Ibanda chief magistrate’s court has remanded two suspected vanilla thieves to Nyabuhikye government Prison.

Court presided over by his worship Aloysius Natwijuka heard that Edson Abaho, 32,  reportedly stole 6kg of fresh vanilla beans worth UGX 240,000 from his employer on December 8^th 2022.

Abaho, a resident of Nyakatookye in Kagongo Division, Ibanda Municipality was hired by John Kweyamba as a night guard in his vanilla garden, but the suspect allegedly stole the fresh vanilla beans he was employed to safeguard.

The suspect was arrested by Police on December 10^th while trying to sell the beans and charged accordingly.

Ronald Rukundo, of Ibanda town, the would-be-buyer suspected that Abaho could be a thief since it is not yet the harvest season for vanilla and he alerted the Police who laid in wait for him.

Relatedly, Jonah Twinamatsiko, 24, a resident of Mahega II in Kyeikucu, Kagongo Division in Ibanda Municipality also faces two counts of vanilla theft.

Twinamatsiko is suspected to have stolen 30 kilos of fresh vanilla pods valued at about UGX 1.5m from Ivan Tumuhimbise on December 10^th.

He also allegedly stole another 20kg of fresh vanilla beans valued at over UGX 1m from a 76-year-old farmer Enos Kakashaari on the same night.

Court heard that the suspect was arrested by Police in neighbouring Kitagwenda district while trying to sell the beans in Kabujogera town council.

The duo’s alleged thefts contravene sections 254(i) and 261 of the Penal Code Act and they are liable to up to 10 years in jail for each count if found guilty.

Both suspects denied the charges while appearing before the chief magistrate’s court and were subsequently remanded to Nyabuhikye prison until January 3^rd, 2023 when their cases will come up for hearing.

Boda Boda riders in Engari sub-county, Kazo district under their umbrella body; Engari Boda Boda Tukore Group have elected their new leadership for 2023/2024.

Following their constitution guidelines, the riders were required to have this election to fill positions of leadership following their predecessors’ end-of-term in office.

In an election held at Engari parish headquarters, Kamukama Denis was elected the new chairperson Boda Boda riders‘ Engari Tukore with 41 votes against his opponent Musinguzi Innocent who scored 29 votes.

Kamukama assured all boda boda riders that he will focus on uniting them as well as pushing the group to make Sacco of Boda Boda.

“I want to call my opponents and the entire boda boda fraternity to purposely unite for our success,” said Kamukama.

Bitariho Alex, the outgoing chairperson of the Engari Tukore group urged the Boda Boda incoming leadership to keep the group going on requesting sustainability to another step from where he left them cooperating.

In his closing remarks as the guest of honor, Nandeeba Naboth, the operations Manager of Kazo FM radio urged the newly elected leadership to defend the group constitution to ensure that they work according to the interests of the majority as well as spreading the gospel of working for household income.

Organizers of Ishaazi Ryaitu Kabweitu have been praised for being innovative and starting a cultural galla that will always help many people especially the youth to preserve their culture.

The Ishaazi ryaitu Kabweitu cultural galla which took place on Friday at Kazo Secondary School in Kazo town council, Kazo district attracted local leaders, civil servants, business community, and exhibitors from around the Western region among others.

Speaking as guest of honour, Tumukurate Silvester, the Deputy RDC Kazo district appreciated the organizers and highly praised the culture galla asking the proprietors to consistently hold this event.

Rev Samuel Mugisha Katugunda, the chairman LC V Kazo appreciated the organizers of Ishaazi ryaitu Kabweitu and encouraged them to always engage the district  sports and culture department for technical, moral or financial support adding that such things help the country.

Katugunda also appreciated Kazo FM radio for promoting the culture and mobilizing people to come and showcase their skills.

Living Nuwagaba, the chairman organizing committee of Ishaazi Ryaitu Kabweitu revealed that they organized this galla to bring back the culture and help the youth explore opportunities that are available back home without going on the streets looking for jobs.

