Authorities in Bushenyi district have asked government to focus on sensitization of masses on appropriate condom use.

Nobert Gumisiriza, the Bushenyi district HIV/AIDS network forum coordinator made the call while reacting to a report released by Uganda AIDS commission on World Condom Day which revealed that 72% of men lack knowledge of how to use condoms.

He also added that even female condoms are expiring in stores as a result of not knowing how to use them saying they are nowadays receiving new infections despite the government’s efforts to distribute free condoms to all public places.

Speaking to reporters, Gumisiriza said there is a need for the government to prioritize awareness to ensure proper knowledge on how to correctly use condoms saying this will prevent and control the spread of HIV /AIDS.

Relatedly, in Kazo district, Health workers urged Youths, discordant Couples and Sex workers to always use condoms for them to be sure of 95% protection from diseases like HIV/AIDs, Gonorrhoea, Syphilis, and Hepatitis B among others.

The remarks were made by Dr Elias Amutuhaire of Exodus Medical Services located in Kiringa-Burunga –Kazo District while speaking to Kazo FM in an exclusive interview during World Condom Day.

Dr Amutuhaire noted that once one uses a Condom, it protects them against sexually transmitted diseases and infections as well as preventing unwanted pregnancies.

World Condom Day also known as International Condom Day was established in 1987 in reaction to the HIV/AIDS crisis by the US-based nonprofit AIDS Healthcare Foundation and is celebrated on February 13 every year across the world.

The day is designed to highlight the benefits of condom use and advocating for its availability and accessibility and to empower people to make informed decisions about their sexual health and well-being.

It also serves as an opportunity to break down the stigma surrounding condoms and promote open discussions about sexual health, ultimately contributing to healthier communities worldwide.

This year in Uganda, the celebrations of World condom Day were held in Lyantonde district under the theme ‘Safer is fun’.

Police in Mitooma District have arrested two witchdoctors for raping a University student (names withheld) and stealing UGX 2.9 Million from her.

Martial Tumusiime, the Greater Bushenyi Region Police Spokesperson, confirmed the arrest and identified the suspects are Nazario Bazarwa, 72, and David Bamwetaki, 57, all residents of Nyantoma parish, Kashenshero sub-county in Mitooma district.

The victim is a Social Work and Social Administration (SWASA) student at Kampala International University, Western Campus who had gone to the witchdoctors’ shrine to stop her boyfriend from dating another babe.

Tumusiime has also revealed that the two witchdoctors told the student to spend the night at their shrine and the medicine would be administered the following morning. It is believed that during the night, the duo joined hands and raped the helpless KIU student.

Tumusiime added that the two have been charged with rape and obtaining money by false pretense.

Police in Mbarara city are investigating a case of suicide that happened at Skylight hotel on Tuesday night.

Samson Kasasira, the Rwizi region Police Spokesperson confirmed the incident and identified the deceased as Cosmas Nuwahereza,25, a staff member at the hotel.

Kasasira said the deceased jumped from the third floor and died instantly and he did not leave any suicide note that could help police in ascertaining the motive behind his action.

He added that police has started tracing the family and background of the deceased to get more details on what exactly might have forced him to commit suicide.

Mark Sonko, the director of Sky light Hotel said the deceased had just returned from home and it is expected that there could have been some disagreements back at home that compelled him to commit suicide.

The deceased’s body was taken to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital mortuary for postmortem examination as investigations into the matter continue.

Police in Bushenyi district are investigating the circumstances under which a 45-year-old man was beaten to death by mob.

Martial Tumusiime, the greater Bushenyi region Police spokesperson confirmed the incident and identified the deceased as Musasizi Jamil, a resident Nyonyo cell, Katerera, in Rubirizi district.

Tumusiime said that the incident happened last night at St Kaggwa trading center.

He added the deceased was found armed with a metal trying to break into a shop with the intention to steal which prompted the residents to lynch him to death.

Tumusiime however cautioned the people against taking the laws into their hand as this disrupts the investigations.

The Bishop of North Ankole Diocese, Rt. Rev. Stephen Namanya, has launched St. Stephen Rwamuranga parish Church of Uganda as the 74th parish of the diocese.

During his pastoral visit to the church that is found in Rwamuranga, Kazo Sub-County, Kazo district, the Bishop also confirmed 51 individuals into the Anglican faith.

Bishop Steven Namanya asked Christians of this church to draw closer to God, regardless of their social status, work for this parish and develop it to another level of development.

He added encouraged Christians to support their nearest schools noting that North Ankole Diocese has prioritized improving education standards of all schools within the diocese.

Rt. Rev. Stephen Namanya, speaking during the launch of St. Stephen Rwamuranga parish Church of Uganda on Tuesday.

Molly Nawe Kamukama, the former state Minister for Economic monitoring also implored the new confirmands to respect their parents as it says in Ten Commandments of God.

Rev Annah Nuwamanya, the parish priest of this church promised to uplift the parish to another level especially through spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Misach Katugwa, one of the Christians who spoke to our reporter on behalf of the other Christians revealed that they are overjoyed and satisfied with the decision of the diocese of getting their own parish that will bring the services closer to people.

Police in Rubirizi District have arrested a 19-year-old man on allegations of defiling a 7-year-old girl.

Martial Tumusiime, the greater Bushenyi region police spokesperson confirmed the incident and identified the suspect only as Mbabazi,19, a casual labourer and resident of Kyambuzi B Village, Kichwamba Parish, Kichwamba sub-county in Rubirizi District where the incident happened.

