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In a recent ruling by the chief magistrate’s court in Kyenjojo, a police officer AIP Yusuf Kule has been sentenced to four years in prison after being found guilty of stealing government drugs. His arrest took place in September,2023 during an operation aimed at combating government drug theft. The operation was led by the National Drug Authority (NDA).
Kule was charged with six others for allegedly pilfering government-issued drugs, including antiretrovirals (ARVs) and antimalarials with intentions to sell them in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo. The other six co-defendants pleaded guilty, resulting in sentences ranging from three to six years.
While delivering the verdict, Magistrate Gloria Aciba Nimungu indicated that the 11 months Kule had already spent in custody will be factored into his four-year sentence.
Abiaz Rwamwiri, the Public Relations Officer of the National Drug Authority, expressed approval of the sentence stating that it serves as a warning to others considering similar illicit activities.
Brigadier General Felix Kulayigye, the Spokesperson of Uganda People’s Defence Forces, has urged parents in Bushenyi District to engage their children in productive activities to combat idleness. He was speaking at a ceremony for 650 students who completed a week of patriotism training at Kyabugimbi Secondary School. He stressed the importance of balancing parental love with accountability.
Kulayigye encouraged parents to assign responsibilities to their children and correct them when they err. He revealed that society faces challenges from foreign influences and that this needs to be addressed. He urged students to apply the skills learnt during their training, stressing that discipline, kindness, and patriotism are vital for national strength.
Madinah Zalwango, coordinator at the National Patriotism Secretariat noted that the patriotism initiative, launched by President Yoweri Museveni in 2009 aims at equipping young people to succeed in a competitive world. She highlighted alarming statistics revealing that the western region leads in HIV/AIDS transmission, with 600 young people aged 15-30 infected weekly.
Bushenyi District Woman Member of Parliament, Annet Katusiime Mugisha remarked that patriotism training has positively impacted students, promoting a love for their country. She expressed concern over growing issues, including substance abuse and early sexual activity which contribute to moral decadency.
Alex Musinguzi, the Kyabugimbi Secondary School headmaster added that patriotism training will instill discipline and foster responsible citizenship among students.
Ntungamo District Chairman Samuel Mucunguzi Rwakigoba Ssalongo has praised local school heads for their resilience and dedication as effective stewards of public schools in the district.
His remarks came yesterday during the release of the Ntungamo District Primary Leaving Mock Examination results at St. Matthew’s Cathedral Kyamate in Ntungamo Municipality. Mucunguzi acknowledged the significant challenges facing the district, particularly the ongoing shortage of staff. He pointed out that many teachers have been serving as headteachers for extended periods, a situation that violates regulations. He assured attendees that he would address these staffing concerns within the current quarter of the financial year.
To alleviate the burdens caused by staff ceilings in government-aided schools, Mucunguzi pledged to increase staffing levels by 70%. He directed Chief Administrative Officer Mathius Ndifuna to prioritize the promotion and recruitment of qualified teachers in accordance with established service guidelines to fill existing gaps that have hindered the district’s academic performance.
Ndifuna emphasized the importance of head teachers being well-versed in professional regulations and making decisions based on educational statutes.
Bernard Ahabwe Mupenda, Chairperson of the district’s social services committee, recognized the commitment to improving school infrastructure, which includes the construction of 36 water tanks and four latrines, as well as other planned renovation activities for the current financial year. Mupenda, who is also the LCV councilor for Ruhaama Sub County, urged school heads to collaborate effectively despite challenging working conditions.
Emmanuel Katto, Chairperson of the Ntungamo Primary Schools Head Teachers’ Association, stressed the need for capable and competent examiners to ensure professionalism in both conducting and marking examinations. He reported that the mock examination papers, prepared by a team of knowledgeable UNEB examiners, met the required standards. However, he pointed out that while science saw the highest scores, many candidates struggled with reading comprehension and concept interpretation across all subjects.
A total of 11,807 candidates participated in the 2024 mock examinations, with results indicating that 1,669 achieved first division, 3,493 in second division, 1,817 in third grade, 3,124 in fourth grade, and 1,611 ungraded.
