The Resident District Commissioner(RDC) Mbarara district, Turyabagyenyi Emmanuel Kateera, expressed his heartfelt appreciation for the public servants of Mbarara District Local Government who have served diligently until retirement, as well as those who have transitioned to other organizations without complaints or regrets.

Turyabagyenyi conveyed his gratitude while officiating at a farewell party held for retired officers and those who have transferred their services at Bwindi Destination Hotel in Kamukuzi, Mbarara.

He encouraged the retired officers to reflect on their careers and recognize the legacy they have created for their successors to emulate in the pursuit of quality service delivery to the public.

The RDC cautioned heads of departments to mentor their subordinates rather than stifle them by monopolizing office tasks and resources. He emphasized that it is shameful for anyone to attempt to dominate office duties with the intention of restricting access to essential services and undermining human rights due to a lack of coordination and honesty.

Turyabagyenyi also urged local council leaders and district/sub-county levels to consider appointing retired public servants to commissions and boards to leverage their expertise.

Kagaba Allan Rukiri, the head of human resources, commended the retired public servants for appearing healthy and well-presented, which reflects their engagement in activities that generate income.

Moreover, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer of Mbarara District, Mrs. Tinks Betty Kamugisha, thanked the local leadership of Mbarara City, both the political wing and the technical team, for offering a warm welcome to public servants transitioning from the district.

Mbarara City MP Applauds President for Providing Free Foot and Mouth Disease(FMD) Vaccines, Launches Vaccination Program to Boost Livestock Farming

Member of Parliament for Mbarara City, Hon. Rita Atukwasa Bwahika, has appreciated the President of Uganda for providing free Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccines to assist livestock keepers in Mbarara City.

Hon. Atukwasa informed the livestock farmers that the FMD vaccine is free and safe, urging them to hand over all their animals for vaccination to ensure the vaccine is put to good use by vaccinating all animals in the city.

Hon. Rita Atukwasa made these remarks while officially launching the FMD vaccination program in Mbarara City South Division, Mbarara, at Nyakayojo. She emphasized that the vaccine is provided free of charge and it is important for farmers to get mobilized and permit the veterinary team to access and administer the vaccine.

The Mbarara City Production Officer and City Veterinary Officer, Dr. Amanyire Moses, said the launch is meant to extend services and create awareness among the Mbarara City South Division residents. He explained that the launch was aimed at creating awareness and providing accurate information about the free FMD vaccination facilitated by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, where farmers only need to avail their animals and present their national identification cards for proper record-keeping.

Dr. Amanyire further explained that the FMD vaccination exercise is guided by government laws under the “Animal Disease Control Act,” and anyone who fails to bring their animals for vaccination will be handled and charged with sabotaging government programs.

The Mayor of Mbarara City South Division, Jomo Mugabi, requested the government to provide harsh punishments against known serial livestock thieves who are applying their own criminal tactics to steal and sabotage government programs aimed at fighting government policies.

Residents of Kyampangara I ,Kyampangara Parish, Kyampangara Subcounty ,Kazo district woke up to shock in the morning of Friday July 26 following the murder of a 25 year old man.

The deceased has been identified as Fred Bainomuhangi,25 who was allegedly murdered by his colleagues in the wee hours of Friday morning.  The deceased who originates from Rubirizi district has been a casual labourer in the area for almost a year. At the time of his death, Fred was employed at a local bakery in Kyampangara village.

According to the Chairman LC I, James Katsigazi and his Defence Secretary, Francis Siniya , they  were able to arrest four suspects who are now in custody at Kyampangara Police Post. The authorities are waiting for  their transfer to Kazo Central Police Station and as well retrieve the body from the scene for a postmortem.

Bernard Mugabi Kafure, the LC III chairman for Kyampangara sub county has condemned  the act  and encouraged residents to avoid excessive drinking of alcohol and drug abuse. He further encouraged people to endeavor to resolve their conflicts before they escalate to such horrible incidents.

Ham Rubinika, the  District councilor , has also condemned the act and discouraged residents  from taking the law in their hands as a way of resolving their misunderstandings.

By Press time, the body of the deceased was still lying in the trading center as the locals were waiting for police from Kazo Central Police Station to retrieve it.

Buhweju County legislator, Hon. Francis Mwijukye was given a heroes’ welcome on Friday July, 19 back to the constituency which he represents in the 11th Parliament. Mwijukye who has been hospitalised for close to three months at Agha Khan Hospital in Nairobi Kenya was attacked and injured while responding to a land conflict on May 12, 2024 at Rwanyamabare Catholic Church, Nyakishana Subcounty in Buhweju District.

The Member of Parliament had obtained a complaint from church goers of Rwanyamabare Catholic Church and members of Rwanyamabare Farmers Association, who alleged that their church was at risk of demolition by a one Kamugisha Frank. Kamugisha, a neighbor with whom the church is in a land dispute hired people to guard the land and deter people from accessing facilities including the church on this land.

