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Bishop Johnson Twinomujuni of West Ankole Diocese has urged school leaders to incorporate home economics into their curricula to better equip students with practical life skills. He emphasized that while schools focus on English speech, they often neglect cultural and practical skills that are crucial for students’ roles in their communities and homes.
Speaking at the dedication of over 180 candidates from Bweranyangi Junior School on Wednesday October 23, the prelate highlighted the importance of reintroducing co-curricular activities to help students explore their diverse talents.
Molly Nshekanabo, the chairperson of the management committee encouraged female candidates to remain vigilant during the holidays and urged parents to ensure equal educational opportunities for both girls and boys noting that girls now often surpass boys in enrollment due to increased parental focus on the girl child.
The Ibanda District Security Committee, chaired by the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Godfrey Mbetegyerize recently held an engagement meeting with the administration of Nyabuhikye Government Prisons Farm. The meeting concluded with a recommendation that the farm immediately ceases all cultivation activities in the buffer zone of R. Nyabukurungo.
Held at the Nyabuhikye Prisons Farm, the meeting addressed growing public and leadership concerns regarding environmental degradation linked to the farm’s agricultural practices. It was agreed that after the harvest expected in February 2025, there will be no further cultivation in the protected wetland area surrounding the river.
Nyabuhikye Government Prisons Farm is situated in Kayenje Ward, Bufunda Division, Ibanda Municipality, alongside the Mbarara-Ibanda highway.
RDC Mbetegyerize emphasized that the government is acting on the directive of the President, who has mandated that individuals and institutions operating within wetlands must vacate peacefully or face potential eviction without compensation. He highlighted that the erratic weather conditions currently affecting the western region are largely due to human encroachment on natural resources and he urged an immediate cessation of these harmful practices which are often the result of ignorance or negligence.
Robert Tumwesigye, the Senior Environment Officer for Ibanda Municipality instructed the Nyabuhikye Government Prisons Farm administration to plant recommended trees or pastures as a means of restoring the degraded Nyabukurungo wetland.
Elly Kirya, the Ibanda District Natural Resources Officer pointed out that Section 36 of the National Environment Act prioritizes the protection of wetlands and prohibits reclamation and the construction of illegal structures. This law empowers authorities to demolish any unauthorized structures located within wetland areas. He further explained that the Act enables districts to manage wetlands within their jurisdictions and to clearly demarcate their boundaries, ensuring that communities understand where the wetland limits lie, even as water levels and vegetation fluctuate.
In response, Patience Nambuya, the Deputy Officer in Charge of Nyabuhikye Government Prisons Farm stated that their commitment to following the guidelines and directives to safeguard vital ecosystems and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Patients affiliated with the Kashari Diabetic and Hypertensive Association in Mbarara district have raised serious concerns regarding the ongoing shortages of essential medications for their conditions at various local health centers.
During a visit on Tuesday, our reporter observed long lines of patients at Bwizibwera Health Centre IV, who were waiting for treatment but found that the facility lacked the necessary drugs.
Oliver Akankunda, the vice chairman of the association noted that they represent approximately 400 individuals suffering from diabetes and hypertension including many elderly patients and even some school-age going children from Mbarara and neighboring districts.
Dr. Bruce Mwesigye, a clinical officer at Bwizibwera Health Centre IV attributed the challenges the center is facing to a staffing shortage that began earlier this year when one clinical officer fell ill and his assistant went on maternity leave. This has created a significant gap in the care provided to the large patient population.
As a result, the center is currently limited to offering consultations, monitoring blood pressure and sugar levels, and prescribing medications that patients must subsequently obtain from private clinics and pharmacies exacerbating the difficulties they face in managing their health conditions.
Bushenyi district leaders have decided to transfer funds designated for the water sector to the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) to enhance water services for local communities.
During a stakeholders’ meeting at the Western Region Resource Center yesterday, leaders expressed concern over the district’s neglect of water projects despite significant investments from taxpayers.
Denis Kanyankole, the Chairman of Works Committee for Bushenyi District supported the decision emphasizing that government grants for water projects have primarily been spent on protected springs which he believes are not providing sufficient value. He argued that the funds would be better utilized by NWSC to purchase necessary materials, such as pipes and extend water supply to various communities.
Kanyankole highlighted the challenges with existing projects such as the Kyamukubwa Gravity Scheme in Ruhumuro Sub County and the Nyarugote Gravity project which consumed approximately 500 million shillings but are now ineffective as water sources have dried up leaving communities in need.