In terms of performance rankings, Kajara County emerged at the top, followed by Ruhaama, Ruhaama East, and trailing was Rushenyi County.
Mercy Orikiriza, the Inspector of Schools, encouraged both public and private school heads to intensify efforts to enhance academic performance in their institutions.
The event was attended by various dignitaries, including District Inspectors of Schools Robert Tuzarirwe and Francis Gumisiriza Ruhinja, among others.
The Mitooma District Chief Magistrate’s Court remanded three witch doctors, identified as Musimenta Kamadi, Moses Tumusiime, and Nadia Katushabe, on allegations of human trafficking and obtaining money under false pretenses.
During the proceedings held yesterday, Chief Magistrate His Worship Toroko Simon learned that the accused, all residents of Mushunga Parish in Mitooma Sub County, Mitooma District unlawfully received 5.2 million Uganda Shillings from Eserida Twikiriize, a resident of Mbarara. Following the transaction, they confined Twikiriize in a house for a duration of three days.
The accused subsequently demanded an additional 14 million Uganda Shillings from Twikiriize’s relatives, threatening to keep her imprisoned if the amount was not paid.
However, upon realizing that the family could not meet their demands, the trio eventually released Twikiriize. This prompted her relatives to report the incident to the police, who initiated a manhunt and eventually apprehended the suspects in Mbarara, where they were hiding.
The trio pleaded not guilty to the charges. State attorney Keshubi Caroline requested additional time to commence the hearing of the case.
In response, His Worship Toroko Simon remanded the three defendants to prison until August 29, 2024, when court proceedings will continue regarding the case.
Manchester City stars Phil Foden and Bunny Shaw have been honored as the men’s and women’s PFA Players of the Year for the previous season at the PFA awards held on Tuesday evening. Foden, 24, played a pivotal role in Manchester City’s achievement of a fourth consecutive Premier League title, scoring 19 goals and providing eight assists, and his efforts have been recognized by his peers.
Phil Foden poses with the award (Photo Courtesy)
On the women’s side, Jamaican forward Bunny Shaw was the top scorer in the Women’s Super League, netting 21 goals, although Manchester City narrowly missed out on the title to Chelsea on goal difference.
Khadija Bunny Shaw poses with her PFA award (Photo Courtesy)
Chelsea attacking midfielder Cole Palmer received the men’s PFA Young Player of the Year award, while Manchester United midfielder Grace Clinton was honored with the women’s young player award after her impactful loan spell at Tottenham last season. Palmer finished second in the Premier League scoring charts with 22 goals and also led Chelsea in assists with 11. Clinton shone in a struggling Spurs side, contributing four goals and four assists in 20 WSL appearances.
Chelsea’s Cole Palmer poses with his PFA award (Photo Courtesy)
Fara Williams, the most capped player in England’s history with 172 appearances and 40 goals, received a PFA Merit award for her outstanding contributions to the game. Williams played a key role in helping England achieve third place at the 2015 World Cup and represented Team GB at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Arsenal players dominated the PFA team of the year with Golden Glove winner David Raya, who had 16 clean sheets was joined by defenders William Saliba and Gabriel highlighting Arsenal’s strong defense. Saliba played every minute in the Premier League, while Gabriel had his best season yet after overcoming early transfer speculation. The PFA’s choice to include three center-backs in a four-man defense reflects current tactical trends.
Declan Rice, the £105 million signing, met Arsenal supporters’ expectations and improved their set-pieces. Martin Ødegaard didn’t match his previous season’s output, but his influence in the latter part of the campaign was significant.
Arsenal players from left David Raya, Gabriel Magalhaes, Martin Odegaard, William Saliba and Declan Rice at the PFA awards ceremony (Photo Courtesy)
Additionally, Lewington, 40, made history by breaking the EFL record for the most appearances with a single club, racking up 771 appearances for MK Dons last December. West Ham’s new signing Crysencio Summerville was named the Championship Player of the Year after scoring 21 goals for Leeds, who fell short of promotion in the play-off final. Alfie May, now with Birmingham, won the League One award with a league-high 23 goals for Charlton, while Notts County’s Jodi Jones claimed the League Two prize after providing a record 24 assists, marking the club’s return to the EFL since the 2018-19 season.
