Christians have been encouraged to let go of evil practices and receive the new year as renewed and Godly people. The call was made by Rev.Fr.Dr. Godwin Muhangi while celebrating Holy Mass at St. Charles Lwanga Kihani Catholic Parish in Ibanda district.

Muhangi emphasized the importance of embracing love, humanity and other virtuous practices as they prepare for 2025.

He furtherasked the congregation to strive for a life reflective of their faith, focusing on positive contributions to themselves and the community.

Herbert Tweshengyereze, the Chairperson of the parish council, urged parishioners to always attend church services in large numbers as demonstrated during the Christmas celebrations.

Tweshengyereze invited the entire Kihani parish community to participate in the upcoming parish day, which aims to raise funds for the completion of the parish perimeter fence.

Police in Mitooma District are investigating circumstances surrounding the drowning of a three-year-old boy in Nyakitoko Village, Mahwizi, Mutara Sub County.

Martial Tumusiime, the Greater Bushenyi police spokesperson confirmed the incident and identified the deceased as the son of Anitah Nuwasasira, a resident of Nyakabale Village, Mahwizi Parish, Mutara Sub County.

According to reports, Nuwasasira secured a job in Kampala and left her son in the care of a woman only named Natukunda. On Sunday December 22 at around 11:30 am, Nuwasasira left her son in the home with others. However, upon her return at 4:00 PM, she discovered he was missing. On searching for him without success, she reported to the local chairperson.

Tumusiime stated that the following day, the boy’s body was found on the bank of the Katizi water stream. The body was retrieved and taken to Kitagata Hospital, where a postmortem examination was conducted.

Police in Ibanda district have launched an investigation into circumstances surrounding the death of Mwalimu Emmanuel Turyahebwa, a teacher at Oxford Secondary School.

 Turyahebwa, whose body was found hanging in the school premises of Oxford Secondary school Ibanda on Tuesday December 24 is suspected to have committed suicide.

It is alleged that the cause of his suicide is associated to delay of salaries by the school administration ahead of the festive season. 

The deceased has been a resident of Mugarama 2 cell Katembe parish -Rukiri subcounty- lbanda district.

The body of the deceased was delivered to Ruhoko Health IV for postmortem as investigations into the matter continue.

The Resident Commissioner of Bushenyi district, Emmy Ngabirano has urged Christians to remain vigilant and responsible during the Christmas celebrations. He emphasized the importance of celebrating within one’s financial means and being aware of personal safety and security.

In his Christmas message delivered today while in Mashonga parish, Kyamuhunga subcounty, Ngabirano highlighted that security is a collective responsibility, encouraging residents to keep a close eye on their domestic animals and properties during the festive season.

Nuwe Sula, the councilor representing Mashonga Parish in Kyamuhunga Subcounty, echoed Ngabirano’s sentiments urging Christians not to leave their homes unattended. He cautioned that criminals often take advantage of the holiday gatherings to target people’s properties.

The Bishop of West Ankole Diocese, Rt. Rev. Johnson Twinomujuni, has urged clergy to foster a culture of support for existing church projects rather than abandoning them. During a commissioning ceremony for the refurbished bishop’s office at Bweranyangi Hill. The prelate emphasized the importance of sustaining projects for future generations.

Eng. Dr. Silver Mugisha, the Managing Director of the National Water and Sewerage Corporation, commended the bishop for promoting a message of love that unites the community and encourages collective action. He observed that in West Ankole, the focus is on serving the people of God, transcending religious affiliations.

Willis Bashasha, the head of laity for the West Ankole Diocese reported that the diocese has successfully achieved 75% of its project targets. He credited these accomplishments to visionary leadership and teamwork among Christians.

Bashasha also announced plans to advance work at Katungu Mission Hospital noting that they have completed the administration blocks.

Police in Kazo have arrested two men suspected of being involved in a series of criminal activities.The duo has been terrorizing the community overtime.

The suspects have been identified as Budget Nuwamanya and his father, Stuart Amanya both residents of Kanoni Sub-County, Kazo District.

According to Kazo District Police Commander, SP Joseph Nsabimana, the arrests were made during a security operation conducted in the wee hours of Saturday December 21. He stated that the police were tipped off about a gang called GAZA, allegedly led by Nuwamanya which operates in Kanoni and parts of Ibanda District.

Nsabimana reported that some members of the gang have already been apprehended and police have been actively searching for their leader, Nuwamanya. During the operation, law enforcement officials recovered various exhibits including tools believed to be used for breaking into homes, suspected military attire and illegal drugs such as marijuana and cocaine along with a GAZA stamp.

Nsabimana urged the general public to cooperate with security teams by providing information related to insecurity in their areas.

The suspects are currently being held at the Kazo Central Police Station.

Magyezi Henry Bihamu, the Vice Chairman of the sub-county, was present at the scene but declined to comment on the situation.

Meanwhile, residents who spoke with our reporter on the condition of anonymity expressed their concerns about the arrested individuals. They alleged that the suspects were involved in violent thefts, even during daylight hours.

Some community members voiced their fears, suggesting that the suspects come from what they described as a powerful family, with claims that certain relatives hold positions at the State House. This has led to skepticism among residents regarding whether the culprits will actually face charges.

The government of Uganda with funding from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has initiated alternative livelihood projects for former wetland encroachers in Sheema District to help mitigate the dangers associated with climate change.

