Rwamwanja Secondary School in Kibale East, Kamwenge District is in mourning the tragic death of Apophia Katushabe, a Senior Four candidate at the same school.

Katushabe had completed only four papers in the ongoing Uganda Certificate of Education examinations and was pronounced dead on Saturday evening.

Ndibarema Lawrence, the deputy head teacher of Rwamwanja Secondary School confirmed her death noting that Katushabe had been coping with minor medical complications during the exams. However, her condition worsened on Friday and she was rushed to a hospital in Kampala where she ultimately passed away.

Lawrence expressed disappointment saying that as a school they had high hopes in Katushabe who was considered a top candidate. “Now, out of 235 candidates taking the exams, we are left with only 234,” he lamented.

Katushabe was just 22 years old and her burial is scheduled for Monday October 21 at her parents’ home in Ntuntu Nkoma parish, Katalyeba Town Council in Kamwenge district.

Security forces in Ibanda district have recovered an automatic rifle AK-47 along with live ammunition. The Rwizi Region Police Spokesperson, SP Samson Kasasira has also confirmed the arrest of Ashraf Kiiza in connection with the firearm which was concealed in a swamp.

The operation conducted by a joint security team, led to the discovery of the weapon and two rounds of ammunition in Igorora village in Igorora Town Council. Kiiza, a known criminal had severally avoided arrest in a number of operations across multiple districts including Mbarara, Kazo, Kiruhura and Kamwenge. He and other accomplices are believed to be behind a string of armed robberies and cattle thefts in these areas.

Kiiza is suspected to have concealed the gun serial number UG PSO 56S 4101 385 13187 in a swamp. He was apprehended on October 10 during an intelligence-led operation involving the Police, Uganda People’s Defence Forces and Internal Security Organisation operatives.

He denied being the owner of the firearm which compelled the operatives to transfer him to Bihanga Army Barracks for further interrogations. Investigations are underway to trace the origin of the gun and apprehend additional suspects.

On Wednesday, October 9, 2024, the Prefectorial Body of Kazo Secondary School was encouraged to nurture mutual understanding among their peers for the betterment of the school. This message was delivered during the induction service for prefects held in the school’s main hall in Kazo Town Council, Kazo District.

Among the facilitators were Abaho Paul, a journalist and former student leader; Rev. Eric Byakatonda, an educationist and clergy leader and members of the school administration.

Rev. Byakatonda voiced concerns about lack of mutual understanding among many prefects which he warned could create rifts among students and threaten the school’s future. He noted that in the past student leaders often lacked essential moral values which would jeopardized the well-being of future generations. He urged the prefects to embrace humility, discipline and problem-solving skills and to foster harmonious relationships with the school administration.

During the session, Abaho reminded the prefects of the limitations of their respective roles. He encouraged them to seek guidance when faced with challenges. He emphasized that leadership is seasonal and those called to serve must remember the purpose of their calling.

The school’s headteacher, Akahangirwe Omutwe Nikokagwaata Amos addressed prefects and discouraged them from engaging in rule-breaking and any forms of immorality. He urged them to promote a positive image of the school and not to engage in disreputable acts. He encouraged prefects to collaborate with their teachers and the administration to enhance the growth and development of the school.

Speaking to our reporter, Apollo Baningye,the Headboy and his prefecture expressed gratitude to the facilitators and the administration. They called for continued support and promised to work diligently towards the school’s development.

Police in Bushenyi District are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a 54-year-old businessman Isaac Ruhigwa Atwine who was found dead in a lodge in Kizinda-Kigoma Town Council. The incident occurred on the night of October 9, 2024, around 10:30 PM coinciding with Uganda’s Independence Day.

Martial Tumusiime, the Greater Bushenyi region police spokesperson confirmed that Atwine, a resident of Bwegiragye in Ishaka, arrived at Deluxe Hotel in Kizinda with an unidentified woman at approximately 6:00 PM. Upon checking in, Atwine was observed to be holding half a glass of beer which he had brought from outside the hotel premises. Hotel records captured Atwine’s name and address but he requested that the woman’s details remain unregistered.