Jafari Basajjabalaba, Chairman of LC5 in Bushenyi District endorsed the decision noting that the government is incurring losses while local residents continue to face water shortages. He advocated for the district to collaborate with NWSC for better infrastructure.
Eng. Silver Mugisha, the Managing Director of the National Water and Sewerage Corporation noted that this policy has proven effective in other districts by facilitating the extension of safe piped water to communities. He expressed optimism about the potential impact of this collaboration in Bushenyi.
Mercy Timbitwire, a Public Relations Officer at the NRM Secretariat was remanded to Luzira Prison after a video showing her slapping a traffic police officer went viral. She was arrested on Friday October 18 and spent the weekend at Jinja Road Police Station before appearing yesterday at Nakawa Chief Magistrates Court.
Prosecutors have filed two separate cases against her. In the first case, Timbitwire is jointly charged with Bernadine Abangira, the Administrator of Berger Rights Holdings Limited with the theft of two mobile phones worth 800,000 shillings belonging to police officer Charles Makawa and an EPS machine valued at 14 million shillings which is property of the Uganda Police Force.
They are also accused of assaulting a police officer and being accessories after the fact of a felony. According to the prosecution, the alleged incidents took place at the UMA Showgrounds in Nakawa Division on October 18, 2024. After the alleged offenses, Timbitwire and Abangira reportedly used force against Officer Charles Makawa with Timbitwire specifically accused of assaulting him while he was performing his duties. Abangira is charged as an accessory for allegedly helping Timbitwire evade accountability.
In the second case, Timbitwire faces charges of reckless driving, failing to comply with a police officer’s orders and using a vehicle without third-party insurance as required by law. Prosecutors claim that Timbitwire drove a white Toyota Land Cruiser with the registration number 439T recklessly along New Port Bell Road near Makerere University Business School while using a handheld mobile phone.
Both women have pleaded not guilty to all charges before Chief Magistrate Erias Kakooza. State Attorney Mariam Kuluthum informed the court that investigations are complete. They will remain in custody at Luzira Prison until November 4, 2024.
A soldier from the elite Special Forces Command (SFC) is currently eluding capture after allegedly shooting dead three civilians and inflicting critical injuries on three others in Agago District. The suspect has been identified as Private RA/249451 Bony Ameny, a 45-year-old resident of Ocini Tetulu village, located in Kamdini Sub-county within Oyam District. He had been stationed at the Pakor Dungu detachment in Parabongo sub-county, Agago District.
Security officials reported that Ameny discharged his firearm against the civilians around 12:30 am on Monday while in Ngora East village situated approximately 15 kilometers from his designated area of deployment. Local authorities identified the victims as Florence Ajalo, 16; Akidi Santina, 52; and Santina’s 19-year-old daughter, Sunday Apio.
The injured parties comprise Charles Kidega, 45, who was struck in both legs along with Janet Apio, 20, and her one-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Blessing Agenorwot. All those injured are presently receiving medical care at Dr. Ambrosoli Hospital in Kalongo Town Council.
George William Kilama, the LC3 Chairperson for Lai Muttu Sub-County revealed that the incident arose from a tumultuous relationship between the suspect and his spouse. Kilama elucidated that Ameny’s wife who had been residing in Oyam District recently returned to Paimol Sub-county and rekindled her relationship with the father of her child. Following his discovery of his wife’s new affair, Ameny departed from his post on Sunday evening and camped in Ngora East village reportedly compelling a local man at gunpoint to act as a guide.
Kilama remarked that when witnesses reported the abduction and attempted to intervene, the suspect opened fire targeting those who approached in response to the gunshots.
James Nabinson Kidega, the Agago Resident District Commissioner and chairperson of the district security committee confirmed the incident and denounced the actions of the suspect emphasizing that his role was intended to safeguard community members.
Kidega stated that both the police and military are conducting investigations into the incident and are actively pursuing the fugitive.
The suspect is among a contingent of elite soldiers from the SFC who were deployed two years ago in Agago District to combat the persistent cattle rustling perpetrated by suspected Karimojong warriors.
The bodies of the deceased have been transported to Dr. Ambrosoli Memorial Hospital where they await postmortem examinations. A case of murder by firearm has been formally registered by the police at Kalongo Police Station under SD03/21/10/2024/CRB160/2024.
Rwamwanja Secondary School in Kibale East, Kamwenge District is in mourning the tragic death of Apophia Katushabe, a Senior Four candidate at the same school.
Katushabe had completed only four papers in the ongoing Uganda Certificate of Education examinations and was pronounced dead on Saturday evening.
