By Racheal Nuwahereza

Kenshunga animal market and loading site in Nyakasharara-Kenshunga Sub-county kiruhura district, was on Thursday 5^th May 2022 reopened after being closed for more a year.

The market closure was due to the outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) whose first phase is said to have been in December, 2020 in Kenshunga in Kiruhura district and later spread like a wildfire to the neighbouring districts.

This forced the district authorities to put tough measure mitigating the wide spread of FMD including the closing of animal loading sites.

Speaking during the reopening, Matsiko Perez Mujwani, the LC III chairman Kenshunga Sub-county said that FMD severely destroyed the economy as loading sites have for a long time been inactive.

Mujwani however revealed that after the re-opening, about 150 cows and 50 goats were brought for sale.

Matsiko urged the traders to emphasize quality and not to bring animals from other districts to the market which could return the disease.

He further asked the traders to be patient and appealed to the local council chairpersons not to grant permission to animals that have not been cleared by veterinary officers.

Mujwani said that for fear of FMD returning to hit Kiruhura, they will focus on its prevention and promised to iron out the remaining issues with the district authorities, adding that he is hopeful they will soon reach an agreement.

Credit Source: Mutatiina Medison

By Racheal Nuwahereza

Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU) in Kazo district has today held an election at Compassion hall in Kazo Town Council-Kazo District that saw Innocent Ahimbisibwe, the Headteacher St.Paul Rwemikoma Primary School elected the Union Chairperson.

Mugabo Katabarwa Enid, the presiding officer said the exercise was free and fair and moved on smoothly where she hailed the members for participation and the exhibition of maturity.

Tusingwire Jacklin Mutongore, a teacher at Bugarihe Primary School has been elected the Vice Chairperson, Bayenda Grace from Bishozi Primary School-Engari Sub-county elected the Treasurer, Mugabe  Medard from Ngomba Primary School is the new Branch Secretary.

Other committee members are; Kansiime Monica  from Kazo Secondary School, the new Secretary for Women Affairs, Tushemereirwe Gilvasio from Kitongore 1 Primary School, the new Secretary for Disputes and Welfare, while Kanyesigye Richard from Kyabahura 1 Primary School was elected Secretary for Planning and Organizing.

Speaking at the same function, Mugabo expressed concern over delayed recruitment of teachers to Government payroll arguing that for one to be on the payroll you find him or her in his or her 30’s whereby the district has failed to get a youth teacher representative to the National level to constitute the Quinquennial Delegates Conference (QDC).

The Elected Chairperson, Innocent Ahimbisibwe expressed his colleague’s dissatisfaction about the way the district transfers them, Adding that as per now there are some going to shift and they lack work identity cards.

In response, Agume Robert Rwabwizi, the Kazo District Education Officer said that transfers  are normal in public service.

Angume appreciated the achievements of the Union in the District saying that it helped them to reduce on teacher strikes in schools in Kazo district.

Credit Source: Mwebaze Deus

By Racheal Nuwahereza

Police in Kitagwenda District is holding Musambo Moses (20) on allegations of murder.

It is alleged that on the 06/02/2022 at around 8:00pm at Kiswara cell, Kagazi ward, Kabujogera Town council in Kitagwenda District, a one Kabate Moses (67), was beaten up by Musambo(his son) into comma after a misunderstanding where Musambo was denied by the father not to slaughter his chicken.

It is said that in the fight that ensued, Musambo used a piece of wood to seriously and repeatedly beat up his father until he became unconscious.

Kabate was then rushed to Kagongo hospital in Ibanda District from where he was referred to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, but he was later discharged after four days after realizing that his condition couldn’t be handled.

He was taken back home where he has been until Tuesday 03/05/2022 at around 03:00pm when he passed on.

Mugarura Henry, the DPC Kitagwenda says the suspect was arrested and on 17/02/2022, he appeared in court in Fort portal on charges of attempted murder and is currently on remand.

The deceased’s post-mortem has been done, report retrieved and the body has since been handed to relatives for burial.

By Racheal Nuwahereza

Police in Kazo district is investigating circumstances under which a two months old baby’s private parts were cut off.

Daphine Asingwire, the victim’s mother says on March 12^th 2022, she left her baby sleeping but she was shocked to find her one-month baby’s penis missing.  

In an incident that happened in Kafene village, Katongole parish, Migina Sub-county, Kazo district, Asingwire’s sister in-law identified as Winfred Nahwera who had come to their home for a visit called for her attention to the victim.

Asingwire who revealed that the incident happened shortly after they had shared family property says she suspected Nahwera to have committed the horrible crime. Nahwera convinced Asingwire that the baby had been bitten by a dog but she was prompted to report the matter to the police.

