The Minister for Luwero affairs, Hon Alice Kaboyo has heaped praise on the outgoing Bishop of North Ankole Diocese, Rt Rev Steven Namanya as a hard working servant of God who used actions better than words.

Representing the prime minister of Uganda Rt Hon Robinah Nabbajja at a thanksgiving for the Bishop, the minister hailed the Bishop for for supporting development in North Ankole.

The function was held at the Prelate’s home in Bihendwa- Akengyeya parish Kyampagara sub county, Kazo district.

The celebrant, Rt Rev Stephen Namanya expressed joy for his successful 44 years of pastoral work, adding that it was God who guided him. On 26th May 2024, the newly elected Bishop of North Ankole, Rt Rev Alfred Muhoozi will be consecrated as the third Bishop, replacing Rt Rev Steven Namanya.

Rt Rev Bishop Steven Namanya is married to Lydia Twikiriize Namanya with seven children. He succeeded the Rt. Rev. John Muhanguzi who served as the 1st Bishop of North Ankole Diocese from 2003 – 2015.

He has served eight years as a shepherd of North Ankole Diocese, retiring after clocking the mandatory 65 years.

Rt Rev Bishop Johnson Twinomujuni, the Bishop of West Ankole Diocese preaching at the function at urged christians to receive Jesus Christ as their savior.

The function was graced by many dignitaries amongst them were church ministers and government officials including the Kazo district local government leadership led by chairperson LCV Rev Samuel Mugisha Katugunda.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has commended the North Annkole outgoing Bishop, Rt Rev Stephen Namanya, for the development he initiated in the diocese, contributing to the development in the area.

The President’s message was delivered by the Primie Minister of Uganda, Rt Hon Robinah Nabanja at the laying stone for the ongoing construction of North Ankole Mission hospital and commissioning UNRA roads at the seat of the Diocese, in Rushere town council, Kiruhura district yesterday.

The Diocese over the years initiated a number of developments which among them include; the Kakyera Stock Farm which has over 320 cows, the Clergy Pension House, Kanoni Bible College, refurbishment of Rushere Model Primary School, a valley dam, and the prospective North Ankole Mission Hospital set to house a theatre, male and female Wards, special clinics, a pediatric Ward and a pharmacy among others.

Nabanja further noted that the president directed the ministry of Finance to avail support to the developments such as the Mission hospital that the Diocese is undertaking.

In the same regard, the roads around St.John’s Church of Uganda Kazo in Kazo town council, are also set to be tarmaced.

Bishop Stephen Namanya applauded the government and president Museveni for supporting development through supporting church projects.

Hon Wilson Kajwengye, the member of Parliament for Nyabushozi, used the occasion to ask the Prime Minister to fast track the delivery of the much needed Foot and Mouth disease(FMD) vaccines,to enable the promised mass vaccination to save the livestock economy .

 He further requested the Prime Minister to fastrack the release of the needed finances to enable the commercialization of the locally developed anti-tick vaccine.

Chairperson Local council ones in Kiruhura district have welcomed the proposal by the Local government Minister, Hon Magyezi Raphael to have their salaries increased by 100%.

While appearing before Parliament’s Committee on Public Service and Local Government, chaired by Hon. Ojara Martin Mapenduzi last month, Magyezi revealed that Local government leaders will receive a 100 per cent pay increment starting the next financial year 2024/2025.

Speaking to Kazo fm on the matter, Abaho David, the LCI chairperson for Nshwere Empango ward in Rushere town council says given the enormous challenges the local chairpersons face during their work, it’s important that they get the pay rise.

Currently, chairpersons at Parish and village levels receive a monthly remuneration of Shs10,000; while sub-county chairpersons receive Shs400,000 and Shs35,000 for sub-county councilors. 

Municipal, City and District Councilors are paid 250,000 Shillings per month, subject to tax. Speakers and Deputy Speakers across various levels range from Shs300,000 to Shs600,000, while members of the City and District Executive Committee receive Shs600,000 per month.  City and District Chairpersons earn Shs2 million. 

James Kabukye, the LCI chairman Nyakasharara ward in Kiruhura town council wants their salary to be increased to atleast 200,000= a month, noting that it will motivate the chairpersons to ably do their work.

Police in Isingiro District are investigating circumstances, under which an 80-year old woman was murdered.

The deceased who has been identified as Joy Kitarinyeda, a resident of Kasaana I Cell Birere Sub county Isingiro District who was found dead lying in her house with the doors locked from outside.

Preliminary findings indicate that the deceased was last seen on the 30/03/2024 with a one Richard Bamwine aged 42years her man friend around her home.

Samson Kasasira, the Rwizi Regional Police Spokesperson, notes that at the time the body of the deceased was found in the house, Bamwine was no show and when arrested, he claimed that he had left her on the 30/03/2024 as he went for Easter holidays.

The body of the deceased was discovered with scratch marks on the neck and other parts, which pointed to possible strangulation.

Kasasira further reveals that two suspects including; Ephranse Nuwabeine, a daughter to the deceased and Bamwine Richard, the man friend have been apprehended to help with the investigations.

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.