The Ibanda Grade One Magistrate’s Court has convicted two young men, Frank Bagumirabingi and Ambrose Dembe for shop breaking and theft. The two hailing from Bufunda cell in Bufunda Division, Ibanda Municipality, have been remanded to Nyabuhikye Prison until October 1 when they will appear before court for sentencing.

Judge Esther Murungi found the duo guilty of breaking into Henry Biryomumaisho’s shop on Mpiira Street in Ibanda town and stealing various items including a TV set, sugar, rice, salt, and cooking oil, on January 27.

Their actions contravene Section 298 of the Penal Code Act for shop breaking, and Sections 154 and 161 for theft with potential prison sentences of eight and ten years respectively upon conviction.

During the trial, the magistrate noted that all evidence and witness testimonies placed Bagumirabingi and Dembe at the crime scene. Notably, Bagumirabingi, 28, dropped his phone at the scene which police used to call a frequently dialed number answered by Dembe, 24. Dembe also assisted the police in locating Bagumirabingi and recovering some of the stolen items which had been sold to a trader along Mpiira Street.

Prosecution led by Tian Emmanuel has called for the maximum sentences of eight years for shop breaking and ten years for theft.

Deus Kiiza, a 29-year-old man, was recently convicted and sentenced to community service by the Ibanda magistrate’s court for the assault of a 55-year-old woman, Norida Nagasha. The incident took place in August when Kiiza, while encountering Nagasha on her way to a trading center, beat her with a walking stick, resulting in actual bodily harm, as per section 219 of the Penal Code Act.

During the court hearing on Tuesday September 24, Kiiza pleaded guilty to the charges against him leading to a sentence of community service. He will be required to perform five hours of community service on three days each week. Failure to comply with this requirement will result in his arrest and a potential six-months jail sentence.

The Ibanda Grade One Magistrate, Esther Murungi emphasized the importance of Kiiza’s guilty plea and his intention to reform and warned him against any future instances of violence that could lead to a more severe custodial sentence. The prosecution, led by Emmanuel Tian, requested an appropriate sentence, noting that Kiiza was a first-time offender.

Kiiza had spent three weeks on remand at Nyabuhikye Prison prior to his sentencing and expressed his wish for a lenient sentence, claiming he had undergone personal reform during this time. The court considered these factors in determining the sentence.

Boda Boda riders in Kazo, especially those at the Hospital Stage, are in mourning following the tragic passing of their colleague, Justus Kiiza , 24. Kiiza was a member of the boda boda industry for approximately four years.

According to Geoffrey Musiime, the stage speaker, Kiiza lost his life on Sunday, September 22, 2024, while attempting to collect firewood. It is reported that Kiiza climbed a tall tree to retrieve a dried branch but fell at around 1:00pm. Tragically, he remained alone at the scene until approximately 4:00pm, when passersby discovered him in critical condition. He was transported to a clinic in Kazo Town Council but was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Saul Ahimbisibwe Tinka, the General Secretary of Kazo Hospital Stage expressed grief and fond memories with Kiiza during their time together. He described Kiiza as a person of strong character with good moral values. Initially, based at the Rwamuranga Boda Boda stage in Kazo Subcounty, Kiiza later became a valued member of the Kazo Town stage.

Ahimbisibwe has called on fellow members and district leaders to join together in organizing a respectful send-off for their departed friend.

Kiiza resided in Ruziinga Village, Rwempiri Ward, Kazo Town Council, Kazo District. He is survived by one child and a pregnant wife. Arrangements are being made for him to be buried at his ancestral home in Kinyamugara, Kitagwenda District, on Tuesday, September 24, 2024.

Kazo Health Centre IV is in day two of a week-long surgical camp running from September 22 to 28, 2024 with over 150 patients already registered. The camp aims to run in 13 districts in the Ankole region, including Mbarara, Ibanda, Ntungamo, and Bushenyi, and is set to conduct over 2,500 surgical operations.

Dr. Nathan Muramagi, the health centre administrator reported that the number of registered patients continues to rise with 15 surgeries already completed. Most procedures involve treating patients with anemia-related issues.

