Police in Bushenyi district have initiated an investigation into the death of a 40-year-old woman, identified as Kembabazi Jenifer, whose body was discovered in a forest in the Ruhumuro sub-county on February 17, 2025.

According to police spokesperson Martial Tumusiime, the incident occurred at an unknown time in Ekikorijo village, Nyeibingo parish, Ruhumuro sub-county. Tumusiime confirmed that four children had gone to collect firewood from Bakyindaho Solomon’s eucalyptus forest when they stumbled upon the lifeless body of a female adult.

It is alleged that Kembabazi had left her home in Nyakatete village on February 16, 2025 telling her husband, Kasasira Yonoka that she was heading to her parents’ home in Kayanga to check on her crops. Kasasira who reported to police that his wife was missing was later informed that her lifeless body had been discovered in the eucalyptus forest.

Preliminary investigations by the police suggest that the deceased had a weaving needle and a knife found near her body which may have been used in the assault. Scene of crime officers also discovered semen droplets on the deceased’s thighs indicating that she may have been raped. A sniffer dog was introduced to the scene, but it lost the scent after traveling a distance of one kilometer.

“The body was taken to Kyabugimbi Health Centre IV for post-mortem and our investigations are ongoing,” said Tumusiime. “We appeal to anyone with information regarding the incident to come forward and assist us in bringing justice to the family of the deceased.”

People of Ntuura, Nsiika and Bwengure parishes in Kagongi Subcounty Mbarara district have been rendered homeless. This follows a devastating hailstorm that wreaked havoc in Kagongi Sub County leaving behind a trail of destruction.

Over 362 households have been rendered homeless, critical infrastructure and gardens have been severely damaged.

The affected structures include Bwengure Health Center II where a portion of the building was struck by a falling tree, Ntuura Parish headquarters, Ntuura Christian School, and Nsiika Christian Union Vision Primary School.

The extent of the damage was assessed during a monitoring and inspection program led by Member of Parliament for Kashari North, Basil Bataringaya Rwankwene. The program was initiated in response to urgent pleas from the affected communities.

During his visit, Hon. Bataringaya assured the affected families and institutions that a comprehensive report compiled by village and sub-county leaders will be promptly delivered to the Office of the Prime Minister for urgent action.

Hon. Bataringaya emphasized the immediate needs of the affected population, including food relief, quick-maturing bean and maize seeds for planting. He also requested the Office of the Prime Minister to provide building materials such as cement and iron sheets along with essential beddings like blankets and bed sheets to assist families whose homes were destroyed.

The LCIII Chairperson for Kagongi Sub County, Evarist Twine, highlighted the need for government support for private schools specifically Ntuura Christian School and Nsiika Christian Union Vision Primary School to supplement their efforts in educating Ugandan children.

The Chairperson of LCIII Ntuura Parish, Gumisiriza Kamiiri, expressed gratitude for the swift response from Hon. Bataringaya who offered comfort and advised residents planning to construct houses to consult with qualified technical professionals. The community hopes for a swift and effective response from the government to address the widespread devastation caused by the hailstorm.

Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality authorities have launched an investigation into the increasing number of school-aged children engaging in street hawking. Deputy Mayor Milton Betunguura has expressed concern over the situation noting that children aged 8-12 years particularly boys are collecting scraps and hawking food items, which violates the child labor act.

Speaking to reporters, Betunguura highlighted the need to understand why these children are not in school, despite government programs like Universal Primary Education designed to support vulnerable families’ access to education. He expressed disappointment that children in the education-focused municipality are on the streets performing domestic-related work.

Betunguura urged parents especially those whose children are not enrolled in school, to ensure their children’s return to the classroom warning of potential arrests for child negligence.

Ibanda District coffee farmers are celebrating record prices this week with both Arabica and Robusta beans fetching unprecedented rates. Arabica coffee is currently trading at sh18,500 per kilogramme up from sh14,500 just three weeks ago. Robusta coffee prices have also increased reaching sh15,000 per kilo.

Deogratias Tihwayo of Nyakatookye Coffee Farmers Cooperative attributes the surge to high-quality beans and strong demand. He anticipates further price increases in the coming weeks.

Global supply uncertainties, stemming from challenging weather conditions in major coffee-producing countries like Brazil, Vietnam, and Colombia, are contributing to the favorable market conditions for Ibanda farmers.

Police in Kazo district have arrested Naboth Mugabe alias Young, one of the prime suspects in the murder of Rev. Mishach Kahembera who was a resident of Meru Meru Village, Kataraza Parish in Nkungu Sub County. Mugabe has been in hiding following the incident that claimed his father’s life on February 5.

Mugabe was nabbed by Crime Intelligence Police while in Katete, Mbarara City where he and his brother Amos Nuwabiine, another prime suspect in the murder of their father Kahembera have been renting. Nuwabiine is still at large after escaping before arrest this afternoon.

The Rwizi Police Region Spokesperson, Samson Kasasira confirmed the arrest and further revealed that investigations into this matter are ongoing.

Kahembera, 64, was a dedicated servant of the church, overseeing the United Pentecostal Churches activities in Kazo district and other parts of the country. He had been grappling with severe domestic issues particularly following the tragic death of his wife, Rosset Tushabe in June last year.

This incident resulted into the arrest of Mary Busingye, her son Arthur Agaba together with the two prime suspects in the murder of Kahembera.

The Chairperson for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Ntungamo district, Amiidu Rukundo, has called on PWDs and the elderly to take a leading role in fighting poverty to improve their livelihoods and achieve self-sufficiency.

