Ibanda district council has called for urgent action against parish chiefs who are reportedly extorting money from the Parish Development Model (PDM) program beneficiaries.

This follows a public outcry over rising cases of extortion by some parish chiefs who ask for money from beneficiaries to process their documents.

Speaking during the district council session on Friday, Ibanda district council speaker, Godwin Muhumuza revealed that some parish chiefs and chairpersons of PDM SACCOs are using the program to make their own money.

He called on council and Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to act and save the ordinary person from being cheated by people employed to serve them. 

Commenting on the matter, the district LC V chairman, Herbert Happy Mayanja said the fight against the vice is being frustrated by the beneficiaries “who don’t want to reveal the identities of the rogue parish chiefs”.

Meanwhile, Ibanda RDC Joseph Drake Mukiibi also challenged the councilors to do their work and help victims, saying that the reported extortion by parish chiefs is a “public secret” known to everyone, including councillors.

Mukiibi told the district council that cases of extortion have been reported in Igorora town council in Ibanda South County; in Kyeikucu in Kagongo Division, Ibanda Municipality, and in Kijongo sub-county, Ibanda North County adding that he has already forwarded the names of the parish chiefs reported to him as suspected extortionists to office of the CAO for action.

To curb the vice, Bibian Kabasonga (Ishongororo), suggested that leaders should always meet the beneficiaries alone during sensitization drives so that they can free speak out without fear.

Residents of Obwengara ward, Kazo town council in Kazo district are mourning the death of their councillor who perished in a road accident on Saturday morning.

ASP Apollo Okello, the officer in charge of traffic, Kazo district revealed that Frank Kateeba, 42, died after being knocked by a speeding car REG No. UBA 842G when he was riding his Senke motorcycle REG No. UEX 021L.

Okello added that the deceased was trying to branch from the main Road to village road in Bugorobi trading centre in Rwemirondo ward, Kazo town council, Kazo district when the tragedy happened.

Kateeba was rushed to Kazo Health Centre IV in a critical condition, he was referred to Kagongo Hospital for further attention where he was pronounced dead.

Frank Kateeba who has been representing Obwegara ward in Kazo town council since 2021 has also been serving as the secretary for social services at Kazo Town council.

Kateeba will today be laid to rest at his ancestral home in Obwengara ward.

Police in Sheema district are hunting for a 40-year-old man over aggravated defilement and impregnated her biological daughter of 16 years.

Martial Tumusiime, the greater Bushenyi region police spokesperson confirmed the incident and identified the suspect as Tumusiime Nelson, 40, a peasant, a resident of Kagango cell, Kagango Division, Sheema municipality in Sheema District.

Tumusiime also identified the victim as Aryandinda Rinah,16, a pupil at Unique nursery and primary school in P.3 class and a biological daughter to the suspect.

He revealed that it was reported that the suspect and his wife separated many years ago and the victim had been staying with the mother until last year in September when the mother brought her to the farther, and she started staying with the suspect, her siblings and the grandmother.

It is said that during the month of August 2023 the suspect started defiling the victim from his bedroom and warned her never to tell anyone.

Tumusiime further added that this month, the victim started feeling pain in her stomach which prompted the suspect (her father) to take her to Kabwohe health centre IV for treatment and on examining her, the doctor discovered that the victim was pregnant.

The suspect became suspicious when the doctor started interrogating the victim on who was responsible for her pregnancy, so he ran away and abandoned the victim in the hospital, police was informed and recovered the victim.

Tumusiime however said that the inquiries are ongoing and efforts are being made to have the suspect arrested.

Police in Buhweju district have arrested a one Kakuru Innocent in the connection with the murder of a 68-year-old woman in a domestic brawl.

Martial Tumusiime, the greater Bushenyi region police spokesperson confirmed the incident and identified the deceased as Kantayomba Fridah, a Peasant and resident of Ekinoni village, Rugongo Parish, Karungu sub-county, Buhweju District. 

Tumusiime revealed that the suspect is a biological son to the Deceased and it is alleged on the 28/09/2023 in the evening, Mugasha Moses a brother to the suspect went to check on his mother now deceased at her house as she was sickly.

On reaching her house, he found the door open and he entered up to the bed room where he found she had been hacked to death and her body was lying in a pool of blood.

Tumusiime added that the incident prompted Mugasha to make an alarm which attracted the locals who later reported the matter to police.

Tumusiime added that the body of the deceased had two deep cut wounds on the head and cuts on the hands.

It was also established that the Suspect had some land wrangle with the mother.

The body of the deceased was retrieved  and taken to Nsiika Health Center IV for postmortem examination as investigations into the matter continue.

Police in Kazo district are investigating circumstances under which an elderly couple was murdered on Saturday.

The residents of Buremba central cell in Kijoha ward, Buremba town council, Kazo district on Saturday morning woke up to the shocking news of the death of an old man and his wife killed by an unknown gang over yet-to-be established reasons.

The deceased have been identified as Baryayebwa John,100, and his wife Zelda Kenyangi, 88, all residents of Buremba central cell.

James Sabiti, an eyewitness, said that he realized this incident after he had come for milking but when he called them, they never responded.

He decided to call the daughter and alerted police who found the deceased in a pool of blood.

Marga Rumwitsa, the chairperson LC I, Buremba central cell in Kijoha noted that this incident is the first of its kind in this village.

She revealed that she received a phone call giving her bad news and also urged old couples to not always stay alone in their homes.

Police officer with the police canine dog tracing the suspects in the murder case.

Turyasingura Geofrey, the councillor Kijoha ward in Buremba asked the residents to remain calm and let police do its work and urged them to cooperate with the police by giving them any information concerning the incident.