It is alleged that on 05/02/2024 at around 5:00pm, the victim went to graze goats where she found the suspect who was also grazing goats in the same place and he ended up defiling her.

Tumwesigye Macksensia, 39, a peasant and resident of the same address who reported the case to police said the knicker of the victim and vaginal swabs were recovered from the scene.

Tumusiime said the suspect was arrested and is currently under police custody as investigations into the matter continue.

The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, the Most Rev Dr Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, has commended the Bishop of North Ankole Diocese, Rt Rev Stephen Namanya who is set to retire on 26th May 2024 as a visionary leader who tirelessly worked for the transformation of the twenty-year old Diocese.

Archbishop Kazimba Mugalu who arrived in the Diocese on Friday 2nd February for his official pastoral visit, toured a number of Diocesan projects and notable among them was the Kakyera Stock Farm which has over 320 cows, the Clergy Pension House, Kanoni Bible College, Rushere Model Primary School, a valley dam, and the prospective North Ankole Mission Hospital set to house a theatre, male and female Wards, special clinics, a pediatric Ward and a pharmacy among others.

Archbishop Kazimba ministering as he concluded his pastoral visit to North Ankole Diocese with a Holy Communion Service at Emmanuel Cathedral, Rushere on Sunday.

Archbishop Kaziimba also visited the Deanery and Bishop’s ranches, the Early Child Development Center at the Cathedral and the North Ankole Platinum SACCO in Rushere Town Council and Kazo Branch which was established in 2017 and currently has 3,236 members with total shares amounting to UGX 559.6 million and a loan portfolio of UGX 1.1 billion.

Other notable projects visited included Buremba Secondary School, Bishops’ Girls Secondary School, and North Ankole Technical Institute, which is a future Polytechnic University in the Diocese’s plans, aiming at providing practical technical and science training and educational courses at the degree level.

Archbishop Kazimba Mugalu, receiving Holy Communion from his host Bishop of North Ankole Diocese, Rt Rev Stephen Namanya on Sunday. 

Archbishop Kaziimba expressed deep appreciation for Bishop Namanya’s active involvement in the House of Bishops, highlighting his crucial role in decision-making and formulating key policies for the Province of the Church of Uganda.

According to the Church of Uganda Communications Officer Sadiiki Adam Mugume, the Archbishop concluded his official pastoral visit on Sunday February 4th 2024 with a Holy Communion Service at Emmanuel Cathedral, Rushere in Kiruhura District.

Residents of Mbarara city have lauded the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) for championing peace and security in Uganda.

During the Civil Military activities in preparation for the upcoming Tarehe Sita celebrations, in Mbarara city, the residents said that they love the presence of UPDF and pledged their full cooperation with the army and other security agencies.

The UPDF soldiers from 2^nd Division Makenke led by Col. Wilberforce Sselunkuma, the Deputy Second Division Commander together with civilians cleaned Kakoba town, Kisenyi and Biharwe a head of Tarehe Sita celebrations on 6^th February, 2024.

The Chief participant Col. Sselunkuma said that civil military activities help UPDF to identify themselves with the people by giving back to the communities they serve.

Sselunkuma emphasized that people are the foundation of UPDF and this stretches back in the history.

In his remarks, Didas Muhanguzi, the Town Clerk City South Division said the day reflects the foundation of UPDF that is based on discipline and hard work which must be maintained.

UPDF will this year celebrate the 43rd Tarehe Sita at Busesa in the Eastern District of Bugweri under the theme: “Celebrating the Peoples’ struggle for Unity, Security and Peace”.

The celebrations are aimed at streamlining public awareness to remember those Ugandan Patriots who sacrificed their lives to liberate Uganda.

The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, the Most Rt Rev Dr Stephen Kazimba Mugalu has challenged the people of Kazo district to first elevate the cathedral in order to have an organized diocese.

Kazimba was on Saturday speaking during his first pastoral visit to North Ankole Diocese since he was consecrated as the 9^th Archbishop of the Church of Uganda. In response to the need for people of Kazo to have their own Diocese, Dr Kazimba challenged them to first beautify the existing cathedral.

Kazimba also revealed that the province banned the creation of new dioceses adding that they should focus on saving people’s lives and steer development as they wait for the ban to be lifted then they can resume asking for a Diocese.

He appreciated the leaders of North Ankole diocese for making a very good decision of starting the Kanoni Bible study College for equipping men and women with the word of God.

During his three-day visit to North Ankole Diocese, Dr Kazimba paid courtesy calls to Buremba Secondary School, North Ankole Technical institute in Buremba Archdeaconry, Buremba Town council, Kazo Archdeaconry and Kanoni Bible College all in Kazo district.

While at Buremba Archdeaconry, Rev John Kurumwine expressed his satisfaction with the Archbishop noting that his visit will improve on the developments of their church.

Rev John Kurumwine, addressing the congregation during the Archbishop’s visit to Buremba Archdeaconry on Saturday.

In his welcoming remarks, the Bishop of North Ankole diocese, Rt Rev Stephen Namanya also appreciated the Archbishop for not supporting homosexuality in Uganda especially in the Church.

Members of Parliament, Kazo district, Hon Dan Kimosho (forward) and Hon Jennifer Muheesi(in White coat)during the Archbishop’s visit to Kazo on Saturday.

The Archbishop’s visit in Kazo was graced by the political leaders led by the Members of Parliament, Kazo district, Hon Dan Kimosho and Hon Jennifer Muheesi, the Kazo district chairperson, Rev Samuel Mugisha Katugunda and technical staff of Kazo district led by the Chief Administrative Officer, Nsubuga Zirimenya and several religious leaders among others.