After the State Minister for education, Dr. Joyce Moriku  Kaducu declared on Tuesday this week that pre-primary, primary and secondary schools will be closing early not beyond 25^th November 2022 to contain the spread of Ebola in the country, a section of people in Kiruhura district have expressed mixed feelings over the ministry’s decision.

Rev. David Kagumya, head teacher of Bishops Girls’ school said that although children will lose a lot academically, it is better to close schools instead of them contracting Ebola from school.

Rev. Kagumya noted that parents need to create time for their children to read notes while at home during holyday.

Maremasa Obed, one of the parents said that early closure of schools will lead to the loss of money by parents they have already given schools. Maremesa said parents are impoverished by the economic crisis that they do not need lose what they have already got.

Kitakureka David, a councilor for Nshwerempago parish also supported this government’s move saying it is necessary to save the lives of children.

Kaducu directed all pre-primary, primary and secondary schools across Uganda to close on 25 November 2022, two weeks before the scheduled end of term on 9 December 2022 after 23 Ebola cases were confirmed among school going pupils, including eight children who have died from the virus.

By Mutatiina Medison

Local leaders and stakeholders in Kitagwenda district have called for strong interventions to curb teenage pregnancies that have risen in the district.

The call follows a report indicating a big increase in the number of girls aged between 15 and 19 years who got pregnant in Kitagwenda over the past three years ending June 30, 2022.

A report by United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) indicates that the district recorded 3,420 teen pregnancies over the period, 33 of whom were girls below 15 years old, while 3,387 others ranged from 15 – 19 years of age.

According to the district health officer, Dr. Christine Karungi, Mahyoro sub-county registered the highest number of teen pregnancies with 941 girls between 15 and 19 years of age conceiving over the reporting period. It is followed by Kitagwenda town council and Nyabbani sub-county, which registered 721 and 691 teenage pregnancies, respectively.

At only four, Kicheche sub-county registered the least teenage pregnancies over the period. Buhanda recorded 376 teen pregnancies, Kabujogera 308, and Kanara 379.

Yasin Kezimbira, the District male youth councillor called for strong measures to ensure that girls stay in school, saying this provides them the much-needed safety net.

He said parents who are found to have removed their children from school should also be punished.

Kezimbira called for creation of skilling centres especially in the sub-counties with high teen pregnancy rates, to cater for the young mothers who can’t return to school.

The two officials were speaking during the district’s budget conference.

Residents of Rwemikoma sub-county in Kazo district have expressed dissatisfaction over the poor state of Kazo –Kyegegwa road particularly towards the Rwemikoma trading center.

Speaking to our reporter on Monday, these angry residents said that the potholes on this road have greatly affected the movement of people and their goods to the market centers.

The residents also argue that the place is a hotspot for accidents in this area.

Hajjat Nasamba, a resident and Women’s chairperson in Rwemikoma said that pregnant women suffer a lot while passing on this pothole in search of health services from either Kazo or Kyegegwa districts.

These residents demanded a quick response from the government through Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA).

Mwesigye Richard, area LC I chairperson also revealed that he has been getting reports from people affected adding that this particular spot gets even messier when it rains.

Mwesigye noted that this road has many vehicles and urged the government to work on it.

Sam Kakajara, the chairperson LC III Rwemikoma sub-county said that for over two months, the residents have decried the damaged road noting that it’s about time for the government through UNRA to intervene because this road is essential for businesses in Kazo and Kyegegwa districts.

Sheikh Abdallah Ibrahim Ssemambo, the Deputy Mufti of Uganda from Uganda Muslim supreme council, has called upon Muslims in Kiruhura and Kazo districts to have unity, one voice as well as stopping fighting against each other.

Speaking at the meeting of these Muslims at Rushere mosque, Kiruhura Muslim district headquarters on Friday, Sheikh Ssemambo told them that violence will not benefit them and encouraged them to champion peaceful living amongst themselves.

The coming of Sheikh Ssemambo comes after the frequent fights among Muslim leaders in these two districts which later led to the vote of no confidence to their District Kadhi Sheik Ausi Muyingo accusing him of irregular work for the Muslim community.

 Sheikh Ssemambo chose the interim District Kadhi who will be working for a mean time until they elect their own leaders.

However, Abdul Hakim Turyakira, the former chairman of Muslims in Kiruhura district noted that sheik Ausi Muyingo, former district Kadhi should return to the office.