Police from Kazo police station led by the OC CID and OC Station, Muhumuza Jalal rushed to the scene and took the bodies to Kazo health IV for postmortem examination.

According to Muhumuza, one suspect has since been arrested with the help of the police canine dog and taken to Kazo central police station to help with the investigations.

The Deans of Students and Guild Leaders from Different Universities have asked the Government to increase funding for innovation and research which can help to reduce unemployment in the country. 

The Call was made during the 15^th Annual Conference of Students and Guild Leaders held at Kabale University in Kabale Municipality.

The Guild President Mountains of the Moon University in Fort Portal, Owen Mukonyezi and Ms. Hibah Asiimwe, the Guild President Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) blamed the unemployment crisis on some academic courses that are no longer relevant to the job sector.

Deans of Students and student leaders pose for a group photo with the Vice Chancellor Prof. Joy Kwesiga after the Official Opening of the 7th Annual Deans Conference.

They asked the Government to promote innovation and practical courses that prepare students for immediate employment after graduation. 

While addressing the press at the sidelines of the conference, the Kabale University Dean of Students, Amos Tukamushaba said the rate of unemployment especially among the youths can be tackled if the Government increases funding for innovation programs in the higher institutions of learning. 

While giving a Keynote address at the conference, the Kabale University Vice Chancellor Prof. Joy Constance Kwesiga encouraged young people to go for short courses in technical skills in order to align themselves for self-employment.

This 3-day conference was held under the theme: “University Students’ leadership and employment in the 21st century” with the aim of sharpening the leadership skills of these strategic University Managers.

The deputy Resident City Commissioner Mbarara city south, Moses Aruho has suspended the operations of Mbarara City Traders Association (MBACITA) for allegedly obtaining UGX 105 million fraudulently from youth.

According to Aruho, in February this year, Simon Sezi Mwijuka, the chairman MBACITA solicited over UGX 100 million from 35 youth promising to take them on a benchmarking trip in Taiwan.

However, Aruho says that his office has received complaints from various youth demanding refund of their money from MBACITA after the association failed to take them for the trip.

He further revealed that Mwijuka is accused of soliciting UGX 3.5 million from Mbarara central market fresh fish vendors whom he promised to negotiate on behalf of them with Mbarara city council on rental fees.

The president’s representative intimated to our reporter that the committee members of the association accuse Mwijuka of working in isolation and mismanaging funds of the association.

It’s against the above background, that the office of the Resident City Commissioner suspended the operation of the association until Monday when Mbarara city leaders will meet over the same issue.

Residents of Kaaro vilage, Kyengando Parish, Engari Sub-county in Kazo District are engulfed in grief and shock after finding the body of their fellow drowned in a dam.

The deceased who has been identified as Sabiiti Wellen has been serving as the head teacher at Kiguma Primary School in Burunga Sub-county, Kazo District.

Godfery Mugisha Bigirwenda, the father to the deceased revealed that Sabiiti came from school on Thursday with a purpose of attending a fundraising function that was scheduled to happen on Saturday, 23^rd September 2023.

Bigirwenda intimated to our reporter that his son was in good harmony with the family and the residents therefore he cannot guess the cause of the matter.

Mukasa Philip, the Kazo District Police Commander revealed that preliminary reports suggest that Sabiiti was murdered because he was found with a deep cut on his head.

Mukasa told our reporter that the security team retrieved the body and took it to Ruhoko Health Centre IV for Postmortem examination.

Mukasa added that the investigations into the matter continue.

About Sabiiti Wellen

Sabiiti Wellen was born on 1^st July 1973 and taught in various schools including; Kyengando P/S, Kakindo P/S.

He was later promoted to the post of Head teacher and he served at Nyabubaare P/S, Rwakahaya P/S in Kanoni Sub-county, and finally Kiguma P/S in Burunga Sub-county.

At the time of his death, Sabiiti survived by 3 children and one wife, he will be laid to rest at his home in Kyengando parish, Engari Sub-county, Kazo District.

Police in Rubirizi District are holding a 32-year-old man on charges of defiling his 4-year-old biological daughter.

Martial Tumusiime, the greater Bushenyi region police spokesperson identified the suspect as Ibrahim Ssentongo, a peasant and a resident of Mugogo 11 village, Ryeru Sub-County in Rubirizi District.

Tumusiime said the suspect separated with the victim’s mother about three years ago and early this year she brought two children (the victim and her brother) back to their father.

Police said that the suspect used this chance of absence of the mother to sexually abuse his daughter.

It is said that on 19^th September, a one Kyarimpa Ronia reported to Pamela Musimenta, a member of the Village Health Team (VHT), that Ssentogo was found defiling his biological daughter.

According to Pamela Musimenta, 34, a member of VHT and resident of Mugogo ll village, Mugogo parish, Ryeru sub-county in Rubirizi District, the victim was tested and found out that she has been defiled several times.

According to Tumusiime, the suspect has since been apprehended and investigations into the matter continue.

The Mitooma district woman MP, Juliet Agasha Bashisha has launched a campaign to fight against early marriages and pregnancies in the district.

During the monitoring of government programs in Ruhinda North, Bashisha said it’s really worrying to find that most girls drop out of school and get married and become young mothers.

Speaking during a meeting at Cope School, She vowed to set up a committee that will help them identify people who are engaged in such early marriages including both the couple and parents so that they can get arrested.

Her main areas of worry were Bikungu where he said it’s now worse because even boys who are below 18 are already husbands and fathers saying this is one of the reasons why they even fail to think better and develop their families and community because they are still young.

The legislator noted that she will support parish SACCOs plus offering training services, especially to the youths on how to use the parish development model money.