Ndibarema Lawrence, the deputy head teacher of Rwamwanja Secondary School confirmed her death noting that Katushabe had been coping with minor medical complications during the exams. However, her condition worsened on Friday and she was rushed to a hospital in Kampala where she ultimately passed away.
Lawrence expressed disappointment saying that as a school they had high hopes in Katushabe who was considered a top candidate. “Now, out of 235 candidates taking the exams, we are left with only 234,” he lamented.
Katushabe was just 22 years old and her burial is scheduled for Monday October 21 at her parents’ home in Ntuntu Nkoma parish, Katalyeba Town Council in Kamwenge district.
Security forces in Ibanda district have recovered an automatic rifle AK-47 along with live ammunition. The Rwizi Region Police Spokesperson, SP Samson Kasasira has also confirmed the arrest of Ashraf Kiiza in connection with the firearm which was concealed in a swamp.
The operation conducted by a joint security team, led to the discovery of the weapon and two rounds of ammunition in Igorora village in Igorora Town Council. Kiiza, a known criminal had severally avoided arrest in a number of operations across multiple districts including Mbarara, Kazo, Kiruhura and Kamwenge. He and other accomplices are believed to be behind a string of armed robberies and cattle thefts in these areas.
Kiiza is suspected to have concealed the gun serial number UG PSO 56S 4101 385 13187 in a swamp. He was apprehended on October 10 during an intelligence-led operation involving the Police, Uganda People’s Defence Forces and Internal Security Organisation operatives.
He denied being the owner of the firearm which compelled the operatives to transfer him to Bihanga Army Barracks for further interrogations. Investigations are underway to trace the origin of the gun and apprehend additional suspects.
Coffee growers in Northwest Ankole Diocese,Ibanda district have been urged to participate in the ongoing farmer registration exercise. This call was made by Bishop Amos Magezi emphasizing that the initiative is vital for protecting households which are dependent on coffee production.
He further revealed that this will ensure stability of the church and the national economy by facilitating uninterrupted coffee exports to the European Union (EU).
This call comes at a time when Uganda is approaching a critical deadline to comply with new EU legislation regarding coffee imports from “deforested zones.” The European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) set to take effect on December 30 mandates that exporters and farmers demonstrate that coffee intended for the EU market is sourced from land where deforestation has not occurred since 2020. The registration exercise aims to establish a traceability system for coffee enabling Uganda to maintain access to the EU market which has 26 member countries.
During a media briefing on October 15 at his office in Ibanda town, Bishop Magezi highlighted the urgency of completing the farmer registration process in collaboration with the government before the deadline. He noted that coffee cultivation is a key initiative for the seven-year-old diocese which has distributed over 100,000 coffee seedlings across its 36 parishes.
Bishop Magezi pointed out that compliance with EU regulations would help ensure stable household incomes allowing families to afford education, healthcare and other necessities while also potentially reducing domestic violence driven by poverty. The regulation is intended to ensure traceability of coffee from farms to market.
He also announced that the diocese’s farmer registration system has received approval from the government and the EU. Since the registration process commenced in mid-2023 over 5,000 farmers have already been registered. However, the prelate called for government support noting that enumerating farmers is a challenging and costly task. The diocese plans to invest over 80 million Ugandan shillings in this initiative.
An enumerator from Kyanyabigondo, Kitontooma parish in the Bugarama archdeaconry reported that some individuals are hesitant to register due to fears of potential taxation.
Police in Kasese district are investigating the sudden death of Sulaina Nabasirye, a senior four student at Bwera Secondary School. Her death follows the tragic case of another candidate, Emmanuel Maate, who died by hanging days prior to sitting his national exams.
On Monday, Nabasirye sat for her exams and attended study sessions with her classmates. After returning to her dormitory, she reportedly developed breathing difficulties. The school matron, Peninah Biira rushed her to Bwera General Hospital where she was pronounced dead at approximately 11:00 PM.
Rwenzori East Police Spokesperson, SP Nelson Tumushime stated that police led by the Bwera Division police commander SP Tai Ramathan arrived at the scene and collected samples for postmortem analysis as part of the ongoing investigation.
This incident marks the second reported death of a candidate during the examination period. An emergency meeting with students was held at Bwera Secondary School this morning and examinations continued as scheduled.
On Saturday, 16-year-old Emmanuel Maate, a senior four student at Karambi Senior Secondary School, was found hanging in his room. Reports indicate that Maate had been dealing with personal issues including an alleged relationship that resulted in the pregnancy of a junior student which had reportedly caused him significant distress.