Manda Resty, the OC CID Kazo Police Station confirmed the incident saying Nahwera was arrested but released shortly after since the victim’s family failed to confidently hold the suspect accountable as they also suspected the baby to have been bitten by a dog.

Manda however appealed to anyone that might have any information to help with investigations as the case file is still open.

Kakuru Yasin, the NRM media activist western region and a well-wisher revealed that the family has incurred numerous medical bills and appealed to the general public to contribute towards the medical bills.

Asingwire and her family also reechoed an appeal to the government to help them with the case, the accumulating hospital bills and the upcoming operation of the victim.

By Racheal Nuwahereza

Police in Ibanda district have discovered the body of a 65 year old woman in her house.

The deceased identified as Dinavence Kimanyendwa, was a resident of Rwemengo I cell, Rwengwe parish, Kikyenkye Sub-county, Ibanda district whose body was reportedly found wrapped in a mattress in her house with her mouth tied.

Julius Bitwabaabo, the LC I chairperson Rwemengo cell says on Saturday evening, the deceased was attacked by unknown people as she was about to have supper. The assailants suspected the deceased had money; they attacked her and strangled her to death before taking off with unspecified amount of money and property.

SP Waibi Philbert, the Ibanda District Police Commander condemned the act and said that they are working day and Night to identify the assailants and bring them to book.

Police rushed to the crime scene and by press time, the body of the deceased has been taken to Ruhoko health center IV for a postmortem.

By Racheal Nuwahereza

Authorities in Kiruhura and Mbarara districts on Thursday witnessed the launch of a UGX 10b project that will oversee the reconstruction works of Kyenshama dam in Ankole sub region to serve the two districts during season of drought.

The function that was conducted in Kyenshama, the Kiruhura and Mbarara districts’ border was graced by leaders from the two districts, officials from the ministry of water and environment, the contractor; the Global International Services Limited under the management of Kwesiga Francis and the locals.

Dan Mukago Rutetebya, the LCV chairperson Kiruhura district who presided over the launch, called upon the ministry of water and environment to ensure the contractor provides site book for people monitoring the implementation of the project to sign and write down their comments during the eighteen month-long construction period.

Basil Bataringaya Rwankwene, the Member of Parliament Kashari north, Mbarara district explained that as the team had discussed with the contractor the water is mainly for production for crop and livestock farming and not for domestic use.

Mukago also urged the people to utilize just the water facility very well to remain clean and control siltation.

Twimobusingye Jovanice Rwenduuru, the Kiruhura district Woman Member of Parliament appreciated the government for thinking about it’s people by reconstructing Kyenshama dam that has been used as watering point for animals.

Rwenduru said women who have been spending a lot of time to come and fetch water from the dam now will be fetching water from nearby their homes and have time to do more domestic business.

She added that the improved dam, can be used for other important economic activities like fishing, promoting tourism and investment which were not there before.

Tayebwa Herbert, the Member of Parliament Kashongi requested local leaders to teach and guide the population to be hard working.

Kasagara Edward, the Chief Administrative officer (CAO) Mbarara district informed the public that memorandum of understanding between Kiruhura and Mbarara district on the sharing of local revenue from Kyenshama weekly market is yet to be approved and signed by solicitor general in Kampala to ensure amicable coexistence.

The construction of the dam comes as a fulfillment of the pledge by President Yoweri Museveni, for the 2021-2026 presidential term where Government proposed increased commercialization & competitiveness of agricultural production & agro-processing for increased export value of selected agricultural commodities.

This included the establishment new bulk water systems for multipurpose use for dams in select areas; Kyenshama Dam in Mbarara district, Geregere Dam in Agago district and Kyahi Dam in Gomba district among others.

Story from Frederick Anyine

By Racheal Nuwahereza

Authorities in Kitagwenda district have given encroachers in Kikoyo wetland an ultimatum of 21 days to vacate the swamp or face arrest and prosecution.

Responding to accusations by residents in Kitagwenda district, that the district only targets ordinary people for evictions from degraded wetlands, Anthony Karyegira, the Kitagwenda district natural resources officer said the encroachers who include big shots in the district were issued restoration notifications last week.

“We are giving them the benefit of doubt, if they refuse to comply, then we will move in fully and forcefully remove them, “said Karyegira in an interview on April 21.

Kalyegira reaffirmed their neutrality, explaining that there is no rich or poor in environmental conservation as all are under one law.

Notably, Nulu Byamukama, the Member of Parliament for Kitagwenda County was one of the encroachers whose eucalyptus trees were mowed down during last year’s massive eviction exercise from Kikoyo wetland where several acres of mature eucalyptus trees that were illegally planted in the swamp were cut down by the district and the regional wetlands office.

