By Racheal Nuwahereza

The Social Assistance Grants for Empowerment (SAGE) beneficiaries from Kazo town council and Kazo Sub-county have this Wednesday received their payment at centenary bank cash point held at St. Johns church of Uganda in Kazo district.

A section of the beneficiaries have raised complaints about the pick-up point for this money being far away from their homes; adding that it is unfair to ask them to travel long distances of more than 3 kilometers to access payment.

The beneficiaries who were initially receiving UGX 25,000 per month but have this Wednesday received UGX 150,000 for three months.

The beneficiaries also argued that because of increased fuel prices, their transport costs are extremely high nowadays and higher than the money they receive.

They have appealed to the government to bring this service of payments to their villages and parishes.

Mugisha Benjamin, the councilor representing Kazo sub-county elders who doubles as the chairman elders Kazo also expressed his dissatisfaction about the long queues and the slow system used to give out money yet the people are too old.

Mugisha added that the beneficiaries were subjected to travelling long distances, high costs of transport and moving on boda bodas.

Dan Bwamunyoga, the district speaker Kazo thanked the government for giving the elderly people upkeep.

Bwamunyoga also observed that the beneficiaries faced the challenge of travelling long distances to get the money.

He promised that authorities from the district will write to Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social development to consider paying the elders from their villages or parishes.

In June 2015, the Ministry of Gender, Labour & Social Development made a decision to reach the vulnerable and often excluded sections of the population to achieve inclusive pro-poor, and equitable development.

In Uganda, Senior Citizens were the first target group through a Social Assistance Grants for Empowerment (SAGE) Scheme targeting older persons of 65 years and above under the Expanding Social Protection Programme.

This was aimed at enabling them to access basic services, and to start income generating activities.

Story by Paddy Byaruhanga

Following the presidential state of the nation address delivered by H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Tuesday, a section of boda boda riders in Kazo town council have expressed concern and dissatisfaction over the fuel prices remaining high. 

The riders say that they expected the president to take about the high fuel prices whereby currently petrol and diesel are sold at UGX 6,190 per litre in Kazo.

Zakayo Gujwire, one of the boda boda riders told Kazo FM that they have been forced to increase the transport fares that they demand from passengers to see how they can survive with their families urging the government to thoroughly look into this matter.

Zakayo added that they are no longer working for their families but working only for their bosses.

Robert Nuwamanya, the chairman boda boda health centre IV stage, said they expected the solution from the President’s address and since this failed, they are also going to increase transport fares soon.

Currently, transport fares are as follows;

No.	Destination	Previous fare(UGX)	Current fare(UGX)
1.	Kazo to Ibanda	15,000	20,000
2.	Kazo to Rwemikoma	8,000	10,000
3.	Kazo to Buremba	8,000	13,000
4.	Kazo to Engari	8,000	10,000
5.	Kazo to Kanoni	8,000	10,000
6.	Kazo to Kijuma	7,000	10,000
7.	Kazo to Mugore	15,000	20,000
8.	Kazo to Rushere	15,000	20,000
9.	Kazo to Kinoni	25,000	30,000
10.	Kazo to Burunga	15,000	20,000

Story by Byaruhanga Paddy

By Racheal Nuwahereza

A section of farmers in Kamwenge district have reported an outbreak of Banana Bacterial Wilt Disease.

The disease commonly known as “kajunde” in Runyankole language was first Identified in the plantation of Twesigye Joseph, a resident of Mutwe cell, who has a banana plantation along Mutwe-Kyamwera Road in Nkoma Ward, Nkoma Kataryeba town council, Kibale East constituency, in Kamwenge district.

Twesigye says he started noticing small signs of the disease in his plantation in the month of March, adding that he is worried that he might lose 3 acres of banana plantation to this Banana bacteria wilt.

Milton Musherure, the LC1 chairperson told our reporter that they identified one case in this village and they decided to mobilize locals to fight this disease  by  putting up preventive measures.

Musherure also lauded Twesigye for alerting local authorities and agriculture officers about this disease before it spread to other places.

