Mbarara City Council leaders in collaboration with the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces Engineering Brigade officially launched the long-awaited rehabilitation of Katete Bridge on Friday October 6, following its closure for the past six months.

The project which is budgeted for Ugx Shs366 million is expected to be completed within one month. City Clerk, Assy Abireebe Tumwesigire explained that the rehabilitation will involve dismantling the bridge deck, installing guardrails and laying a new wearing course.

Robert Mugabe Kakyebezi, the Mbarara City Mayor expressed his disappointment regarding the politicization of the project by some individuals and apologized to residents for the delays in initiating the repairs.

Capt. Yunus Ntengeka, representing the UPDF Engineering Brigade, assured the community that the rehabilitation would be completed within the designated timeframe while maintaining high standards. He also mentioned that 40 percent of the available jobs would be allocated to local residents.

During the launch event, Deputy Resident City Commissioner for Mbarara City South Division, Robert Kanusu acknowledged the previous delays and reassured the public that the project is now on track for completion.

The Kisoro District Woman MP, Hon. Grace Akifeza Ngabirano has urged the public to invest in their children’s education as a means to achieve socio-economic transformation within the community.

The lawmaker emphasized the importance of education during a wedding ceremony of ASP Kushaba Michael, officer in charge of traffic in Kisoro District and his fiancée Sarah Busingye held in Kyahweire Ntungamo district. She congratulated the newlyweds and encouraged them to remain committed to their vows until death separates them.

Senior presidential advisor and former Ntungamo District Chairperson, Lay Can. John Wycliffe Karazaarwe called on civic and political leaders to uphold accountability and transparency if they are to leave behind a positive lasting legacy. He noted that many retired leaders have retreated into hiding often due to mismanagement of public funds while in office.

Kisoro Municipality Mayor, Ndyana Richard, who serves as the chairman of mayors and town clerks in the Western Region commended Kushaba for his incorruptibility within the police force.

During the Holy Matrimony of Kushaba and Busingye at Revival Center Cathedral in Ntungamo Municipality, Bishop Stempson Kamwesigye reminded couples that finding a good wife is a favor from the Lord. He emphasized that weddings should focus on true love rather than lavish celebrations or material gains.

Hon. Wilson Kajwengye, the Member of Parliament for Nyabushozi County in Kiruhura District, has issued a stern warning to the public regarding defilement and the protection of offenders calling for severe government penalties for such crimes.

Kajwengye said this while attending Rwemikunyu Primary School’s speech day. He expressed outrage over the alarming cases of older men preying on young girls referencing a specific incident involving a 25-year-old man and a 13-year-old girl. His comments came in response to concerns raised by head teacher Mugizi Tinka who highlighted the destructive impact of sexual abuse on the future of young girls.

Tinka urged parents, local leaders and law enforcement to report any suspected offenders to ensure responsible action is taken. He also appealed to government for assistance in constructing two additional classroom blocks equipped with desks to accommodate the increasing number of students.

Kajwengye proudly stated that education in Nyabushozi should distinguish itself from that in urban areas like Kampala, citing the region’s agricultural potential. He called on teachers to prioritize school gardening to encourage students to assist their families in food production and income generation, helping to combat idleness and promote future employment opportunities.

Graduands from Ibanda University have been challenged to provide solutions to societal problems to enhance their credibility within their communities. This message was emphasized by Aggrey David Kibenge, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development who was the chief guest at the university’s 8th graduation ceremony on Friday, December 6.

A total of 3,161 students graduated in various disciplines with 1,892 females and 1,269 males among them. This year’s graduation marked a significant increase compared to the previous year which saw only 668 graduates.

Kibenge urged the graduands to engage deeply with their communities by addressing local challenges. “Use the knowledge you have obtained to meet the needs of those around you. We desire more entrepreneurs and business initiators rather than hopeless job seekers,” he stated.

The keynote speaker, former Inspector General of Police Gen. Kale Kayihura, encouraged the graduands to maintain discipline as they enter the job market. He advised them to exercise patience and to avoid the temptation of seeking quick wealth.

Omukhukha Jude Mike Mudoma, leader of the Bamasaba Cultural Institution, motivated the graduates to focus on preserving their cultural heritage. He emphasized that learning, knowing, and speaking their local languages will empower them to protect their traditions which are increasingly at risk of extinction.

Police in Sheema District have launched an investigation into a violent robbery that occurred on December 4, 2024, at approximately 10:00pm in Kimondo1 cell, Marembo ward, Kitagata Town Council.

According to Martial Tumusiime, the Greater Bushenyi Police spokesperson the victims of the robbery have been identified as Julian Turyahabwe, a 46-year-old businesswoman and two other residents of Kitagata Town Council, Syson Twijukye Kihosho, 37 and Gerald Twinamatsiko, 35.

The incident unfolded on December 3, 2024 when the victims were inside Turyahabwe’s shop/bar. Four armed men, wielding pangas, entered the premises and began attacking the victims without uttering a word. During the chaos, one of the assailants accessed the counter and stole Ugx Shs115,000 along with spirits valued at Ugx Shs20,000 as the victims raised alarms for help.