Nkaija Wilson, the district NRM chairman also noted that if continued, the Ishaazi ryaitu Kabweitu cultural galla will bring back respect to people and their culture.

The skills showcased at the Ishaazi ryaitu Kabweitu cultural galla include, Okufukana, Okusa, okutera Obwaato, Okwevuga interpretation of different words like Okushakira among other skills and over 30 participants received certificates of participation.

Ibanda University has donated assorted items, including foodstuffs like sugar, milk, bread, soap, cakes, sweets, cooking oil and posho to Ibanda Babies Home in Kagongo, Ibanda Municipality.

The home looks after abandoned children and some orphans from across the western region.

While handing over the items, George Zombeire, the Ibanda University secretary, lauded the home for looking after the abandoned children adding that the visit to the home by university officials was part of activities ahead of its sixth graduation ceremony scheduled for December 2^nd 2022.

Patrick Turyamureeba, who represents businessman Patrick Bitature on the university board, called on other organizations and the public to support the home to enable it cater for the needs of the children.

Rev Sister Elizabeth Ninsiima, the home administrator, appreciated the university for the donation, saying the home has no permanent donors and depends solely on public donations to provide for the children.

Ibanda Babies Home is currently looking after 21 kids that were abandoned in different districts across the region including Kamwenge, Ibanda, Sheema, Mitooma, and Isingiro. The children are mainly brought to the home by the Police after rescuing them while others are orphans. 

A three year old child has been confirmed dead and two others injured following an incident in which a house collapsed on them on Sunday night in Mpasha, Rukiri sub-county in Ibanda South County.

The deceased identified as John Byamugisha, was only three and a half years born to Peninah Kasande.

His three-month-old sister survived together with the mother who both sustained minor injuries from falling debris.

Following a heavy downpour on Sunday afternoon, the family’s wattle and mud house collapsed on the occupants at around 8.30pm.

A section of neighbours said the rains could have further weakened the house’s last anchor points and it came down in one big thud.

According to the neighbours, John Turyajuna, the father to the deceased was away at work in Nyabuhikye at the time of the horrible incident.

Marcelino Turyahabwe, an uncle to the deceased, was the first to arrive at the scene. He said the boy was removed from the debris after about 30 minutes and rushed to the nearest clinic in Mpasha trading centre.

Unfortunately, he died as they were approaching the trading centre.

Stella Maris Kansiime, the area LCI vice-chairperson, attributed the incident to the negligence of the victim’s parents saying the boy could not have died if the parents took time to safeguard the house by digging trenches to divert the water from reaching the foundation of the house.

The Ibanda chief magistrate’s court has sentenced two men to jail terms at Nyabuhikye Prison for stealing bananas.

Court presided over by his worship Aloysius Natwijuka sentenced Asaph Tumusiime, a resident of Kitwe in Ibanda Municipality to three months in prison by for stealing a bunch of bananas from a neighbour’s plantation while Paul Baryakaijuka, another banana thief was handed six months behind bars by the same court.

Appearing before the court on Wednesday November 23^rd , Tumusiime and Baryakaijuka confessed to stealing the bananas which contravenes sections 254 and 261 of the Penal Code Act.

Prosecution led by Ali Ssemakula said that Baryakaijuka stole two bunches of bananas worth UGX 40,000 from Innocent Mugizi’s banana plantation on November 18^th.

The convict was arrested with the help of a sniffer dog, which was introduced at the crime scene and led the Police to Baryakaijuka’s home.

He was arrested and taken to Ibanda Police Station and charged accordingly.

Court was told that the other convict (Tumusiime) was caught in the act of stealing one bunch of bananas from Ruth Natukunda of Kitwe in Ibanda Municipality on November 19^th and arrested by a guard employed by the plantation owner.

Tumusiime also admitted to the crime before court.

While sentencing the two individuals, his worship Natwijuka said they did not waste court’s time, handing Tumusiime a three-month jail term while Baryakaijuka got six months.

Prosecution had prayed for deterrent sentences, saying banana thefts were rampant in the magisterial area of Ibanda.  

Theft attracts a maximum sentence of 10 years.