Rukundo made the appeal during the handover of special grants at the Ntungamo District headquarters. The grants which total to UGX 72 million were allocated to 17 groups of PWDs and elderly individuals to support their small business ventures and family sustenance.

According to Rukundo, the grants provide a critical lifeline to many vulnerable individuals enabling them to start income-generating activities and improve their living standards.

A total of five groups of elderly persons received UGX 20 million under the Special Enterprise Grant for Older Persons (SEGOP). Additionally, 12 groups of PWDs were allocated UGX 52 million under the National Special Grant scheme.

Notable government officials and councillors lauded the government’s commitment to prioritizing the needs of PWDs and the elderly. Patrick Rwakabale, the Male District Councillor for Persons with Disabilities commended the district Chairperson, Samuel Mucunguzi Rwakigooba for his leadership in promoting the welfare of PWDs.

Other officials, including Deborah Kobusingye, the female councillor for PWDs in Ntungamo and Ambrose Tusiime the Ntungamo District Community Development Officer echoed the importance of initiatives aimed at addressing the financial needs of PWDs and the elderly.

The government’s financial support is part of broader efforts to promote social inclusion, economic empowerment and a self-reliant and resilient society. Shallon Birungi, the Principal Assistant Secretary representing the Chief Administrative Officer emphasized the need for individuals to embrace change in their own lives for meaningful community transformation to occur.

Residents of Mashonga in Kyamuhunga subcounty Bushenyi district are living in fear due to a surge in theft including livestock and crops. Nuwe Sula Katura, the area LC3 councillor, reported that theft of goats and bananas occur daily despite ongoing village night patrols.

Katura urged residents to remain vigilant and keep guard over their animals expressing concern that this issue discourages local involvement in poverty alleviation efforts. He suggested that one factor contributing to the theft is the police practice of granting bond to criminals shortly after their arrest.

In response, William Katsigazi, Deputy Resident District Commissioner for Bushenyi confirmed that his office receives approximately five complaints per day from residents seeking security meetings on the escalating theft issue. He called for the restoration of village night patrols by local councils to help curb and apprehend criminals before the situation worsens.

The Bushenyi Ishaka municipality mayor, Richard Byaruhanga has taken a bold step to address the issue of schools in the area consistently failing to score grade ones in national exams. During the official release of the 2024 PLE results at Tuzza Hotel in Bushenyi town, Byaruhanga directed the education department to institute a committee to investigate these poorly performing schools.

According to Byaruhanga, there are seven schools that have consistently failed to score grade ones in the annual national exams. The mayor believes that establishing the reasons behind this trend is crucial in addressing the issue at its root. Byaruhanga emphasized the need for leaders to take a closer look into the matter and find solutions to ensure that all schools in the area are given an equal chance to excel.

Meanwhile, Silverio Byarufu Mukobi, the town clerk of Bushenyi Ishaka municipality, attributed the outstanding performance of the schools in the area to supportive parents and foundation bodies. He urged parents to prioritize providing lunch for their children at school citing that it was a crucial factor in achieving remarkable success.

Dan Mugyenyi, the education officer of Bushenyi Ishaka municipality, announced that the area led the country with a remarkable 99.3% success rate. The municipality had 814 candidates who scored Division I, 662 in Division II, 54 in Division III, and 21 in Division IV out of a total of 1561 candidates.

The three top-performing schools in the area, Kyeitembe primary, Ishaka Junior and Parental Care Primary School were awarded certificates for their outstanding performance.

Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital has come out to refute the circulating social media concerns about the outbreak of Ebola at the health facility. This follows the admission of two suspected cases, which raised alarm in the community. A 15-year-old boy and a 19-year-old girl were hospitalized over the weekend displaying symptoms like bloody diarrhea, fever and headaches. Tragically, the boy passed away before test results ruled out Ebola amplifying public anxiety.

Dr. Deus Twesigye, the acting hospital director, addressed the community’s concerns stating that there are currently no confirmed cases of Ebola at the facility. He emphasized the importance of vigilance, urging the public not to become complacent.

Despite recent concerns, the hospital is also battling an ongoing Mpox outbreak with 18 active cases still under treatment. Authorities have reported a total of 88 registered Mpox cases, highlighting the urgent need for public awareness and adherence to health guidelines.

While an Ebola vaccine is available in Uganda, Dr. Twesigye revealed that Mbarara has not yet initiated vaccination efforts. This has intensified calls for increased public health measures as officials urge residents to remain cautious in the face of both Mpox and the potential for Ebola outbreak.

Health authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and stress the need for the public to follow safety protocols to prevent further spread of both diseases.

Kazo district leadership convened a significant workshop today at St. John’s C.O.U, bringing together headteachers from government primary schools to discuss educational progress and challenges in the area. The annual workshop, a customary event held at the start of Term One serves as a platform for headteachers to collaborate with district leaders on critical educational matters.

In an interview with Kazo FM, John Bosco Tumwesigye, the Inspector of Schools for Kazo District emphasized the importance of this meeting noting that it allows for open dialogue about initiatives and improvements within the education sector.

A highlight of the workshop was the election of a new committee for the Kazo Headteachers Association. Tumushabe Paddy was elected as the new chairman, who vowed to work closely with the Kazo District Education Department to enhance educational outcomes and support for schools in the district.

LCV Chairman Rev. Samuel Mugisha Katugunda urged headteachers to be understanding regarding school fees. He discouraged the practice of sending children home for non-payment of fees, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity in education and the need to keep children in school regardless of financial challenges.

As the workshop concluded, the district leaders and headteachers reaffirmed their commitment to fostering an educational environment that supports all students in Kazo highlighting the community’s collaborative efforts to address ongoing challenges within the educational system.