Over 1,000 homesteads in Karugangama cell, Katete in Mbarara city south division, Mbarara city have started a financial campaign to generate UGX 5 million towards the construction of a temporary bridge at Kanyeite Foot Bridge. 

Kanyeite Bridge, constructed during the leadership of former Mbarara municipality mayor, Wilson Tumwine, has for years assisted in transporting goods and services to Mbarara City center markets and helping learners to access schools.

According to the locals, the bridge has recently become a death trap, after it was swept away by floods, leaving it in a sorry State.

In a community meeting of Karugangama cell chaired by the vice chairperson, Matovu Hawa Nantale, the residents resolved that the bridge should be reinstated with reasonable materials.

The community meeting resolved that every homestead contributes UGX 5,000= (five thousand shillings) only to assist in purchasing metallic bars to ensure safety of the bridge users since the government has kept deaf ear about this public outcry.

Nantale requested the members that the money for these households be paid by 22^nd October, 2023.

Kanyeite Bridge serves as the nearest short cut to Mbarara city center connecting Nyakaizi- Kakoba to Karugangama- Katete via River Rwizi.

Police in Mbarara city have arrested six people for allegedly encroaching on wetlands.

The suspects were arrested from Kiyanja cell in Mbarara city north division during an operation mounted by a combined team from the office of the Resident city commissioner, environmental police, and the division natural resources office.

The suspects had cleared, burnt grass in the wetlands and planted beans in the children’s park in Kiyanja, while others had erected illegal buildings in Kiyanja cell.

Joseph Asasira, the Mbarara city north division environment officer, said his office was compelled to conduct the operation following the continuous destruction of wetlands.

The Mbarara city north division deputy RCC, Robert Kanusu vowed to arrest everyone found destroying wetlands.

He added that the operations will stretch to the entire division.

The president’s representative also gave a one-month ultimatum to locals operating businesses without places of convenience in the area to immediately vacate or else face arrest.

Kanusu urged residents to respect laws governing wetlands.

Residents of Bushenyi Ishaka Municipality have advised the government on ways to fight against the food crisis.

The remarks were made as Uganda joined the rest of the world to mark the global world food day that was celebrated on Monday, October 16^th under the theme “Water is life, water is food“

Speaking to our reporter in an exclusive interview, Nathan Byaruhanga, the chairman of Bushenyi central market vendors said that in order to fight against the food crisis, the government should revise the land policy so that all unutilized land is used for agricultural purposes.

Byaruhanga also called upon the government to establish irrigation schemes across the region to ensure continuity of farming, hence increasing food production.

Jennifer Kekimuri, a resident of St Kaggwa, in Bushenyi Ishaka municipality noted that most farmers grow both food and cash crops, but they sell them all prematurely to meet their demands like school fees and medical bills.

Kekimuri added that people don’t have granaries as they used to be in past because they don’t have what to  store since all their agricultural products are sold to middle men at early stage to meet the high standards of living.

Julius Byamukama, the Bushenyi Ishaka municipality health inspector revealed as part of the efforts to ensure food safety, that they have launched a campaign to fight against the habit of covering food with polythene (kaveera) across restaurants and hotels.

Byamukama noted that they are going to do a spot check on all restaurants and hotels and whoever is found covering food with kaveera or not meeting food safety and health standards his or her license will be terminated.

Byamukama added that the practice is on the increase based on reports from the field and this puts the lives of people at risk of getting cancer.

The inspector said that they will not pass any warnings but will arrest any promoter of kaveera for the purpose of saving lives and the environment.

Police in Bushenyi are investigating circumstances under which a 23-year-old man assaulted a 96-year-old woman to death.

Martial Tumusiime, the greater Bushenyi region police spokesperson identified the deceased as Anyesi Tirerebwa, a resident of Kayojo cell, Ruharo ward, central division, Bushenyi Ishaka municipality.

Tumusiime further identified the suspect as Richard Byaruhanga, a casual worker, resident of the same area and grandson to the deceased.

According to Innocent Tumwebaze, the LC 1 chairperson of Kayojo village who reported the case to police, the suspect had come to the family of the deceased at around 7am for prayers claiming he was suffering from a headache. 

At around 4pm he came back and forcefully broke the door, entered and attacked the deceased from her bed saying she should pray for him, he pushed her, she hit her head on the floor and died.

After committing the crime, the suspect ran away and went into hiding.

Police say that the body was taken to KIU Hospital Ishaka for postmortem examination and the hunt for the suspect continues.

The Bishop of Kigezi Diocese, Rt. Rev. Gad Akanjuna, has urged learners to incorporate Christian values and virtues into their lives if they wish to excel in both their academics and life.

Bishop Akanjuna made this call during the dedication service for Primary seven, senior four and six candidates of Kamuganguzi Primary School and Janan Luwum Memorial School at St. John’s Kamuganguzi COU Archdeaconry in Kamuganguzi Sub-county, Kabale District.

The Bishop advised learners that without strategically setting their life goals and visions, their future would present challenges, emphasizing the importance of building a strong foundation for their success.

