A memorandum of understanding granting Ethiopia access to one of the sea ports of the self-declared republic of Somaliland has drawn criticism in Somalia.

Prominent Somali political figures opposed to the deal signed on Monday say it threatens the stability of the Horn of Africa region and are urging Somalia’s government to intervene.

“The agreement signed by Ethiopia with Somaliland is a serious concern for Somalia and the whole of Africa. Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity is the anchor for regional stability and bilateral cooperation,” Somalia’s former President Abdullahi Mohamed Farmaajo shared on X.

Somalia’s former Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Abdi Aynte has called on Somalia to “act proportionally and swiftly”, terming the deal “an extremely provocative step” by Ethiopia that “has inevitably thrown the entire Horn of Africa region into a political crisis of epic proportions”.

Somaliland seceded from Somalia in 1991 but is not recognised internationally as an independent state, including by the UN and African Union.

Somalia, which considers Somaliland a part of its territory, is expected to give a response after an emergency cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

Police in Rwampara District is investigating circumstances under which a 51-year old woman was murdered. The deceased has been identified as Kinkukuhaire Clemensia, a resident of Ruzinga cell,Rwebogo ward Kibingo Town Council Rwampara District.

It’s alleged that on the evening of 29/12/2023, the deceased went to Rushanje trading centre to look for her two sons; Bahikire Francis and Twiine,who she later told to go back home and proceeded to the drinking place with the sister Kyohairwe Immaculate in the same trading centre, but the two parted ways at 10pm

Samson Kasasira, the Rwizi Region Police Spokesperson says the body of the deceased was later found lying in a pool of blood in her banana plantation besides a pathway a short distance from her home with a cut on her the head on the 30/12/2023.

According to preliminary investigations the deceased has been have having a long standing land issue with her brother Atuhaire Bazilio, who was released from prison in August this year, after being incarcerated for six months over the dispute. It’s alleged that after his release, he started threatening now the deceased with murder.

Bazilio has now been arrested to help police in investigations. Kasasira is appealing to the public to use the police and authorities to resolves disputes whenever they arise, to avert such crimes before they happen.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Diana Atwiine on Saturday commissioned four upgraded Health Centre 111s in worth over Ugx5billion Kazo district, including Nshunga Health centre 111 on which court placed an injunction.

On 29th November 2023, the High Court in Mbarara issued an injunction restraining Nkungu Sub-county from carrying out any activities and developments at Nshunga Health Centre 111. It follows a court application in which Mr Byakatonda Yonasani demanded payment of Ugx48million for 3 acres of land he sold to the sub-counties, on which the facility sits.

Court injunction issued by the High Court in Mbarara

While the payment was supposed to be met in June 2021, Byakatonda says he has not received any payment since, prompting his to seek court redress. While launching the facilities, Dr Diana appealed to the district authorities to find ways of offsetting Byakatonda’s payment amicably, noting that his decision to give government land before payment was heroic.

Other health centre 111 upgraded and commissioned are; Kanoni health centre 111, Engari health centre 111 and  Nkungu health Centre 111. Meanwhile, Kyengando health centre 111 could not be commissioned, because the contractor had not met all the contractual obligations.

Bulle Easter, the acting Kazo district health officer expressed concern over drug stock outs, especially malarial drugs, noting that the district has a high malaria prevalence.

An unemployed youth from Bihanga I in Nyamarebe sub-county, Ibanda North Constituency, has been pinned for reportedly stealing assorted salon equipment and other items, including mobile devices.

Ishongororo Grade One magistrate’s court heard that Michael Kajungu allegedly broke into Edwin Nuwabasa’s salon on November 26 and stole the items worth over sh2 million.

Nuwabasa, the owner of the salon, told the court that the suspect and two other people still at large were seen and identified by neighbours while they were escaping the crime scene with the loot.

Nuwabasa told the court that he lost various items during the theft, including a woofer worth sh240,000, two shaving machines valued at sh400,000, two smart phones and one small itel mobile device. Others were an extension cable worth at sh30,000, four telephone chargers as well as a 3GB flash and a pair of shoes and a flask. The thieves also damaged a 22-inch flat screen TV valued at sh240,000.

The court presided over by Fred Mutabazi was told that when a Police dog was introduced at the crime scene, it led the investigating officers to the suspect’s bedroom at his father’s home.

A hammer suspected to have been used in theft was recovered hidden under Kajungu’s bed, said complainant while testifying in the case.

The suspect, who was not at home during the search, was later arrested in Kijungu trading centre and taken to Ishongororo Police station where he was charged accordingly, he added.

Theft contravenes section 254(i) and 261 of the Penal Code Act and carries 10 years in jail on conviction.

His worship Mutabazi adjourned the case to December 20 for further hearing of the prosecution witnesses.