Residents of Ekitookye central cell, central division of Bushenyi Ishaka municipality have teamed up to work on the roads in their area which they say have become impassable.

Speaking to our reporter, residents said that they are fed up with being told by their local leaders that the government does not give them enough funds to repair or construct the roads. 

Some of the residents said that they resolved to intervene after rains destroyed the road, making it impossible for people and vehicles to move despite their area being in the nose of the town.  

Milton Mwebembezi, the LC1 chairperson Central cell said for so long, residents in the area have complained of poor roads, garbage and lack of street lights which has resulted in increased crime in the area as thieves waylay residents in dark areas and take away their belongings. 

The National Drug Authority has called upon the general public to always report any side effects of the medicine taken, to the relevant authority for further management.

This call was sounded by the NDA public relations officer, Abiaz Rwamwiri while representing the NDA board chairperson Dr Medard Bitekyerezo at a ceremony to award the pharmacovigilance certificate of appreciation to Bwizibwera health center IV in Kashari south, Mbarara district.

Abiaz Rwamwiri, the NDA public relations officer presenting the pharmacovigilance certificate of appreciation to Bwizibwera health center IV.

Rwamwiri noted that once the NDA detects a medicine that has a negative effect on the people the authority has the right to withdraw that drug from the market.

Dr Richard Atuhaire, the in-charge Bwizibwera health center IV noted that they received this certificate for reporting the side effects of the drugs, making it the best in the whole county in pharmacovigilance.

Dr Francis Oriokot, the deputy director Mbarara regional referral hospital appreciated Bwizibwera health center for increasing the participation of community members in health encouraging them to keep the candle burning.

Pharmacovigilance is the science and the activities related to the detection, assessment, understanding, and prevention of adverse effects or any other medicine or vaccine-related problem.

Islamic county sheik Kazo district, Sheya Muhamad Ssali has advised Muslims to continue with behaviour they had during the holy month of Ramadan.

Speaking with our reporter in an exclusive interview, Sheikh Ssali delivered this message for Muslims as they begin Eid al Fitr festivities across the world.

Relatedly, at Kazo mosque in Kazo town council, Kazo district, Muslims who gathered to pray were joined by Rev Samuel Mugisha Katugunda, the LC V chairman Kazo district who asked them to engage themselves in doing developmental activities like supporting their schools and other government programmes.

Muslims at Kazo mosque for Eid al Fitr Prayers

However, Issa Makumbi, a member of the general assembly of Muslim council, also district councillor representing Kazo town council noted that they have not celebrated this day as other days because of Foot and mouth disease in the district saying that they are going to miss out on eating meat.

Meanwhile, a section of Muslims who spoke to our reporter were joyful as they appreciated Allah for enabling them reach this day that marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

By Lauben Bafaki

The Kazo district foot and mouth disease task force has suspended the movement of livestock and livestock products from the neighbouring Kiruhura district which has several cases of the disease.

During an engagement meeting with livestock traders, butcher men and transporters held at the district council hall on Wednesday, a number of resolutions were reached which include; putting up checkpoints across all borders between Kiruhura and Kazo districts to ensure no movement of livestock and livestock products.

In his report, Dr Kiyemba Ronald, the district veterinary officer noted that the disease is now within two families in Kyabahura and Kakoni ward, Buremba town council.

Dr Kiyemba urged everyone to be vigilant, cooperative and prevent the foot and mouth disease that is ravaging most parts of Kiruhura district.

Livestock traders, butcher men and transporters during an engagement meeting with district leadership at the district council hall on Wednesday.

Ham Rubainika, the district councilor representing Kyampagara Sub-county also the Kazo district secretary for production appealed to traders to utilize the one week given in fighting the disease across the borders in order to re-open farm loading.

Al-Hajji Mawiya Lule, the Kazo resident district commissioner and also chairperson foot and mouth disease taskforce requested livestock traders to be patient and do what is needed in order to open animal loading.

Rev Samuel Mugisha Katungunda, Kazo district LC V chairperson revealed that no one will be allowed to bring milk from Kiruhura saying that they will also not allow any intimidation in fighting foot and mouth disease.

A select committee of members chaired by Kananura David was established to ensure the enforcement of the resolutions.

Meanwhile, livestock traders including the tenderers of the markets vowed to ensure full implementation of the resolutions to control the spread of the disease in the district and eradicating the one in Buremba town council.

Ibanda Grade One magistrate’s court has charged Peter Amutuhaire for conning two retired teachers of UGX 600,000.

It is said that the 28-year-old resident of Bufunda Division in Ibanda Municipality pretended to be an employee of Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) and conned Gratian Muhumuza and Hilda Ayebazibwe of Rwampanga cell in Kagongo Division of UGX 300,000 each as connection fees in January this year.  

The Ibanda magistrates’ court heard that the suspect disappeared with their cash until he was arrested by police recently and charged accordingly.

While testifying as a prosecution witness, Prikanda Kenkyende, the LCI chairperson of Rwampanga cell, said the suspect gave to his victims receipts bearing the UEDCL logo.

She told court presided over by her Worship Esther Murungi that Amutuhaire had claimed to be from UEDCL Kazo district branch.

She added that he had promised to return and connect their houses to power in two days, but he never returned. They became suspicious and reported the matter to the police.

The witness added the accused was smartly dressed and targeted the rich residents who could raise the money readily.

Amutuhaire is facing two counts of obtaining goods by false pretense, a crime that contravenes section 305 of the Penal Code Act.  

He was further remanded to Nyabuhikye Prison and hearing of the case continues on May 10. 

Authorities in Rubindi-Ruhumba town council in Kashari north, Mbarara district have announced their decision to renounce some staff due to lack of funds to pay them.

Francis karugaba, the mayor Rubindi-Ruhumba town council noted that since September last year they have never received money from central government that was collected from local revenue under the Integrated Revenue Administration System (IRAS).

This system was introduced by government in July 2022 as the new system of collecting taxes in all districts.

Karugaba revealed that they have decided to put the enforcement officers and casual laborers on leave until they get money from the government.

Karugaba also called upon government to come to their rescue because if the situation does not change, they are likely to close the offices due to lack of funds to operate the town council.

Relatedly, the operation of Bukiiro Sub-county in Mbarara district is hanging in balance after the ministry of finance failed to provide a budget allocation for the new administrative unit.

Innocent Baguma, the Chairperson LC III Bukiiro Sub-county said that the sub-county operates without a budget which is difficult to function.

He questioned why the government has failed to operationalize the administrative unit, yet they went ahead and conducted elections.

Bukiiro Sub-county was curved out of Bukiiro Town Council and is one of the 364 sub counties which the government approved and created in 2021.

Teachers in Sheema district have been warned against rushing to get loans with high interest.

Speaking during the induction meeting of teachers on Tuesday, Denis Turwomwe, the UNATU chairman South western region, advised teachers to start savings schemes in their schools in order to develop themselves and get out of poverty.

Turwomwe added that loans with high interest will only make them poor.

During the same meeting, the Sheema district inspector of Schools Ssempa Muzafaru expressed concern over increased early retirement and absconding of duties by teachers in the district.

Ssempa noted that there has been an increase in teachers’ early retirement as well as continuity to absent themselves from duty which has contributed to poor performance of students in Exams.

The induction of all teachers in the district was organized by Uganda national teachers union (UNATU) and held at Crinka gardens in Kabwohe.