The PFA Teams of the Year featured the following players:
PFA team of the year 2024 ( Photo Courtesy)
Goalkeeper: David Raya (Arsenal) Defenders: Kyle Walker (Man City), Gabriel (Arsenal), William Saliba (Arsenal), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) Midfielders: Declan Rice (Arsenal), Rodri (Man City), Martin Ødegaard (Arsenal) Forwards: Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa), Erling Haaland (Man City), Phil Foden (Man City)
Bushenyi Ishaka Municipality is facing a severe shortage of primary school teachers as a growing number of educators are opting for early retirement.
Saverio Mukobi Byarufu, the town clerk of Bushenyi Ishaka Municipality, revealed that in just one month, six teachers submitted their applications for early retirement. This trend poses a significant threat to the academic performance within the municipality.
During an address to school heads at the official release of mock examination results, Byarufu emphasized the importance of dedication and patriotism among teachers, urging them to fulfill their roles until the age of 60 before considering retirement.
He expressed concern that the increasing number of retirements would compromise service delivery to students, especially as schools are already facing staffing shortages.
Byarufu highlighted several factors contributing to the decision of teachers to retire early, including marital responsibilities, work-related pressures, and inadequate financial compensation.
Former U.S. President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama energized the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday night, rallying support for Kamala Harris in her presidential campaign against Republican Donald Trump. With a powerful endorsement, Obama emphasized Harris’s potential to make history as the first woman and first Black and South Asian president, urging Americans to reject the chaos of the past four years.
“We do not need four more years of bluster and bumbling and chaos. We’ve seen that movie before, and we all know the sequel is usually worse,” Obama stated, highlighting the need for change and a new narrative for America under President Kamala Harris. He praised Joe Biden’s legacy as a defender of democracy and expressed pride in their long-standing friendship.
Michelle Obama, who introduced her husband, echoed his call for hope and progress. She cautioned that Trump would attempt to distort Harris’s truths, recalling his past racist rhetoric and asserting that his worldview was threatened by the success of Black individuals like Harris.
Harris, participating virtually from a rally in Milwaukee, responded to Trump’s remarks regarding the Supreme Court’s controversial decision on abortion rights, asserting, “Bad behavior should result in a consequence… and that will be at the ballot box in November.” She emphasized abortion rights as a key issue for many voters and pledged to uphold women’s rights as part of her campaign.
The convention also featured Republicans disillusioned by Trump, such as former White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham, who described her transformation from a loyalist to an advocate for change, and Arizona Mayor John Giles, who urged moderates to abandon what remains of the Republican Party under Trump.
While the event unfolded amid protests against U.S. support for Israel in Gaza; an issue raised by Senator Bernie Sanders. Most convention speakers focused on the presidential race and unity within the Democratic Party. The challenge remains for Harris and the Democrats to galvanize support from disaffected Republicans and encourage high voter turnout in November.
State House Comptroller, Jane Barekye has acknowledged the challenges of managing the influx of Presidential donations during her testimony before Parliament’s Presidential Affairs Committee on August 13, 2024. She highlighted issues stemming from persistent demands from ministers during Cabinet meetings, stating, “It’s impossible to plan for these donations. We can’t budget UGX 500 billion without knowing the recipients.”
Barekye’s comments responded to concerns raised by Members of Parliament, including Kazo District Woman Member of Parliament, Jennifer Muheesi, about the backlog of unpaid pledges causing distress in communities. Muheesi warned, “The outstanding donations are causing significant problems. We need a solution.”
For the 2024/25 national budget, State House has requested an additional UGX 30 billion for donations, citing an inadequate existing budget amid rising demands. This sentiment was echoed by Hon. Stephen Kangwagye(Bukanga), who urged colleagues to support the request for more funding to sustain the President’s philanthropic activities.
The Minority Report on the budget revealed that out of a total UGX 160 billion allocated for donations, more than half of it is designated for the Presidency. The report indicated that the Presidency plans to spend UGX 77 billion on community outreaches and UGX 57 billion on initiatives, totaling UGX 136 billion.