At least 200 families from sub-counties including Kigarama, Kakindo Town, Masheruka Town Council, Shuuku Town Council, Kyangyenyi and Kitagata were evicted from wetlands in the district. In return for vacating these areas, they were promised alternative livelihoods.

On Thursday, December 19, 2024, Dr. Masembe Kamadini, the program’s focal person in the Ministry of Local Government distributed livestock to the families which included 10 heifers, 150 piglets and 1,280 chicks.

During the handover ceremony, Sheema District Resident District Commissioner, Fred Nayebare Kyamuzigita urged beneficiaries to make productive use of the animals provided. He cautioned against using the heifers as bride price highlighting their potential for economic empowerment through breeding and multiplication.

Sheema District Chairperson Jemima Tumwijukye Buhanda praised the public for complying with the government’s directive to vacate the wetlands noting that this decision positively contributed to environmental restoration in the area. She also expressed gratitude to the government for prioritizing support for those in need particularly those who willingly left the wetlands.

Patrick Turyatunga, the Sheema District Natural Resources Officer acknowledged the initial resistance to the wetland eviction directives but noted that sensitization meetings were instrumental in gaining community acceptance after assurances of compensation.

Turyatunga urged land owners near wetlands to maintain the recommended buffer zones to avoid penalties and stressed the importance of beneficiaries using their resources responsibly to ensure sustained benefits.

Community leaders and well wishers gathered at Mbogo Bataka Primary School in Kanoni Sub-County, Kazo District yesterday for a fundraising event at the school premises . The aim of the function was to raise funds for the construction of staff quarters at the school.

The headteacher, Herbert Kayibanda, who was transferred to the school a year ago, expressed his concerns about the school’s current condition stating that it was in a sorry state. He explained that lack of staff quarters is believed to be a contributing factor to the school’s poor academic performance as teachers are forced to commute from distances of 4 to 5 kilometers to school on a daily basis.

Kayibanda further revealed that challenges faced include dilapidated buildings, poor academic results, particularly in the Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) over the previous years and low enrollment which currently stands at 290 students.

Close to Ugx shs 20 million was raised in both cash and pledges to build staff shelter for a school that has been in existence for 50 years.

Hon. Jenifer Muhesi, the Kazo District Woman Representative, pledged to roof the structure that will be put up and urged attendees to work hard and combat poverty .She also asked them to aim at creating alternative sources of income in order to educate their children.

Agume Robert, the Acting District Education Officer, assured the congregation that the District Education Department has plans in place to renovate the school’s buildings in the coming financial year.

Hon. Dan Atwijukire Kimosho, the Member of Parliament for Kazo County, who was also the chief guest at the event asked parents to prioritize their children’s education, emphasizing that education is the key to success. He also condemned the rising incidents of animal theft in the area, calling for community vigilance.

Residents of Kaganda 1 Cell in Kiyagara Parish, Kahungye Sub County, Kamwenge district have taken matters into their own hands by constructing an outreach health facility for which they are now seeking government support to enhance the services provided by this health facility.

Pascal Roziyo Orisigara, the chairperson LCI Kaganda I, revealed that the community came together to raise funds for the facility due to the considerable distance to the nearest government health center. “To make health services more accessible, residents from Kaganda 1 and 2 collaborated to collect Ugx Shs 10,000 from each household and used it to construct the health facility,” he stated.

Gaston Turyahikayo, a Village Health Team member in Kaganda 1 shared his disappointment regarding lack of government response despite their attempts to reach out for assistance. “We tried contacting the authorities but we received no support which pushed us to take the initiative to help ourselves,” Turyahikayo said.

Though the facility is now operational, it currently offers only two health services antenatal care and polio vaccinations which are limited to once a month. Turyahikayo emphasized that this leaves a significant gap in healthcare services for the community.

Virginia Komworeko, the Assistant District Health Officer for Kamwenge District Maternal and Child Health Department acknowledged the residents’ efforts and expressed the district’s readiness to support them. “We are prepared to assist in expanding the health services available in Kaganda,” Komworeko confirmed.

As the local community continues to advocate for improved healthcare resources, they hope that their initiative will lead to more comprehensive health services and ultimately enhance the well-being of residents in Kaganda.

Authorities in Kiruhura district have asked residents to remain vigilant and safeguard their property With Christmas just around the corner. This comes amidst rising concerns of theft and other disturbances during the festive season in the area.

The Kiruhura District Police Commander, SP Hajj Kitaka Sulait warned that holidays often bring about an increase in security threats, including potential terrorist activities that may target large gatherings. “We urge the public to be alert and report any suspicious behavior,” he stated. He also emphasized the need for community awareness as celebrations commence.

Kitaka recommended that churches and other gathering places employ metal detectors aimed at screening attendees and further advocated for the establishment of neighborhood watch programs to strengthen local security.

Kitaka acknowledged challenges in police human resource and stressed the importance of personal responsibility in ensuring safety. “The number of police officers is not sufficient, so it is crucial for individuals to take proactive steps to protect themselves and their property,” he cautioned.

Sgt (rtd), Apollo Tushemereirwe, the coordinator of district crime preventers echoed these sentiments, highlighting an uptick in incidents such as drunkenness, fights and thefts targeting passersby.He said that this is common in villages during the festive season. He urged crime prevention personnel and UPDF veterans to remain vigilant and actively work to prevent such behaviors from disrupting community harmony.