The Minister of Gender, Labour and social development, Betty Amongi has lauded the NSSF for its willingness to collaborate with her Ministry using an existing network to improve compliance, as a major component of the expansion of social security coverage.

Speaking as the chief guest during the one day training workshop for local government leaders and labour inspectors on NSSF compliance in western region at Lake view hotel Mbarara, Minister Amongi said that employer compliance with the NSSF Act has become a key area of emphasis, following this partnership with the NSS Fund.

Some of the Labour Inspectors attending the compliance workshop (Photo – NSSF)

She added that the Labour Inspectors will carry out inspections on-the-spot to find out which employers are not complying with the NSSF Act and support the Fund to map out the landscape of workers in Uganda and share this information with NSSF.

Minister of Gender, Betty Amongi addressing the labour inspectors during the workshop. (Photo- NSSF)

“We get cases of workers who are treated unfairly by their employers, the biggest responsibility of protecting workers’ rights lies with you the government representatives in your areas of jurisdiction,” Amongi told labour inspectors.

In his remarks, Patrick Michael Ayota, the newly appointed NSSF Managing Director appealed to every Ugandan who earns an income to increase the capacity to save through strategic partnerships, saving, and investing, a way of life for our most vulnerable populations.

The NSSF Act, as amended, now requires every employer, irrespective of the number of workers they employ, to pay social security contributions for all their employees.  

The training was attended by labour inspectors from Buhweju, Bushenyi, Ibanda, Isingiro, Kazo, Kiruhura, Mbarara, Mitooma, Ntungamo, Rubirizi, Rwampara, Sheema, Buliisa, Hoima, Kagadi, Kakumiro, Kibaale, Kikuube, Kiryandongo, Masindi, Kabale, Kanungu, Kisoro, Rubanda, Rukiga, Rukungiri, Bundibugyo, Bunyangabu, Kabarole, Kamwenge, Kasese, Kitagwenda, Kyegegwa, Kyenjojo and Ntoroko districts.

The minister of health Dr Jane Ruth Aceng has called on the people of Mitooma to embark on preventive measures of some diseases than waiting for cure which she says can reduce the health risks.

Aceng made the call in her speech that was read by the Director of curative service, Dr Olaro Charles who represented her as the guest of honor in the groundbreaking function to mark the upgrade of Mitooma Health Center IV that has been elevated to a general hospital.

In a function held at Mitooma District headquarters, Aceng noted that once people understand the use of preventive measures, it will be easy to cub down the health risks and increased spread of diseases hence maintaining good Health.

Speaking on the same function, the minister of internal affairs Maj. Gen Kahinda Otafiire asked people of Mitooma to use this opportunity and acquire market for their products.

Capt. Mugabe Dononzio Kahonda, the Ruhinda South Legislator asked all leaders to have one voice in supervision and implementing government programs if they are to make them successful.

Byaboneka Wilberforce, the Mitooma district NRM chairperson asked political leaders to stop interfering with the work of the technical people but rather give them time to express their expertise and report to them for smooth coordination of such programs.

The UGX 22 billion project  will be done by the UPDF engineering Brigade and the first phase is expected to cost UGX 6 billion and will be completed in six months.

Police in Buhweju District are hunting for a middle-aged man on allegations of killing his girlfriend.

Martial Tumusiime, the greater Bushenyi region police spokesperson identified the suspect as Bright Bagumaho, a resident of Nyakitoma Village, Katara Parish in Buhweju district while the deceased is Rosemary Narinda, 22, a bar attendant and a resident of Rwenshuri village, Kashangura sub-county in Ibanda District.

Tumusiime said the incident happened in Nyakitoma Village, Katara Parish, Karungu Sub-County in Buhweju District.

It is alleged that the deceased was in a romantic relationship with the suspect and yesterday the suspect accused her of having multiple affairs with other men. He attacked her and stabbed her in the chest. 

The suspect has since escaped into hiding and efforts to trace him are under way. The body of the deceased was retrieved and taken to Nsiika Health Centre IV for postmortem examination and investigations into the matter continue.

The Ankole diocese has released the burial program for Bishop Emeritus George William Tibesigwa,78, who died on Wednesday afternoon at Mayanja memorial hospital in Mbarara City.

Bishop Tibesigwa, who served as the fourth Bishop of the Ankole diocese, succumbed to Diabetes after spending a week in admission.

According to Rt. Rev. Fred Sheldon Mwesigwa, the Ankole Diocese Bishop, a vigil will be held this Friday, after which the body will be taken to Nyakabare Parish Church of Uganda for a funeral service from 2PM-5PM and then transported to his ancestral home in Rugando Rwampara for a vigil from 5PM-till late.

On Saturday, the body will be transported to St.James Cathedral in Mbarara City for the final send-off.

Bishop Mwesigwa expressed his condolences to the bereaved family and all the Christians of Ankole Diocese.