Relatedly, in North West Ankole Diocese, Bishop Rt Rev Amos Magezi urged students of candidate classes (S.4 and S.6) to avoid engaging themselves in immoral and satanic behavior that may lead them to fail their forthcoming exams.

Speaking during the S.4 and S.6 candidates’ dedication service at Bigyera Secondary school in Ibanda Municipality, Bishop Magezi said that some students are addicted to drugs which may ruin their lives thus asking them to concentrate on books in these remaining few days.

The Mbarara Resident City Commissioner, Rtd Col. James Mwesigye has constituted a four-member committee to investigate the operations of vendors SACCO, which has remained inactive since 2014 yet members have never received any audit report of the SACCO.

According to Mwesigye, the committee will in one week’s time, investigate how the former leadership of the SACCO utilized UGX 60million allocated to the SACCO in 2011 by President Yoweri Museveni as a startup capital and other grants totaling at least UGX 50million which they received from other leaders.

The RCC’s ultimatum comes barely a week after vendors stormed his office, accusing the former leaders of the SACCO for sidelining with the City Principal commercial officer, Allan Buhanda to hold elections without availing them of audit reports which made them doubt the operations of the SACCO.

In response to the accusations levied against him, the former chairperson of the SACCO, Muhammad Nyombi, denied involvement in any funds mishandling. He insisted that the SACCO didn’t receive Emyooga funds as some vendors allege and that as the former leadership of the SACCO they are ready to be audited.

The SACCO in question was registered in 2010 and is known as Mbarara Central Market Vendors Savings and Cooperatives Organization Limited.

Police in Sheema district have arrested seven students of Nganwa high school in Kabwohe on allegations of inciting violence and affray.

Martial Tumusiime, the greater Bushenyi region Police spokesperson identified the suspects as prosper Nuwasharamu,18, Roden Andinda,18, Owen Nganzi,18, Timothy Kato,18, Allan Akandwanaho 19, Saul Nuwasiima,17, and Samuel Matama  all in Senior four (S.4)class.

Tumusiime further identified the victim as Ben Aruho,19, in S.4 and a one Mustafa in S.5 all students of the same school.

It’s alleged that on Monday at around 10:00pm, the suspects started fighting amongst themselves as result of the school culture where at the end of every year, S.4 students must be beaten by the rest of the school to bid farewell to them.

However, this time, the S.4 students could not wait to be beaten, instead a section of them went out and got drunk and come and attacked other classes.

Tumusiime said after getting the information police proceeded to the scene of crime and cooled down the situation.

Police in Buhweju district are investigating circumstances under which a 40-year-old man was murdered in a cold blood.

Martial Tumusiime, the greater Bushenyi region police spokesperson confirmed the incident and identified the deceased as Mwijuka Innocent, a resident of Katobero village, Kasharara Parish, Karungu Sub-County  in Buhweju District.

Tumusiime also identified the suspects as Mutahinga Irariyo, a peasant and resident of the same address and his three grandsons, Mpirirwe John, a boda boda rider, Bamusiime Ronald, a peasant and another whose name is yet to be established.

It’s alleged that on Saturday, while at Kasharara village, the deceased (Mwijuka Innocent) was in his garden in the land he bought from the son of the Suspect (Mutahinga Irariyo) which the two have been battling over in Court, with each claiming ownership.

The suspect (Mutahinga Irariyo) together with his three grandsons, armed with pangas and sticks, attacked the deceased, he tried to run but the suspects caught him at about 200 metres from his garden and carried him to a nearby valley, from where they assaulted and cut him to death.

Police were informed and rushed to the scene and the body was retrieved taken to Nsiika health center IV for postmortem examination.

One suspect (Mutahinga Irariyo) has since been arrested to assist the police with investigations.

The Uganda National Teachers Union (UNATU) leaders in Sheema District have expressed concerns about the increasing deaths amongst teachers in the District. 

This was revealed yesterday at a function to celebrate World teacher’s day for Sheema district held at Bugongi Town council headquarters in Sheema District. 

According to UNATU’s statistics, Uganda loses over 400 teachers every year, while as of 30^th September this year, Sheema district alone has lost 6 teachers.

Mujurizi Charles, the UNATU chairperson Sheema District attributed increased deaths to stress that is caused by multiple loans that teachers take to supplement their income. Mujurizi appealed to the government to increase teachers’ salaries. 

Rosemary Nyakikongoro, the Woman MP Sheema District speaking during World Teachers Day celebrations in Sheema.

Rosemary Nyakikongoro, the Sheema District woman Member of Parliament who presided over the function advised teachers not to translate their challenges into more challenges but instead use them to adopt through survival skills.

Meanwhile Prikeria Muhindo, the Sheema District Resident District Commissioner asked teachers to join Government poverty alleviation programs like Parish Development Model and Emyooga as this will help them get out of poverty. 

This year’s teacher’s day was celebrated under the theme “The teachers we need for the education we want: The global imperative to reverse the teacher shortage.”