Schools reopened today for the final term of the academic calendar year, yet government-aided primary schools in Bushenyi district have reported low attendance among pupils.

At several schools visited by our reporter, teachers arrived on time and were in class, waiting for more students to arrive before commencing normal lessons. For instance, at Irembezi Primary School in Nyakahita, only 182 out of the expected 572 pupils reported on the first day, according to head teacher John Vianney Bakunda. He noted that many parents, especially in rural areas, still hold the belief that sending their children to school on the first day leads to them becoming “redundant,” with some fearing their children will be assigned to general cleaning tasks.

Similarly, Rossetti Tukahirwa, head teacher at Nyamiko Primary School, reported that only 40 out of 174 expected pupils attended. She urged parents to embrace the tradition of sending their children to school on the first day, regardless of any concerns about school fees. Tukahirwa encouraged parents to consult school authorities regarding fee issues rather than imposing penalties on the children.

At Bushenyi Town School, head teacher Aziidah Nanseera reported that only 132 out of 476 students attended, attributing the low turnout to a requirement from the Parents Teachers Association for pupils to pay 50% of their fees upon arrival.

Despite the low turnout, Micheal Matigi, the Inspector of Schools in Bushenyi district, confirmed that attendance was slightly improved compared to previous years, both for teachers and pupils.

The U.S. has plunged into an unsettling era of political violence with two assassination attempts against former President Donald Trump occurring within just two months. In July, Trump narrowly escaped a gunman’s attack at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania where a 20-year-old shooter was killed by a sniper.

The most recent incident took place during a golf outing in West Palm Beach, Florida where an armed suspect with an AK-47-style rifle reportedly waited in the bushes for Trump. Quick action from Secret Service agents prevented the attack leading to the assailant’s arrest.

As gun violence continues to plague the nation, these alarming incidents reflect a troubling new normal in American politics. Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump’s Democratic opponent, condemned the violence, stating, “Violence has no place in America.”

The impact of the latest threat will largely depend on the identity and motives of the assailant, but for now, the reality of such violence seems to be increasingly accepted. In response, Trump has doubled down, vowing that these attempts to intimidate him will not deter his campaign. He frames himself as a target of persecution, claiming he stands for “forgotten” Americans and urging his supporters to “fight, fight, fight.”

While this latest incident may lack the dramatic visual impact of the July attack where Trump appeared bloodied and defiant on live television, it is likely to generate significant media attention and could shift focus away from recent controversies, including his uneven debate performance and social media disputes.

With just over seven weeks until the election, the political landscape remains fraught with tension and unpredictability, suggesting that more dramatic developments may lie ahead

In January 2021, Rwampara District received Shs 1.4 billion for 36 Emyooga SACCOs across two constituencies, with each SACCO allocated an initial capital of Shs 30 million. However, as of now, none of these SACCOs have managed to repay their borrowed funds.

Nationally, the Emyooga initiative, launched in 2020, aimed to provide financial support to various community groups, with a total budget of Shs 265 billion earmarked for 1,000 SACCOs throughout Uganda. To date, approximately Shs 125 billion has been disbursed, but reports indicate that many SACCOs across the country are struggling with repayment, raising concerns about the program’s effectiveness.

During a parliamentary finance committee oversight meeting yesterday, several chairpersons from the Emyooga SACCOs in Rwampara attributed the poor recovery of funds to political interference and local governance challenges. They claimed that external pressures and influences have hindered their ability to collect repayments from members.

Amos Kankunda, the legislator for Rwampara County and chairperson of the parliamentary finance committee, addressed these concerns, stating that the committee has instructed the Resident District Commissioner’s office to initiate arrest proceedings against beneficiaries who have failed to repay the funds.

Kankunda emphasized the need for accountability, noting that if the situation persists, it could undermine the credibility of the Emyooga initiative and jeopardize future funding for community development projects.

Police in Mbarara have recovered the body of Kyarisiima Judith, a nursing officer at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, who went missing from her marital home on September 2, 2024.

Judith, age 50, was married to Nkwasiibwe Justus, the head teacher at Bugashe One Primary School, located in Nyakayojo, Mbarara South Division. Her body was discovered in River Rwizi and has been sent to the Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital mortuary for a postmortem examination.

Harrison Kagure, the public relations officer for Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, stated that there have been no prior complaints regarding gender-based violence related to Judith’s marriage.

The Regional Police Public Relations Officer for the Rwizi region, Samson Kasasira, confirmed the details regarding Judith’s death, which was reported at approximately 9:00 AM in the Lugazi area along the banks of River Rwizi.

Kasasira indicated that police investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of death, considering the possibility of murder or suicide. Samples have been collected from the body, and detectives are interviewing individuals who had contact with Judith prior to her death in order to ensure justice is served.

Four people, including Judith’s husband, are currently being investigated as key suspects in the case surrounding her disappearance and subsequent death.