“May the Lord comfort the bereaved family and all the Christians of Ankole Diocese,” said Mwesigwa.

Mbarara City Traders have resolved to purchase a firefighting truck.

The decision comes after a recent fire outbreak along Maj. Victor Bwana road that caused significant damage to Timber and Timber products worth billions of money.

Last year alone, the city experienced three fire outbreaks, destroying two schools and timber stalls.

In an interview with our reporter, Sezi Mweijuka, the Chairperson of Mbarara City Traders Association (MBACITA), expressed that traders and citizens have often blamed the losses incurred during fires on the delayed response of the police fire brigade.

He says that the association aims to raise over UGX 148 million to procure the firefighting truck within 90 days and every trader within the City is required to pay UGX 15,000 to meet this budget.

This initiative is expected to enable them to respond to fire incidents promptly and minimize damage.

Police in Buhweju District are hunting for a man suspected to have killed his six year old biological son.

Martial Tumusiime, the greater Bushenyi region police spokesperson identified the suspect as Wilbroad Ayebazibwe, 34, while the deceased  is Linus Akampwera (biological son to the suspect), both residents of Kamakanda Village, Katara Parish, Karungu sub-county in Buhweju District.

It is said that the mother to the victim, developed misunderstandings with her husband who is the prime suspect in this matter.

Annet Ainembabazi, 31, wife to the suspect reported the matter to police saying they developed misunderstandings that resulted into the tragic incident.

Tumusiime said that the couple developed a quarrel after coming back home from a bar where they had been together.

Tumusiime added that in the due course of the quarrel, the suspect picked a panga and tried to cut his wife who dodged the panga and it landed on the left side of the child’s neck, killing him on spot.

The body of the deceased juvenile was conveyed to Nsiika health centre IV for Postmortem examination and investigations into the matter continue.

Residents of Buhweju district have been asked to embrace value addition of their agricultural products to compete for both the East African and the global market.

The call was made by Eng Dr John Bosco Koy Kariisa from office of the president of Uganda while speaking as the guest of honor at the fundraising towards the construction of a classroom block at Rushambya Primary School in Burere sub-county, Buhweju district. 

Kariisa appreciated the area residents for their efforts towards commercial farming by extensively growing tea and coffee, noting that getting reliable market for them can lead to development and economic transformation.

Kariisa also added that education is a sure way to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor and called on the residents to embrace it.  

Amon Murebi, the chief organizer asked leaders and residents to always be supportive of the schools within their localities as the only way that can bring development within the area.

Mothers have been urged to breastfeed their babies exclusively for the first 180 days as one way of reducing the rate of stunted growth amongst young children. 

Speaking to journalists, Jean Kobucunguzi, the nutrition focal person at Bushenyi health center IV noted that many mothers ignore breastfeeding claiming that they are busy forgetting that breast milk is the only source of all nutrients for the babies.

Kobucunguzi said that for the baby to breastfeed effectively, the mother should breastfeed her child 12 times a day in the first 6 months.

Kobucunguzi asked the pregnant women to always go for antenatal checkups at least 4 times saying this will help them to produce healthy babies and be helped by health workers to breastfeed their new born babies in the first 5 minutes.

Uganda joined the rest of the world to mark breastfeeding week that is commemorated every first week of August annually and this year 2023, the World Breastfeeding Week is being celebrated under the theme; “Let’s make breastfeeding and work, work!”

The theme emphasizes necessary actions by policymakers, employers and colleagues to support continued exclusive breastfeeding in working women to their infants.

Students have been encouraged to find solutions to society problems within their environments.

The remarks were made by Professor Ogwang Patrick, the maker of Covidex during the first Science Education and Innovation Fair 2023 for all secondary schools in Kiruhura.

The event which was held at Kaaro high school playground Grounds, in Nshwere, Rushere town council, Kiruhura district was organized by the Nyabushozi constituency Member of Parliament, Hon Wilson Kajwegye under the Kajwegye Foundation.

Students from participating schools showcasing their innovations in science and technology at Kaaro High School.

While officially launching this new system of science expos for the schools in Nyabushozi, Hon Wilson Kajwegye said; “This system designed in line with the future we envision for Uganda as we all need to acknowledge Uganda’s abilities in science, technology, and innovation.”

Hon Kajwegye noted that such an event is important as it brings together various players within the value chain to pave a way forward for Uganda’s science, technology, and innovation sector.

“Science and Technology hold the key to the present and future development of Uganda and as a government, we are aware that to escape from poverty, investment in science and technology education is the key,” said Kajwengye.

Professor Ogwang who was guest speaker urged students in schools to go out of the classrooms and use the environment to discover new things that are helpful to the society.

Kashaija Patrick, the head teacher of Kaaro high school, revealed that he is hopeful that the exhibition will help their students to be inspired in taking science subjects.

During this exhibition, Lake Mburo Secondary School topped all schools participating in showcasing their practicality in science and technology.