Other government entities, including the Office of the Prime Minister, Parliament, and the Government Chief Whip, have various donation budgets, adding to the overall financial landscape of presidential and governmental contributions.
The atmosphere in Katiti village, Makulubita Subcounty in Luwero District has been one of profound sadness while residents gathered to pay their respects to former Justice Minister and Attorney General, Prof. Edward Kiddu Makubuya, who passed away today Monday, August 19 in the morning.
Patrick Kisekwa, a former Luweero District Councilor and bush war veteran, shared the community’s sorrow, highlighting Makubuya’s remarkable journey from a District Councilor for Makulubita sub county to an MP for Katikamu South Constituency and serving in various high-level government roles, including being a Cabinet Minister and Attorney General, from 1988 until his retirement in 2015.
He expressed his sadness at the loss and revealed that they were heartbroken by the news of Makubuya’s demise. In Makulubita Sub County, which he represented before going to Parliament,the people grieve the loss of a son who served them diligently across different levels of government.
Prof. Victoria Nakiboneka Mwaka, a former Luweero District Woman MP who also offered her condolences, noted, “This is not only sad news but a tremendous loss for the nation and the people of Luweero District. I extend my sympathies to the family, relatives, and the entire country. Makubuya was not only my colleague but also my brother.”
Rebecca Nabaggala, a daughter to Makubuya, informed our reporter that her father passed away Sunday at Nakasero Hospital, where he had been battling illness for a long time. Nabaggala revealed that the bereaved family will gather at their Ntinda, Kampala based home to discuss the burial arrangements.
Born in 1949, Makubuya embarked on his political career in 1988 as a District Councilor for Makulubita Sub County in Luweero District. He later represented Katikamu South Constituency as an MP, holding various significant ministerial positions, including State Minister for Luweero Triangle, State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister for Education and Sports, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, and Attorney General. He resigned from the Cabinet in 2012 and served as the MP for Katikamu South from 1996 until 2016. His legacy of dedication and service will be remembered by many in Luweero and beyond.
At least seven people have been confirmed dead while over 30 have sustained injuries following a collision between a bus and a truck in Kirumba Village, Lwengo District, in the wee hours of Monday August 19 on the Masaka-Mbarara highway.
The accident occurred around 4 a.m. as a speeding bus, registration number UBQ 621 Z, owned by Gateway Bus Company, collided head-on with a Fuso Fighter truck, registration number UBM 673 K, which was loaded with sacks of maize flour. The truck was traveling from Masaka to Mbarara City. The deceased, who are yet to be identified, were reportedly on the bus coming from Kabale in western Uganda en route to Kampala.
Eyewitness Richard Ssekitoreko, chairperson of Kirumba Village, stated that many passengers on the bus sustained various injuries, while those in the truck also suffered multiple injuries, including fractures. He attributed the crash to the bus driver’s attempt to overtake another vehicle.
“The bus driver was in the process of overtaking a Jaguar bus when he miscalculated, resulting in a head-on collision with the oncoming truck,” Ssekitoreko explained.
Close to 69 passengers are believed to have been on board. Many of the injured were taken to local clinics in Kyazanga Town Council and Masaka Regional Referral Hospital.
Twaha Kasirye, Southern Regional Police Spokesperson, confirmed that a traffic team is on-site gathering information about the crash and revealed that, “I will provide a detailed statement once our team returns from the field.”
This incident marks the third fatal crash involving a bus on this highway in the past year. On August 28, 2023, a bus owned by Global Bus Company, registration number UBB 985 M, skidded off the highway, resulting in two deaths and over 20 injuries. Just days later, another accident involved a bus from Perfect Coaches, registration number UBF 025G, also skidded off the highway, killing at least two and injuring 17 others.
In response to the rising number of road accidents, police reintroduced Operation Fika Salama (Reach Home Safely) along major highways last year to combat reckless driving. Despite the road’s smooth surface and climbing lanes, the Masaka-Mbarara highway remains one of the country’s most accident-prone routes.