Currently, the district is planning to evict half a dozen other illegal occupants from River Mpanga gorge, said Kalyegira. 

Kalyegira revealed that the operation seeks to rid the river buffer zone within a range of 100 metres on either side as well as the entire stretch from Nyabani up to the point where River Mpanga pours its waters into Lake George, an estimated 800 hectares, of illegal activities like brick-making, vegetable growing and planting of eucalyptus trees and settlement.

From Stephen Nuwagira

By Racheal Nuwahereza

Residents of Kyarukobwa B cell, Kyaruhanga Ward, Kagongo Division, Ibanda Municipality in Ibanda district were on Tuesday evening left in shock after 20 year old man slit his throat with a sharp knife and bled to death.

The deceased identified as Andrew Lubega is said to have been working in a stone quarry site in Katoma for a long time.

An eye witnesses told our reporter that at around 6:30pm on Tuesday, the deceased picked a knife from children who were slicing cabbage and slit his throat and started running while he bled, until he collapsed and died.

Atuhaise Evelyne Nalongo who has been Lebega’s supervisor said that on
that fatefull day, Lubega turned up for work as usual and later in the evening requested for UGX 5,000 from his supervisor and after receiving the money, Lubega committed suicide.

Tophas Kabakama Muganda, the chairperson LC1 Kyarukobwa B cell said
that the deceased has been a well-known humble person in the village who had been sober since morning but the incident left them all in shock.

Elias Ahimbisibwe, the father to the deceased told our reporter that he last saw his son before Easter Celebrations and had since been staying with his mother in the trading center until Tuesday late evening when he received a call from people informing him about his son’s death.

The reasons behind his decision remain unclear.

Police from Ibanda Central Police Station rushed to the scene and took the body to Ruhoko heath center IV for postmortem as investigations into the matter continue.

By Racheal Nuwahereza

Police in Jinja are holding a man suspected to have killed his wife over the weekend. Moses Tenywa, a resident of Soweto village, Wakuluba- Masese, Jinja South Division is accused of having murdered his wife identified as Nalongo Annet Nabirye, 38.

Following a misunderstanding over a piece of land in Kaliro District, Tenywa, is said to have fatally stabbed Nabirye, with whom he had seven children and attempted to bury her in their home, just 20 metres away from their main house but was interrupted by the children.

Milly Gutu, a neighbour revealed that while the man resolved to sell the land, the deceased was against the idea, arguing that it was for their children.

Paul Batambuze, the area LC1 chairperson, said the couple has been having domestic issues for a while, especially after the sale of their land.

“This time, the wife demanded to know why he wasn’t putting their money to proper use and why he had sold their land, but he instead stabbed her to death before fleeing from the village,” said Batambuze.

James Mubi, the Kiira Region Police Spokesperson, confirmed the incident, saying after Nabirye learnt that he sold their land, the suspect fatally stabbed her on the cheeks, neck and the head and she died after bleeding profusely.

“It’s alleged that Moses Tenywa sold land and used money in things which don’t benefit the family and when the wife tried to blame him, he turned against her in anger and stabbed her to death,” said Mubi.

Police rushed to the scene and documented the evidence before ferrying the body to Jinja regional referral hospital and launched investigations into the matter.

Police, with help from the locals, launched a successful manhunt and on Saturday, the suspect was found in Buyengo Town Council, about 45Kms from the crime scene.

Mubi, said the fugitive was found unresponsive in a banana plantation after reportedly ingesting poison trying to commit suicide.

“He was rescued and arrested and is currently receiving treatment at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital and he will be duly charged,” said Mubi.

Mubi, noted that they have deployed three officers to watch over the suspect to stop him from endangering his life.

By Racheal Nuwahereza

Police in Jinja have launched a manhunt for God Lwampala, a boda boda rider and resident of Buwekula, Bugembe, Jinja city for allegedly killing his wife identified as Betty Namukuve, a food vendor at Kyabazinga Market, Bugembe.

Abbey Ngako, the police spokesperson confirmed the incident adding that for the last four years, the man had suspensions that his wife was cheating on him with other men and he on several occasions promised to kill her.

“We got information that the man started a 10-days countdown for his wife before he eventually murdered her,” Ngako said.

Jamawa Kwegemya, the LCI Chairperson Buwekula said the deceased reported the matter to her office and she reconciled the couple after listening to both sides.

“She told us that the man intends to kill her, and I deployed the village defence secretary to monitor the situation but it’s so unfortunate that we have lost a life,” said Kwegemya.

Kwegemya added that cases of domestic violence are on the increase and blamed police for granting suspects bond after they have been arrested.

Ngako in response blamed local authorities for not reporting the matter to police on time because if they had, the man would have been arrested.

The deceased’s body was conferred to Jinja regional referral hospital.