In response to the complaint, the legislator moved to the scene where he was confronted by a group that was armed with sticks. From the confrontation, he sustained serious injuries to the head. He was rushed to Nsiika Health Centre IV, in Buhweju District for first aid and then Divine Mercy Hospital in Mbarara City. He was later referred to Nakasero Hospital for further management. Following the sensitivity of the injuries sustained on his head, the legislator was referred to Agha Khan Hospital in Nairobi ,Kenya where he has been admitted for close to three months.

 Mwijukye who was clad in a Kaunda shirt and his trademark kangaroo cap waved a V-sign relentlessly at his cheering supporters who had been eagerly waiting for him at Bukiro T/C , Kashari South in Mbarara District. Posters bearing Mwijukye’s portrait with inscriptions, “MP Waitu Mwiju Kuruka abatemu.Webare Kugaruka.Mp Waitu. Owaitu Buzima”loosely translated for “Our Member of Parliament, Mwijukye, congratulations upon surviving. Well be back, Our Member of Parliament. Ours indeed” were being waved by motorists who were also waving tree branches in jubilation.

He drove through Bukiro T/C, a town Council in Mbarara District that boarders with Buhweju County (Buhweju District) on the West, through Katara, Nyakishojwa, Kyankanda up to Bwoga Primary School playground, where the celebrations were hosted. This playground has hosted a number of Mwijukye’s life mark events amongst them, his 2015 wedding.

Speaking to his supporters and well-wishers, Mwijukye was thankful to God for saving his life after a nasty attack on his life and to the people of Buhweju who kept him in constant prayer. He thanked his friends, supporters and well-wishers for the warm reception. He asked those who hold authority to use it to serve justice and not injustice.

Mwijukye further encouraged people of Rwanyamabare to keep hopeful since the Inspector General of Police,Abbas Byakagaba has already been notified about the matter and that all those who had a hand in the attack will be brought to book. However, since the incident in May, no suspect has been arrested.

The function was graced by politicians, entertainers, the religious men and women, supporters and well-wishers of Hon. Francis Mwijukye.

Mbarara district has designated 12 acres of land in Mitoozo Parish, Kashare sub-county, to the Ministry of Education and Sports for the construction of the district’s first technical school.

Fred Mwesigye, the head of scholarships at the Ministry of Education and Sports, disclosed that on September 29, 2023, he wrote to the Minister for Education and Sports, Janet Kataaha Museveni, who is also the First Lady, to remind her of the necessity to build a technical school in the district.

He said the technical school is to cater to the large number of youth in the district who cannot afford higher education.

While today touring the site where the technical school is planned to be built, Mwesigye, accompanied by leaders from Kashare sub-county, warned politicians against interfering with the construction of the school.

Mwesigye stated that the project will begin soon and is estimated to cost around 1.4 billion shillings.

Deus Ndyanabo, the mayor of Nyabisirira town council, praised the government for bringing the services of a technical school to the area.

It’s important to highlight that the government has committed to establishing vocational training institutes in every district to support and promote technical vocational education and training.

Police in Kazo district are investigating conditions under which Emmanuel Sande, 54, was allegedly shot-dead by a security guard attached to Saracen Security Company Ltd on Monday July 15 while at George Kwame’s farm in Kazo II, Central Ward, Kazo Town Council.

Sande, a resident of Kanyarigiri, Nyamarebe sub county Ibanda district  was shot in the back by a security guard, Micheal Mujurizi who works with Saracen private Security Company Ltd on Monday at around 7:30pm after he had crossed to the farm where he had allegedly gone to collect firewood.

Rwizi Regional Police Spokesperson, Samson Kasasira confirmed the incident and further revealed that the suspect is under detention as police continues to carry out investigations. Kasasira asked people to avoid trespassing as a way of minimising such incidents.

Justus Mugume, Chairperson LCI Kazo II, the area in which the incident happened was concerned about the incident and expressed sympathy to the deceased and his family but revealed that he was bothered by the way Sande’s life ended. He described the late as a peace-loving man who was never involved in any bad acts.

The deceased will be laid to rest today Thursday July 18 in Kanyarigiri Nyamareebe Ibanda district.

Nsubuga Zirimenya, the former Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for Kazo District has commended the political and technical staff at the district as  well as residents in the area for creating an enabling working environment , which eased his implementation of government projects and programs in his last four years of service .

Zirimenya, who offered what many described as four years of fruitful service was posted to Kazo in 2021 replacing Leonard Tumusiime, the pioneer Chief Administrative Officer.

He was transferred to Kiboga District and he will be succeeded by Hajj Badru Mayanya, who was also transferred from the south western district of  Kisoro.

Speaking at his farewell held at the district head quarters on Monday July,15,2024, Zirimenya extended gratitude to the political and technical staff as well as residents in the district for cooperating with him in the last four years.

He also requested the incoming CAO to follow up the issue of building Burunga Seed School and promoting the technical staff who offer exceptional service in their areas of jurisdiction.