Justus Mugarura, the mayor of Kazo Town Council, expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Health and area Members of Parliament for facilitating the camp. He requested an extension of the camp duration to accommodate the increasing number of patients.

During the camp’s kickoff, Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Dr. Diana Atwine emphasized the initiative’s dual focus addressing immediate health needs and promoting preventative care. In addition to surgeries, the camp will offer screenings for conditions such as cervical cancer, Tuberculosis, and gastrointestinal issues.

Dr. Atwine also noted that the camp will provide hearing and eye defect screenings, along with various general healthcare services. ”Community participation is essential for the camp’s success”, highlighted Atwine.

The camp will involve around 420 healthcare professionals, including nurses, lab technicians, and other specialists, delivering free testing, treatment, and surgical services across 25 health facilities, including Health Centres IV and V, and referral hospitals in the Ankole Sub-region.

The Minister of State for Industry, Hon. David Bahati, has called on the public to actively participate in government initiatives aimed at improving household incomes and overall livelihoods. He highlighted the importance of programs such as the Presidential Initiative on Job and Wealth Creation, Emyooga, and the Parish Development Model (PDM), which focus on reducing household poverty and creating job opportunities.

Bahati made these remarks while presiding over a fundraising event for the expansion and completion of St. Peter Karuhitsi Church of Uganda in Buyenje parish, Noombe Archdeaconary, Ankole Diocese, within the Rubindi-Ruhumba town council of Kashari South, Mbarara District yesterday.

He also advised attendees to keep religion separate from politics noting that traders in the market do not ask about an individual’s religion or tribe but instead focus on who can offer the best price for their goods.

The fundraising campaign aimed at raising 107 million Ugandan shillings. Over 16 million shillings was collected, including donations of 45 bags of cement and a truckload of sand. Bahati pledged to donate 200 iron sheets for the roofing of the church.

Kashari North MP Hon. Bazil Bataringaya contributed 25 bags of cement, while the Mbarara District Woman Member of Parliament Hon. Margaret Ayebare Rwebyambu donated 20 bags.

In his message, Bataringaya encouraged the congregation to enhance coffee cultivation as a commercial crop, emphasizing the importance of value addition to achieve better financial returns.

Hon. Ayebare expressed appreciation to fellow parliamentarians who attended and contributed more than six million shillings towards the completion of the church while the district Chairperson, Didus Tumwesigye Tabaro criticized those who seek to eliminate fundraising drives, emphasizing their vital role in supporting rural communities and supplementing government services.

Yoshua Living Water International, in partnership with Hon. Jeniffer Rwaburibate Muheesi, the Woman Member of Parliament for Kazo District, has launched the first phase of a water drilling project aimed at addressing local water challenges.

The initiative commenced at St. Catherine Girls’ Secondary School in Kazo Town Council on Sunday, September 22nd.

Henry Muhangi, the Political Assistant to Hon. Muheesi, previously advocated for computers for the school and identified the urgent need for clean water. He introduced a solar-powered solution to benefit the community.

Rev. Fr. Deo Mugisha, the parish priest of St. Paul’s Kazo Catholic Parish and the Board Chairman of St. Catherine Girls Secondary School, expressed his gratitude to Hon. Muheesi for addressing the severe water crisis in the district.

Sister Assumpta Autamaya, the head teacher of St. Catherine, thanked Hon. Muheesi for fulfilling her promise to provide clean water, replacing the contaminated dam water previously used by the students.

Students at St. Catherine expressed their appreciation for the new water project, which will provide them with clean water, as well as the sanitary pads supplied through the partnership with Yoshua Living Water International.

The project will expand to Kagarama and Mbogo in Kanoni sub-county, continuing efforts to combat water scarcity in Kazo District.

Police in Kazo District are actively searching for a man who left his two young daughters at his workplace and disappeared.

The suspect, identified as Fred Karyabaterana, reportedly arrived at the farm of Ninsiima George in Katengyeto-Kijuma, Rwemikoma Subcounty, Kazo District with his daughters, aged 3 and 4. He presented an identification letter from Rwamuramira LC1 in Rwamuramira Parish, Kinuka Sub-county, Lyantonde district.