Bakunda George, the Kiruhura Resident district commissioner (RDC) said that security will not allow the Muslims to fight each other.

By Mutatiina Medison

Residents of the Mbaba, Kazo sub-county, Kazo district are overjoyed after officially getting their Savings and credit cooperative (Sacco) which they started as a group.

During their first 1^ST General meeting and launch of the Sacco held in Mbaba trading center on Wednesday, these members told our reporter that this group helped them so much, adding that becoming Sacco will help them to achieve more in the future.

Mwesigye Stanly, the chairman of the Sacco, revealed that this Sacco started in the year 2020 as a group of members with the aim of acquiring the capital for starting their businesses and getting money to develop their families. 

Baguma Peter, the Kazo district commercial officer who served as the guest of honour launched them as Sacco and asked them to follow the laws governing the Saccos in Uganda in order to make their Sacco sustainable.

The Ibanda grade one magistrate’s court has sentenced a 19-year-old man to nine months in jail at Nyabuhikye Prison for stealing three bunches of bananas from a neighbour.

It is alleged that Prosper Nuwabasa, a resident of Rugarama in Nyarukika, Rukiri in Ibanda district, stole bananas from John Byensi’s plantation on September 18^th and run away from the village.

The suspect, Nuwabasa was arrested by the Police on October 6 upon his return to the village and subsequently charged.

While appearing before her worship Esther Murungi on November 1^st , Nuwabasa pleaded guilty to the offence and was consequently convicted and sentenced by the court on his own plea of guilt.

While sentencing him, the magistrate said the prison term would serve as a lesson to others who want to reap what they did not sow.

Nuwabasa’s sentence will be less the time he has spent on remand.

Byensi, who said the three bunches of bananas were valued at UGX 60,000 prayed to court to give the convict a deterrent sentence, saying his bananas were disappearing mysteriously.

The offence of theft contravenes sections 254(i) and 261 of the Penal Code Act and carries a maximum of five years in prison on conviction.

Ibanda district has unveiled a plan to attract more investments by encouraging people born in Ibanda but staying in Kampala to come and invest back home to spur its development.

Speaking during the district’s budget conference for the 2023/3024 fiscal years at the Council Hall, Herbert Happy Mayanja, the LC V chairman Ibanda district said that attracting more investments into the district would create more jobs for residents, especially the youth.

Mayanja added that the district leaders would soon meet a select group of potential investors to interest them in the immense investment opportunities the district offers.

According to reports, Ibanda has opportunities in agro-processing, tourism, mining, dairy, metals and fabrications, construction, farming, education and general trade, among others.

According to district authorities, Ibanda expects to spend UGX 27 billion next financial year. Of this, UGX 25.77 billion will come from the government while locally raised revenues will only cover 3.5% which is approximately UGX 937.6 million of the expected total budget. Donors are expected to add UGX 311.4 million.

Kweyunga Ruhemba, the Ibanda chief administrative officer (CAO) told stakeholders that next year’s budget seeks to restore the economy to a growth trajectory of between 6-7%.

The conference was attended by district councilors and district staff, sub-county chairpersons and chiefs, town clerks, and development partners among others.

A budget conference is the initial step in the budget preparation process, where the expected expenditure plans are presented to key stakeholders for their input.

Wilson Kajwengye, the Member of Parliament representing Nyabushozi County in Kiruhura district has sternly challenged parents about the habit of educating their children from schools outside their district.

Speaking to parents at Rushere Christian high school in Rushere town council, Kajwengye urged parents to appreciate their home district schools by educating children from there for the better development of the district communities as well as children to cope up with the parental culture and behaviors.

Banabas Bakekira, the director of Rushere Christian high school and Mount Olives Primary school also discouraged parents in Kiruhura district from taking children to study from outside the district and support schools nearest to them.

Byensi David Kagonde, the head teacher Lake Mburo Secondary school said this school has 230 students and attributed the low number of students to frequent changing of school leaders and lack of school equipment like laboratory equipment.

Kashaija Patrick, the head teacher Kaaro high school noted that discipline among students in schools is what leads to the good standard and academic excellence.

Kingmartin Kyanyawanga, the Mayor Rushere town council appreciated political leaders for bringing notable development to the communities.

Kajwengye also distributed Science Laboratory Equipment, reagents and Textbooks (Mathematics, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, English, including revision questions and answers) to to boost science education in Secondary schools in Nyabushozi, Kiruhura district.

Story by Mutatiina Medison