Fortunately, one of Turyahabwe’s sons who had been sleeping in the boys’ quarters intervened by grabbing a spade. He struck one of the robbers in the face, causing him to bleed. This prompted the assailants to flee the scene before they could inflict further harm.

Authorities are continuing to gather information and evidence related to the robbery and urge anyone with additional details to come forward and share with security operatives.

The Buhweju district Chairman, Deo Atuhaire has encouraged parents to involve their children in household chores to as a way of preventing them from being idle during this long holiday.

Atuhaire made the remarks at the speech day and graduation ceremony for top-class students at Bushenyi Municipal School in Ruharo Central Division in Bushenyi district.

Schools across the country are expected to break off for holidays on Friday, October 6. Atuhaire emphasized the importance of engaging children in activities such as weeding and other household responsibilities to help improve their skills.

He also urged parents to take their children to places of worship, highlighting that this practice aligns with the skills promoted by the national curriculum.

Furthermore, Atuhaire noted that government should aim at equipping schools with tools that facilitate farming skills during their study period. He further encouraged parents to embrace and support these initiatives at home as a way of supporting government programs.

Robert Aitakatahire, the Education Officer in charge of counselling and guidance in Kazo district has linked a high school dropout crisis in Kazo District to inactive Local Council chairpersons. He said this in his speech at Kantaganya Primary School’s speech day and graduation ceremony for top-class students yesterday Dec 3.

He revealed that Local council 1 chairpersons do not mind about the school drop outs in their areas of jurisdiction and yet they are supposed to work in hand with government to ensure that all school-age-going children attend school.

He encouraged parents to look at education as a tool they can use to transform their families .

Aitakatahire also highlighted the impact of HIV on Uganda’s youth and urged parents to protect their children during the holiday season if this scourge is to be addressed.

Mathius Bamwine, the head teacher of Kantaganya Primary School encouraged parents to spend quality time with their children and to take them to church every Sunday as a way of bringing them closer to God and sharpening morality in communities.

Police in Sheema District have arrested a 56-year-old woman identified as Medrine Kyomugisha who allegedly killed her grandson over Ugx Shs14,000. The incident, which also involves a suspect who remains at large occurred on December 1, 2024, in Rwamurongora Cell, Kalera South Ward, Kashozi Division, Sheema Municipality.

Martial Tumusiime, the Greater Bushenyi police region spokesperson confirmed that the matter was reported by Yorokamu Tibanyendera, the Chairperson LC1 Rwamurongora Cell. The victim, Enrick Abaho was a 9-year-old pupil in Primary One at Nyakashambya Primary School and had been living with his grandmother.

According to reports, the victim allegedly stole Ugx Shs14,000 from his grandmother. When confronted about the theft, he denied taking the money. Consequently, the suspect teamed up with her neighbor, Katehangwa, and they assaulted the victim with sticks, leaving him severely injured.

The child’s condition deteriorated by December 2 and he was rushed to Kabwohe Health Center IV for medical attention where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Police are continuing their investigation, while the key suspect remains in custody.

The Grade One Magistrate for Kazo District, Joshua Ndhazano, has granted a 72-year-old man, Patrick Bekunda, two weeks to recover from a hearing impairment that hindered court proceedings on Monday, December 2.

Bekunda, a resident of Kabiimba Cell, Magondo Parish in Burunga Sub-County is accused of trespassing on the property of Lay Can. James Ruyondo, who also resides in the same village.

According to Bekunda, Ruyondo’s cows damaged his gardens of cassava, maize, and beans on October 8, 2024. “I found his cows in my gardens and pushed them back to his home. However, upon reaching his home, I was tied to a tree and assaulted. Later, I was forced into a car trunk and taken to Burunga Police Post,” Bekunda stated.

On October 8, Ruyondo reported the trespassing incident to Burunga Police Post, which led to Bekunda’s detention before he was subsequently released. In an interview with Kazo FM, Bekunda alleged that Ruyondo is simply harassing him, asserting that Ruyondo and his family members had physically assaulted him, injuring his head and damaging his ears.

The court has granted Bekunda two weeks to seek medical treatment, with the next hearing scheduled for December 16, 2024.

Mbarara District leaders and health workers have voiced concerns regarding the increasing number of sex workers in Rubindi-Ruhumba Town Council. This issue was a focal point during a stakeholders meeting organized by the Ministry of Health, held in the district health officer’s board room.

Francis Karugaba, the mayor of Rubindi-Ruhumba Town Council attributed the rise in sex work to factors such as poverty, unemployment and school dropouts. He noted that the town’s central location has made it an access point for young girls aged between18-25 from neighboring areas such as Kashongi County in Kiruhura District, Buhweju District and Mbarara City. Many of these girls are transported to the area to work as bar attendants.Unfortunately, a significant number end up engaging in commercial sex.

Dr. Peter Ssebutinde, the District Health Officer emphasized the need for tighter regulations to prevent the exploitation of young girls by bar owners.

Recent reports from UNAIDS indicate that around 1.3 million people contracted HIV/AIDS in 2023, highlighting the urgent need for awareness and preventive measures in the context of rising social issues in the district.