Hon. Dan  Atwijukire Kimosho, the Kazo county Member of Parliament who was also the Chief Guest at the function thanked Mr. Zirimenya for the good contribution and achievements towards the development of Kazo district.

Hon. Janipher Muheesi, the district Woman Member of Parliament welcomed  the new Chief Administrative Officer and pledged full .

Silvester Tumukurate, Deputy Resident District Commissioner expressed gratitude to Zirimenya for being hard working, co-operative officer that listens to everyone and above all, a unifier. He took the opportunity to ask all workers to always create good relationships at their places of work. He pledged co-operation with the new CAO.

Rev. Samuel Mugisha Katugunda  ,the LCV chairperson applauded the outgoing CAO for being a good team builder with humane and hardworking attributes that have gone scarce of late especially in civil service. He welcomed the new CAO and assured him of staff support and co-operation during his tour of duty and encouraged him to team up with all staff in the fight against corruption.

The incoming head of civil service at the district encouraged civil servants to receive his approach to and system to work noting that he will promote those who will exude exceptional abilities at work.

Police in Mbarara have arrested two Bwizibwera Health Centre IV workers for allegedly establishing ghost health facilities with intention of stealing government drugs valued at over Ugx12million in past four years. 

The Mbarara district LCV Chairman, Tabaro Didas confirmed the report saying they are district workers and police have been directed to take action as recommended by the district security committee against the two suspects on charges of stealing government drugs . 

Tabaro revealed this during a press conference conducted at Bwizibwera police station in Bwizibwera Rutooma town council Kashari south Mbarara district yesterday.

He explained that the case of stealing was proved from the forged stamps used to sign and stamp on illegal documents by Kiyingi Edward, the dispenser and Timwijukye Florence, the store keeper serving at Bwizibwera Health Centre IV in Mbarara district.

The Resident District Commissioner(RDC) Mbarara, Turyabagyenyi Emmanuel Kateera said as central government representative is mandated to monitor  government programs including delivery of government drugs in health facilities.

He said of recent, he received a letter from ministry of health questioning shortfalls in the accountability of the drugs delivered from financial year 2021/2022, 2022/2023, indicating that only fifty percent of the drugs that were delivered were accounted for.

Turyabagyenyi revealed following recommendations from the district security committee that Tumwijukye Florence in charge of stores at Bwizibwera Health Centre IV has been involved in forging official stamp of the District Health Officer and signatures of assistant district health officers to steal.

Tumwijukye requisitioned many drugs, distributed them to non existent health facilities of Rukiri and Rushambya health centre 11s which don’t exist in Mbarara district.

Turyabagyenyi further revealed that from preliminary police investigations, the alleged stolen drugs are valued at over Ugx12million.

Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipal Council authorities together with officials from Ministry of works and Transport have set August 1 as the day for Ishaka Taxi park to begin its operations. 

The commissioner for transport and licensing in the ministry of works and transport, Winston Katushabe revealed that progress of work at the park was still on going. He further urged the contractors to fix the essential requirements that would guarantee the operations of the park on the fixed date.

Katushabe said this during a monitoring exercise in the municipality yesterday, Wednesday July,10. He further encouraged the municipality leaders to fix street lights , avail land for a police post,  construct a shade for passengers in the park to ensure safety of buses , tax and passengers.

Currently buses and taxis are operating along the streets which has resulted into congestion and double parking. This puts the vehicles and other road users at a risk of fatal accidents.

 Richard Byaruhanga, the Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality Mayor said that they will begin to enforce the guidelines on August 1 so as to decongest the main street. He also appealed to taxi operators and bus owners to adhere to the changes to ease operations of the transport business.

Abaturagye b’ekyaaro ekya Katunguru, omumumuruka gw’Irwaniro, egomborora ya Kikyenkye omu disiturikiti y’lbanda eihangwe ryanyomwabazyo bagwereirwe akagwe. Eki kibeireho bwanyima y’omwishiki amanyirwe nka Pamela Nuwahereza owemyaaka 19 kwiita ishe.

Nyakufa amanyirwe nka Richard Muhangaazi owemyaaka 50, omuturagye wekyaaro nikyo kimwe.

Bamwe ahabaturagye abagambireho n’omunyamakuru waitu omukyicweeka eki bagizire ngu omugyenzi abaire nabingisa omuhaara omwaana owuyazarire ahamaheega arikwenda ngu amutwarire eishe nyakumutweeka. Omwishiki eki akakyangira kimwe niikwe kugweera ishe abyaami eihangwe rya nyomwazyo bwanyima y’okuruga omumusiri akamutematema akafeeraho.

Nuwahereza atyo airukiire aha kitenshani Kya polisi ey’lgorora bwanyima atyo aijurirwe yatwarwa aha polisi y’lbanda Obwe okucondooza okwakubasa kuba kwarigwaho Ekikorwa ekyi kwaaba nikugyenda omumaisho.