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.

Mugabi Bernard Kafure, the Kyampangara LC III chairman has expressed dissatisfaction with the office of Resident District Commissioner (RDC) and the office Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for delayed response in rescuing his stamp from his vice since 28^th august when he received a letter from solicitor general of government of getting back in his office.

While receiving back his instruments of power from his vice, Kaconco Rose, Kafure noted that he will make an immediate reshuffle in his executive, and eliminate those fighting him.

This was after the RDC, Capt Yahaya Kakooza advised Kafure not to make an immediate reshuffle of his executive but to wait for some time and reconcile.

The development follows court guidance in Mbarara allowing him to appoint a new vice and make a new stamp.

Kaconco Rose, the vice chairperson who had earlier refused to give out stamps after the elected chairperson returned to office revealed that she wanted to hand over the instruments in an official way like the bible says “there is time for everything”.

Zirimenya Nsubuga, the Kazo district CAO urged the two parties (Chairperson LC III and his Vice) to reconcile and give a chance to Kyampagara people to move forward with development.

Speaking to our reporter at the district headquarters yesterday, Kyampagara leaders and residents led by their district councilor, Hon Ham Rubainika also expressed their happiness noting that this brings an end to the fights that have been in their area.

A section of farmers under Mbaba farmer’s society limited in Mbaba Parish, Kazo sub-county, Kazo district have appealed to the government to prioritize the construction of dams to address water shortage in an area.

The farmers, led by model farmer Mr. Stanley Mwesigye, said their effort to continue with SNV’s mission of improving milk production and compete with other areas in terms of dairy production is constantly frustrated by drought.

Aikiriza Steven, the dairy advisor for TIDE project under SNV addressing farmers during the field day training.

Mwesigye made the revelation during the SNV field day outreach training with a team from Kazo district local government including political leaders, technical staff and production department team at Mwesigye Stanley’s farm in Mbaba parish, Kazo sub-county, Kazo district on Thursday designed to strengthen the SNV collaboration with the district and to introduce new technologies for uptake and share useful market information for the matter.

Farmers doing a farm inspection during the field day training.

Aikiriza Steven, the dairy advisor for The Inclusive Diary Enterprise (TIDE) project under SNV Netherlands Development Organization revealed that from 2016 until December 2023, their aim was to improve dairy farming by addressing animal famine, noting that they already achieved ahead of the closure of their services in southwestern Uganda.

In response to water shortage scourge, Johnbaptist Asiimwe, the district production officer Kazo revealed that as the district they are working hand in hand with the Ministry of Water and Environment to give the farmers tractors for constructing dams.

Hon Fred Ntungire, district councilor representing Kanoni sub-county who represented the Kazo district chairperson Rev Samuel Mugisha Katugunda urged all farmers to take an example and embrace commercial farming in order to improve and increase production.

Police in Kiruhura has in custody four members of the same family accused of killing a man for not paying bride price.

Kwizeera Emmanuel, 45, a husband to Katushabe Jane was beaten to death and his body dumped in a dam by his wife’s family members over failure to pay bride price.

It is said the incident occurred on 13^th July 2023 and Kwizeera’s dead body was found in a dam of Rwakashugi George on 14^th July 2023.

The suspects identified as Kendeere Margret, Kwizeera’s (deceased) mother-in-law, Bakashaba Aaron, Muhereza Yoram and another identified only as Moses, all residents of Rwomuti cell 1, Rugongi parish, Kenshunga sub-county in Kiruhura district are under arrest at Kiruhura police station on charges of murder.

Katushabe Jane whose husband was beaten to death told our reporter that she and her husband agreed to work and pay bride price later, a decision her mother, Kendeere Margret disagreed with and this resulted into the death of her husband.

According to police, three other suspects still at large are; Namara Grace, Ikiriza Allen and Amumpire James, all relatives of the deceased’s wife (Katushabe).

Katushabe added that she wants justice and requested police to continue searching for the three suspects still on the run and arrest them for killing her husband.

Gumisiriza Moses, the LCI chairperson Rwomuti I cell revealed that family members of Katushabe did not want Kwizeera to marry their daughter.

Residents of Keicumu are overjoyed after Keicumu catholic centre received an independent major zone from Sya major zone.

Christians at Keicumu catholic centre in Keicumu parish Engari sub-county have been struggling to move the long distance to Sya to get Services of major zone.

Speaking after confirming this major zone, Rev Fr Mugisha Deo, the Parish priest of Kazo catholic parish urged Christians to use the major zone for bringing people closer to the Kingdom of God.

The Parish priest of Kazo catholic church, Rev Fr Mugisha Deo, presiding over service at Keicumu catholic church.

Speaking as the guest of honor, Naboth Nandeeba, the operations manager capacity service limited, congratulated the people of Keicumu major zone and advised them to use their land productively and prioritize increasing on household income.

Dan Tumwine, the district Councillor representing Engari sub-county who was delegated by the Kazo Member of parliament, Dan Kimosho appreciated the Parish priest for giving major zone to the people of Keicumu and asked them to use it on spreading the gospel of education in the society.

Tumwine also asked the parish priest to pray for reduction in the cases of domestic violence that be been increasing rapidly in Keicumu.

Rev Samuel Mugisha Katugunda, the LC V chairperson Kazo district who also graced the function, urged Christian to embrace and involve themselves in government programs.