with fever, a drop in milk production a blisters on the mouth and feet, fever and loss of appetite.

Residents of Engari sub-county in Kazo district are overjoyed after they received a tricycle ambulance for Engari Health Centre III.

The tricycle ambulance which was donated by Kajjansi Rotary club International was delivered by a team led by Peace Taremwa Sadori, the former Governor Rotary Uganda and Tanzania.

Peace Taremwa revealed that the funds which were used to purchase the ambulance were basically contributed by him and the Rotary Club members.

He added that they are dedicating this year to mothers where they saw that there is need for an ambulance and medical camp which was also constituted and it gave free treatment to over 500 patients at Engari health centre III.

Gumizamu Amos, the LC III Chairperson Engari sub-county, other leaders and the residents appreciated Peace Taremwa and Kajjansi Rotarians for the support noting that this will be fundamental in solving the transport challenge at the new health centre.

Rev Samuel Mugisha Katugunda, the district chairperson appreciated the work of Peace Taremwa and Rotary at large acknowledging that they have made a lot of contribution towards the development of Kazo district and requested the ministry of health commissioner to work on sub-counties without health centre IIIs.

Dan Atwijukire Kimosho, the Member of Parliament Kazo constituency appreciated Rotary for their contribution saying that they are very happy to see that their sweat of bringing the health centre is bearing the fruit.

Dr Richard Mugahi, the Ministry of Health commissioner in charge of reproduction and infant care who was the chief guest, promised that the ministry will equip Engari health centre III and find ways to solve other district health needs.

The Bishop of North Ankole diocese, Rt Rev Steven Namanya has encouraged Christians to draw closer to God and to support their nearest schools noting that North Ankole has prioritized improving education.

Bishop Namanya made the remarks during the launch of St Emmanuel Akegyeya Church of Uganda in Akegyeya parish, Kyampagara sub-county, Kazo district, as the 77^th parish of the Diocese.

Bishop of North Ankole diocese, Rt Rev Steven Namanya during his pastoral visit to his home Parish (Akengyeya).

Hon Ham Rubainika, the district councilor representing Kyampagara sub-county appreciated the Bishop for giving this parish to the people of Akegyeya, nothing that that this will improve employment opportunities in the area.

The young Christians who were confirmed into the Anglican faith

He also praised Bishop Namanya for his contribution towards the development of Kyampagara by lobbying masts for improved telecommunication networks among others.

Orone Francis Odek, the first parish priest of this church, requested the Christians to cooperate and uplift the parish to another level and more especially expanding the lord’s kingdom.

Byabajungu James, the head of laity of this church revealed that they are satisfied with the decision of getting their own parish.

During a pastoral visit to his parish church (Akengyeya), the Bishop also confirmed 66 individuals into the Anglican faith.

The Inspector General of Government (IGG) Betty Namisango Kamya has implored the community members to be at the forefront of fighting corruption and promoting the lifestyle audit.

Betty Kamya made the call while speaking to Bushenyi socialist group Make Bushenyi Great Again (MBUGA), at Community Baraza held at Premiere hotel in Ishaka on Wednesday.

Kamya hailed the work done by MBUGA members in fighting against corruption by holding their leaders accountable through their militaristic methods to ensure there is good service delivery.

Kamya implored them to include the mindset change of the population about the corrupt officials saying officials steal money and build Mansions which are beyond their salary but people applaud them because they support them socially.

IGG Betty Kamya addressing Bushenyi district Officials in a meeting that was held at the District Headquarters.

Kamya noted that unfortunately some of the corrupt people who steal such public funds that would have equipped hospitals with drugs to save lives of Ugandans are the same people who go behind to buy their relatives coffins to bury them after they have died due to lack of treatment/drugs.

Kamya further added that the top officials don’t involve themselves directly into money exchange, they use lower cadres or contractors who sign the documents of transaction and end up in trap after producing poor quality work because the biggest percentage had already been offered to their bosses at different ministries.

In another meeting held at Bushenyi District headquarters, the officials lodged complaints that they get penalized and get less releases from Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development yet it does not give them ample time between communicating the Investment Project Financing (IPF) and submission of the Budget Framework Paper (BFP).

Kamya is currently traversing the region sensitizing people to cooperate and embrace the lifestyle Audit if they are to attain zero corruption.