Farmers in Kazo district have been called upon to embrace vaccination to protect their animals from diseases and death.

Speaking to our reporter on issues concerning animal health on Wednesday, Dr Kiyemba Ronald, the Kazo district veterinary officer revealed that over 571 cows have died of Clostridia diseases in just three months in Kazo district.

Dr Kiyemba added that this infectious disease was first reported in the month of October in Rwemikoma Sub-county and the next cases were recorded in Engari Sub-county. It further spread to other sub counties like Kazo town council, Kazo, Buremba, Nkungu and Kanoni.

Dr Kiyemba explained that Clostridia diseases are caused by anaerobic bacteria that are widespread in the environment, particularly in soil, and are often fatal.

Dr Kiyemba appealed to farmers to use OX 30% first and clostridia vaccine two times to protect cattle against diseases caused by toxins produced by infections from one or more clostridium bacteria.

Following the residents’ outcry, Hon Dan Kimosho the area member of Parliament also raised this issue as a matter of national importance in Parliament on Wednesday.

In response, the speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Anitah Annet Among tasked the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) to make a thorough study on the attack of this strange disease in the cattle corridor across the country.

Residents of Rwemengo and Mbogo parishes in Kanoni Sub-county, Kazo district have started working on their 8km community access road, which has been in a sorry state for over 15years.

The residents secured permission from Kazo district local government to work on the road through the mobilization of Chairman LC II, Lay Canon Edward Kibwenga, together with their community work chairperson, Tumwine David Tumushabe with funding from Francis Rumoma, one of the area residents.

Over 30 residents and boda boda riders volunteered to carry the stones, pave water runways and level the road on behalf of the district.

Lay Canon Edward Kibwenga, the chairman LC II Rwemengo parish, said that after heavy rains destroyed the road, making it impossible for people and vehicles to move, they have been reporting about its sorry state to the district officials who promised to work on it after the rains, all in vain. 

 Kibwenga added that after a long wait they were able to mobilize for culverts and tractors from the one Francis which helped them to do the work successfully.

A section of residents led by Chairman Boda Boda, Kanoni Sub-county told our reporter that this road has become a spot for many accidents because of the many gullies that have filled the road since it was last rehabilitated 10 years ago.

The residents requested the Government to complete the community access roads by putting culverts since they have opened the roads.

Tumwine David Tumushabe, resident and chairperson of community work attributed the failure to work on the roads to district officials for neglecting the area. 

Tumushabe said the roads were last rehabilitated when it was still Kiruhura district.

In a bid to improve health care for residents in Kiruhura and Kazo districts and the surrounding areas, the North Ankole Diocese is establishing a mission hospital.

The construction of this hospital dubbed North Ankole Mission hospital which has already started in Rushere town council, Kiruhura district is expected to be completed in about two years, to provide good health services to people especially minimizing cases of maternal mortality.

Speaking during the North Ankole Diocese 19^th anniversary function held on Sunday at Emmanuel cathedral Rushere town council, Kiruhura, the Rt. Rev. Steven Namanya, the North Ankole Diocesan Bishop, said they have reached a phase of outpatient which has the capacity to accommodate 55 beds.  

Bishop Namanya revealed that although they managed to start the constructions of the hospital, they need the support of well-wishers and corporate companies to extend the services to vulnerable communities in the region.

Bishop Namanya revealed Uganda Baati Ltd has already supported them with 700 iron sheets worth UGX 51 million that contributed more to their effort.

George Arodi, the CEO Uganda Baati promised to continue giving a hand to Bishop Namanya until the hospital is completed thoroughly.

Speaking at the same function, Jotham Taremwa, former spokesperson of Uganda electoral commission praised the bishop for his contribution towards the economic and spiritual nourishment of the diocese.

Once completed, the Hospital will offer services including but not limited to maternity and pediatric services, TB and HIV care and treatment, neonatal intensive care unit, outpatient unit and dental services among others.

Story by Mutatiina Medison

Rev Ven.  Kwesiga Emmanuel Katamunanwire, the archdeacon of St Johns church of Uganda, has urged the youth to have hope in Jesus Christ if they want to be saved from sin.

Rev Ven.  Kwesiga Emmanuel Katamunanwire made the call while speaking during the official opening of the 2^nd Annual youth and children convention, 2023 of Kazo Archdeaconry under the diocese of North Ankole on Thursday Evening at Kazo secondary school in Kazo district.

Speaking as the first speaker during the same occasion, the Kazo District Education Officer, Agume Robert Rwabwizi asked youth to do the work of God and obey his roles in order to live with harmony.

This year’s convention will run from 12^th to 14^th January 2023 under the whole diocese theme; “…Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29.

Residents of Rukinga-Bugarihe, Rwemikoma sub-county, Kazo district led by their LC I Chairperson Mweteise David have protested the arrest of a one Beigana Robert by the Kazo district Security team accusing him of operating a meat collecting center illegally in Rukinga.

The arrest follows the outcry of the area residents who have been living in fear following an outbreak of a raging strange disease suspected to be anthrax from dead animals.

The residents however say that the people who died from the strange disease were not working in any butchery and even Robert did not sell them meat asking district health team to focus on bringing the results to confirm the disease saying that they are all in fear.

Al Hajji Umar Mawiya Lule, the Kazo Resident District commissioner (RDC) said the case is registered at Kazo police post under SD Ref No 05/10/1/2023.

Mawiya advised the people of Kazo to stop eating meat from dead animals and urged them to report anyone found selling it for security to intervene.

Addressing the issue of confirming results from samples, the Kazo district health officer, Dr. Samuel Tweheyo Kiroha said the samples were taken to the Uganda Virus Research Institute in Gulu and are expecting the results before this weekend.

With this rare disease, you first develop a bruise on the arm (Akahere), the arm starts swelling which spreads to the chest, then the rest of the body and eventually resulting into death.

Residents of Rukinga, Bugarihe parish, Rwemikoma sub-county, in Kazo district are living in fear after an outbreak of a raging ‘strange’ disease that has caused the death of three people.

These residents from Rukinga led by their LC I Chairperson Mweteise David and their village health team leader, Bugarihe Parish; Esau Baigana confirmed the incidents saying that they are all in fear and urged the government together with district teams to intervene in the matter.

Taremwa Justus, one of the survivors narrated to our reporter that with this rare disease, you first develop a bruise on the arm (Akahere) and the arm starts swelling.

According to the residents, the rare disease was first reported in the month of November when it killed a 60-year-old farmer who was from Rwomuhoro.

He developed the same signs and symptoms of painful swellings on the arm spreading to the chest, he died within five days and was buried in Rukinga.

The latest victim is Bamutunga Yonasani, also a resident of Rukinga Bugarihe parish, who is currently in a critical condition.

Bisaba Imana Benon, the health assistant in the Rwemikoma sub-county confirmed the outcry noting that they are working hand in hand with the district health teams to have some samples taken to the laboratory for proper diagnosis.