Ninsiima received the identification presented by Karyabaterana with intention of reporting to the LCI Chairperson but he disappeared five days later, leaving his children behind.

Bampabwire Charles Kitiribita, the police officer in charge of the Family and Children Protection Unit at Kazo Central Police Station, confirmed the incident and noted that Karyabaterana is a resident of Rwamuramira Cell in Rwamuramira Parish, Kinuka Sub-county, Lyantonde District, as indicated in the identification letter he left at the farm.

Ninsiima George, the manager of the farm, stated that Karyabaterana had sought employment for plantation work and disappeared after his brief stint, leaving his children and his identification behind.

Bampabwire condemned the local council leadership, criticizing them for issuing identification documents without proper verification of individuals’ backgrounds.

A tragic accident this morning on the Kazo-Ibanda road in Kazo District resulted in the death of one individual and left another critically injured.

The collision involved a Toyota Premio (registration number UAP 149J) and a Fuso Fighter Truck (registration number UBA 312W) in a head-on crash near Katanganya Trading Centre.

The deceased has been identified as Nuwagira Sayid Kamoomo, a resident of Rwakahaya Village in Kanoni Sub County, Kazo District. Kamoomo died at the scene, while his driver, whose identity has not yet been disclosed, sustained critical injuries.

In contrast, the three occupants of the Fuso Fighter Truck were reported to have escaped unharmed.

Witnesses at the scene indicated that Kamoomo was traveling from the Ibanda side, while the Fuso Fighter Truck was on its way from Kampala at the time of the accident.

In response to the incident, Kazo District LCV Chairman Rev. Samuel Mugisha Katugunda spoke with Kazo FM, highlighting his ongoing concerns regarding road safety in the area.

He mentioned that he has been advocating for the installation of speed humps along the Kazo-Ibanda road, a request he claims has yet to be addressed by the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA). Rev. Katugunda pledged to continue pursuing measures that could help reduce the occurrence of such tragic accidents in the future.

By the time of reporting, police from Kazo Police Station had arrived at the scene to conduct their investigations into the accident.

The Igara Tea Growers Factory has filed a lawsuit against a group of tea farmers from Buhweju, alleging that they are disrupting the operations of the Buhweju factory, which is part of the Igara-Buhweju Growers Tea Company.

This legal battle stems from ongoing tensions that began a few years ago when Buhweju tea farmers sought autonomy for their factory, a request that Igara management has consistently rejected.

The situation intensified when representatives from the Buhweju farmers formed a steering committee aimed at facilitating the separation of their factory from Igara.

According to Nicholas Abenaitwe, the lawyer representing the accused farmers, the committee’s purpose was to expedite the process of independence from the Igara factory, which they claim has been obstructing their efforts.

In response to these developments, the Igara Tea Growers Factory sought a court injunction to prevent the Buhweju farmers from disrupting factory activities. During a court appearance today, both the complainants and the defendants presented their cases to Deputy Registrar Arinaitwe Gorreti.

The court ruled in favor of the Buhweju farmers, granting them permission to hold meetings but explicitly prohibiting them from interfering with the factory’s operations.

The court has adjourned the case until October 18 for further mention of the main suit, leaving both sides awaiting clarification on the future of their ongoing conflict.

Haruna Ssewaya, the lead lawyer for the petitioners, emphasized the seriousness of the situation and the need for a resolution as the conflict continues to impact the tea-growing community in the region.

Mwebesa Laban,40, of Rushango cell, Ntambazi Parish, Kazo District, tragically ended his own life yesterday evening.

Mwebesa, a father of three, owned a bar, used a pesticide to end his life and passed away shortly after being delivered to

Yusufu Kahotore, the deceased’s grandfather revealed that Mwebesa had separated with two wives and was living with his grandparents.

Residents described him as someone who seldom shared his problems a character they believe may have contributed to his tragic decision.

Bernard Mugisha, the vice chairman of Rushango cell, condemned suicide, especially among the youth and encouraged them always share their challenges for advice.