Rural Health Promotion and Poverty Alleviation Initiative (RUHEPAI) has today awarded a total of 103 teenage girls with certificates in hairdressing and knitting after they completed three month training.

Presiding over the function of awarding certificates, Samuel Twinomugisha, the town clerk Kaberebere town council in Isingiro district asked the teenage girls to avoid engaging in sexual-related activities that may expose them to HIV/AIDS and as well as early pregnancy.  

Speaking during the same function, Fredica Baguma, the Executive Director RUHEPAI project asked the adolescent girls who were awarded with certificates under teens guide project to use the skills acquired for sustainability of their future.

A section of beneficiaries who talked to our reporter revealed that they are going to use the knowledge and skills imparted to them by RUHEPAI into economic value that will create economic empowerment.

This year, RUHEPAI started a strategy of offering hands-on skills to empower adolescent girls who were affected by Covid-19 pandemic.

Moses Ariho, the Deputy Resident City Commissioner(RCC) Mbarara City South has ordered for the arrest of Melina Kekijusyo, the Mbarara City Engineer over failure to monitor the construction of a three-classroom block at Bugaashe 1 primary school in Nyakayojo , Mbarara city south Division.

On Tuesday, the Deputy Mbarara City RCC led a team of Mbarara city leaders to go for the commissioning ceremony, however, he refused to commission the three-classroom block at Bugaashe 1 Primary School over shoddy work.

The three-classroom block worth over UGX 96 million at Bugashe I Primary School in Nyakayojo Ward, Mbarara City South Division was constructed by Sango Bay Technical Engineering Company Limited. 

Ariho says the windows were not the ones agreed in the Bills of Quantities and the floor which had developed cracks was poorly renovated.

Ariho added that they have summoned the contractor to explain the substandard work and why he abandoned the site.

Robert Mugabe Kakyebezi, the Mbarara City Mayor faulted the technical staff for failing to supervise the contractor.

Kakyebezi says the contractor abandoned work and escaped four months ago after they asked him to replace the windows and work on the floor that had developed cracks.

Emmanuel Begumisa, an Engineer with Sango Bay Technical Engineering Company Limited denies claims that they disappeared from the site, saying that they ran short of funds and are pursuing a loan to complete the work.

Begumisa argues that since they are paid in phases, the work on the ground is commensurate to the money they received from the city.

Rushenyi county leaders have expressed disappointment over failure of the Ntungamo district leadership to turn up for the commissioning of the newly renovated General ward at Rubaare Health Centre IV.

The local leaders accused the district leadership of playing politics which have delayed the people from getting services.

While the leaders including all district councilors, sub-county chairperson, sub-county chiefs and other opinion leaders turned up for the commissioning of the renovated ward on Monday, the district leadership failed to turn up saying they had no time and wanted the function postponed.

Naome Kabasharira, the Rushenyi county MP said this was absurd and intended to hurt the citizens who use the facility.

Kabasharira however gave orders that the facility should be opened peacefully or else force be applied to open it.

Dr Osbert Taratwebirwe, the health center in-charge said the in-patient levels have increased over the past one year from 20 monthly to about 112 averagely after key renovations at the health centre and staff commitment.

Taratwebirwe noted that the new ward can accommodate at least 16 male and female patients at once and this will be a relief for increasing numbers of patients at the health centre.

Police in Kabale District have in custody a 23 year old man who reported himself to the Police after the alleged murder of his friend.

The deceased has been identified as Orishaba Derrick, a resident of Nkombe cell, Katookye Parish in Kyanamira Sub-county, Kabale district while the suspect who handed himself over to police was identified as Niwagaba Elvis, a resident of Rugarama II Cell in Katookye Parish, Kyanamira Sub-county in Kabale district.

Elly Maate, the Kigezi Region Police Spokesman said that the incident took place at Rugarama II cell, in Kabale Municipality when the two were playing pool table at a bar near K-mega Petrol station after which they got a misunderstanding which made them move out and started fighting.

It is reported that the security guard at K-mega Petrol station chased them and each took his way. However, while the suspect (Niwagaba) was sleeping at his place, the deceased and two others attacked him while armed with an Axe. 

The other two ran away leaving the deceased alone with the suspect who used the same axe to hack him causing deep cut injuries on the chest, forehead and fingers.

After the incident, the suspect reported himself to Kabale Central Police Station saying that he assaulted Orishaba in self defence and led the officers to the scene where they found the victim dead.

Maate said that the body was retrieved and conveyed to Kabale Regional Referral Hospital Mortuary for postmortem examination and investigations into the matter continue.

Court in Ibanda has sent on remand a Kamwenge based taxi driver for causing the death of another road user through reckless driving.

Charles Atuhura, 28, a resident of Kamwenge town council, faces three charges before the Ibanda chief magistrate’s court including; reckless driving, causing bodily harm by reckless driving, and causing death through reckless driving.

Court presided over by Aloysius Natwijuka, the Ibanda chief magistrate heard today on October 19^th that on February 2^nd, Atuhura knocked motorcycle REG No. UFA 371M at the Kirumiriri corner along the Ibanda-Mbarara road while driving a white Toyota Wish car REG No. UBJ 376Y.

The motorcycle rider, Allan Tumusiime, and his passenger Derrick Arinaitwe, sustained severe injuries and were rushed to Uganda Martyrs Hospital, Kagongo.

However, Tumusiime succumbed to his injuries hours later.

According to the charge sheet, Atuhura was transporting passengers and ‘mairungi’ to Mbarara. He never stopped at the scene of the accident and only parked the vehicle several kilometres away at Igorora Police post in Ibanda South.

While appearing before court, the suspect who had expressed willingness to plead guilty to the charges, changed his mind when the offences were read to him again.

The magistrate subsequently remanded him to Nyabuhikye Prison until November 2^nd when hearing of the cases against him begins.

Parents with children in candidate classes in Kiruhura district have been implored to support their children with all the necessities needed at school during the season of doing UNEB Examinations for them to feel comfortable during exams.

Speaking to Kazo FM, Banabas Bakekira, the director of Rushere Christian high school and Mount Olives primary school said that candidates lacking the needed necessities at school and being chased from school due to the poor payment of school fees disturbs and stresses children’s minds which can lead them to failure.

Bakekira urged teachers and head teachers as well as parents should handle S4 candidates well who are now doing their UCE for a better performance.

Bakekira noted that materials for science that were donated to schools in Nyabushozi county by  Hon. Wilson Kajwengye, the MP Nyabushozi  constituency have helped much in science studies and practicals.

By Mutatiina Medison.

Police in Bushenyi district have arrested three people in connection with the alleged vandalism of water installations that has left over 50 water meters stolen in less than one month.

The suspects have been identified as Ronald Musimenta, 16, Steven Ainemukama, 21, both residents of Katungu-Ishaka, and Tibamuzigu Yasin, a resident of Kitagata-Sheema, while others are on the run.

The trio, who are scrap dealers, were arrested from Ishaka town council during an operation that led to the recovery of the exhibits.

Boaz Atuhaire, the security officer NWSC Bushenyi branch said that upon a thorough search in their stores they recovered 4 new meters and 16 damaged water meters. 

Sam Kigundu, the greater Bushenyi regional manager National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC), said that over 100 meters had been vandalised in less than a year.