The couple was assigned to room D8 and at around 7:30 PM, the woman was seen leaving the hotel alone. Shortly thereafter, she informed the hotel owner, referred to as Dotcom, that Atwine was in poor health. In response, Dotcom who was off-site at the time instructed the hotel receptionist, Kihembo Vian, to establish what could have gone wrong only to discover Atwine unresponsive and lying on the bed fully covered with a bed cover.

After confirming the situation, Kihembo immediately notified Dotcom who subsequently reported the death to the police. Tumusiime noted that Atwine’s body was transported to Kampala International University Teaching Hospital for examination and there were no signs of torture found on the body. It was also reported that Atwine was discovered completely naked upon the removal of the bed cover. The investigation is ongoing as authorities seek to gather more information about the circumstances leading to Atwine’s death and the identity of the accompanying woman.

The 2.7 billion shillings worth school project has been launched at Burunga Seed Secondary School in Burunga Sub-County, Kazo District. This aims at enhancing the government policy of having a seed school in every subcounty to enhance Uganda’s education sector.

The function took place yesterday at the school premises and was officially launched by the district political and technical teams lead by the Chief Administrative Officer, Al Hajj Badru Mayanja, Capt. Yahaya Kakooza the Resident District Commissioner and the LCV Chairman of Kazo District.

This initiative is supported by the district technical staff and local leaders to ensure that the project is well executed and quality work is delivered.

The leaders also launched the construction of two classroom blocks and an office at Kiguma Primary School in the same sub county worth Shillings123 million.

The District Education Officer,Robert Agume Rwabwizi, urged contractors from Kaleeta Construction Limited to ensure quality work.

Samuel Rumari, chairperson of LCIII for Burunga Sub-County, thanked the district leadership for these initiatives and called for ongoing efforts to improve education.

Capt. Yahaya Kakooza, the resident district commissioner of Kazo, encouraged parents to practice family planning so that they produce children they are able to provide for.

Head teachers Atwijukire Yoweri of Burunga Seed Secondary School and Ampaire Nicholas of Kiguma Primary School expressed gratitude to the government for the projects and pledged to supervise them in order to ensure that credible work is delivered.

Police in Kazo district are searching for unknown thieves who stole a cow from Aston Nsiima, the Kazo Town Council National Resistance Movement’s Registrar and Vice Chairman. The incident occurred on Monday morning in Byeshembe Ward when Nsiima went to milk the cow and could not find it in the farm.

After a brief search, the cow’s remains were discovered along the Ibanda-Rushere road where it had been slaughtered and its parts removed. Nsiima valued the cow at Shs 5 million, considering its milk productivity and overall condition. He noted that this was a new trend in the area as the meat was stripped from the bones, leaving them and the unborn calf behind.

Nsiima urged residents to unite against this growing issue while locals called on authorities to intervene and help combat cattle theft in the area.

The Ibanda Grade One Magistrate’s Court has sentenced two individuals to significant periods of incarceration for the offenses of shop breaking and theft.

Frank Bagumirabingi and Ambrose Dembe, both residents of Bufunda cell in Bufunda Division, Ibanda Municipality, were sentenced by Her Worship Magistrate Esther Murungi. Bagumirabingi, 28, received a sentence of 28 months for shop breaking and an additional 28 months for theft, to be served consecutively. Dembe, 24, was sentenced to nine months for each count, also to be served consecutively.

The custodial sentences will be reduced by the eight months the convicts had already spent on remand at Nyabuhikye Prison, as stipulated by the court.

It is notable that the sentences imposed were significantly less than those sought by the prosecution. Prosecutor, Tian Emmanuel had argued for the maximum allowable sentences of eight years for shop breaking and ten years for theft for each defendant.

Both defendants were found guilty of breaking into the shop owned by Henry Biryomumaisho on Mpiira Road in Ibanda Town on January 27 from which they stole several items, including a television set, sugar, rice, salt and cooking oil.

Following the sentencing, Biryomumaisho, the complainant expressed that he found the sentences to be “fair.”

The Ibanda Grade I Magistrate’s Court convicted 20-year-old Herbert Twinomuhangi for breaking into a teacher’s house and stealing her money. Twinomuhangi, from Kafunjo I cell in Bufunda Division pleaded guilty to the charges before the Grade One Magistrate, Esther Murungi on October 1. He has been remanded to Nyabuhikye Prison until October 22.

On July 8, Twinomuhangi broke into the home of the 42-year-old primary school teacher, Alice Asiimwe and stole sh310,000. A neighbor witnessed him leaving the house and informed Asiimwe, who reported the incident to the Police. Twinomuhangi was arrested weeks later when he resurfaced.

After pleading guilty, Twinomuhangi claimed he found the door open and took only sh290,000 that was on the table in Asiimwe’s sitting room. Housebreaking carries a maximum penalty of eight years while theft can result in up to ten years in prison.

The Ibanda magistrate’s court has sentenced four family heads to community service due to lack of latrines in their homes. On October 1, 2023, Vital Akankwatsa (28) from Rwobuzizi, Richard Nuwabiine (30), Nicholas Gumisiriza (50), and Nasitario Bainoha (30) from Karushambya were each ordered to complete one day of community service at the court premises.

Magistrate Esther Murungi stressed the importance of constructing latrines and warned individuals that they must build these facilities within two weeks. Failure to comply could result into their arrest and a potential six-month imprisonment.

Isaac Mugobi, a senior law enforcement officer in the municipality had called for a sentence that would serve as a deterrent to other residents highlighting the need for compliance to protect public health. The four men were arrested by the Ibanda Municipality law enforcement team after it was discovered that their homes were a public health risk due to the absence of proper latrines.

Mugobi reported that 38 homes in the Nsasi and Rwobuzizi wards of Bufunda Division currently lack latrines. Under local law, individuals found without latrines may face a fine of 200,000 shillings or up to six months in prison.

A Local contractor, MUPA Technical Services has threatened to sue Ntungamo District Local Government to the Commercial Court accusing it of unlawfully terminating its contract for the construction of Kihanga Public Seed School. The contract that was signed in 2020 has become contentious after district authorities ordered the contractor to vacate the site due to significant delays attributed to the contractor’s failure to adhere to project guidelines.

Patrick Mugyenyi, Managing Director of MUPA Technical Services claims that these delays were primarily due to the district’s failure to provide timely funding. He emphasized that the project valued at Shs2.078 billion has suffered further complications due to the district’s neglect in signing necessary contract variations for earthworks costing 727 million shillings arising from the challenging conical hill terrain of the site.

Mugyenyi expressed frustration over what he describes as a breach of contract citing delayed payment while the district seeks to engage other contractors for the same project. He demands payment of over Shs1.254 billion from the district before any new contractor is hired.

He further warned that failure to address this issue will compel him to pursue legal action against the district.

He lamented that these challenges are faced by local contractors in Uganda who struggle against foreign firms that typically receive more favorable treatment.

Responding to the situation, Ntungamo District Chief Administrative Officer, Matthias Ndifuna acknowledged that the construction is currently about 72% complete and noted that some payments had been made to MUPA Technical Services.

However, the situation remains concerning particularly for the local community. Africano Ashabaheebwa, headteacher at Kihanga Public Secondary School voiced the community’s frustration stating that inadequate infrastructure is severely impacting the school’s performance.

As tensions mount, MUPA Technical Services appears prepared to escalate its claims against the district emphasizing the urgent need for resolution to ensure the future of the construction project and support for local contractors.