Mohammed Owoyesigire, the agriculture officer for Nkoma-Kataryeba on phone, confirmed the outbreak of this disease in Mutwe cell adding that he also received another case from Ntuntu II, Buregyeya Ward, also in Nkoma-Kataryeba Town council making a total of 2 cases in the whole town council.

Owoyesigire said they are doing everything possible to stop the further spread of this disease.

The major characteristics of the disease are yellowing and complete wilting of the plant starting with the most peripheral leaves. After wilting, the leaves tend to droop and the plant eventually stops growing and dies.

By Racheal Nuwahereza

Hundreds of believers have today gathered at St. Paul Kazo Catholic Parish, Kazo Town Council, Kazo District to commemorate the Uganda Martyrs Day 2022.

Rev. Fr Braise Ndyabangira, who led the mass told the believers that to endure persecution with the energy and supernatural power(Holy spirit) like that of the celebrated martyrs in order to receive prizes from the Lord.

He told believers that the lives of the persecuted Innocent believers are celebrated and that everyone should bear in his or her heart that he/she can become a martyr with Faith.

Father Ndyabangira noted that some cases of today’s local persecution include; Hatred, Domestic Violence, and Prolonged Sickness among others. He however told to the Church that the ones who endure these kinds of persecutions shall prosper and overcome every situation.

He further urged the church to pray constantly because there are people the same kind of ignorance and arrogance of a man like Kabaka Mwanga II, the then Kabaka of Buganda Kingdom. 

From the start of his reign in 1884, King Mwanga II, viewed foreign missionaries as a great threat to his kingdom and power. He expelled missionaries and threatened converts to renounce their new faith or face execution.

On June 3rd 1886, 32 young men were burned to death at Namugongo for their refusal to renounce Christianity. They were a combination of Anglican and Catholic converts. In total, 23 Anglican and 22 Catholic converts to Christianity were executed between January 31st 1885 and January 27th 1887.

Mwanga’s actions led to a British backed revolution which overthrew the King in 1888. Mwanga negotiated with the British and in exchange for handing over some of his sovereignty to the British East Africa Company, the British helped reinstate Mwanga to the throne in 1889. In 1897, he was disposed and he converted to Anglican while in exile.

In 1920, the Catholic Church beatified the 22 Catholic martyrs and in 1964, they were canonized as Saints of the universal Church.

Each year Uganda Martyrs Day attracts millions of pilgrims with many coming from beyond Uganda flock Namugongo in commemoration of the martyrs in form of prayers, pilgrimage, merry making and singing praises.

Story by Mwebaze Deus

By Racheal Nuwahereza

George Bakunda, the Ibanda district resident commissioner (RDC) has advised proprietors of entertainment places, businesses like mobile phone vendors and church leaders in Ibanda, to stop playing uncontrolled music through loudspeakers because that noise violates other people’s rights to a quiet environment and decent sleep.

The RDC who was addressing a stakeholders’ meeting at his office, added that if the night economy endangers security and the environment in Ibanda, the authorities will have to come in and apprehend the culprits including facing arrest and prosecution.

Bakunda explained that the noisy environment has aided many thefts, break-ins and other crimes to be committed in Ibanda town since the criminals strike unnoticed.

Philbert Waibi, the Ibanda district Police commander (DPC) said the intervention by the security follows numerous complaints from the public over the noise produced by churches, device vending shops, entertainment places like bars and night clubs, among others.

“However, we want to work together to ensure harmony and peace for everyone. At times, you find a single person in a church praying amid high levels of noise from loudspeakers. Your activities and business should not trample on the rights of other people,” Waibi told the meeting.

The meeting was attended by church leaders, the business community in Ibanda, Ibanda Municipal Division chairperson, and security personnel, among others.

Story by Stephen Nuwagira

By Racheal Nuwahereza

The Parliamentary health committee in the 11^th parliament has today visited Kazo Health Centre IV in Kazo district to assess the conditions under which the facility is operating.

The committee led by Hon. Joel Ssebikali,  the Ntwetwe County MP who doubles as the deputy chairperson of the committee,  has observed that the condition found at the facility is fairly good as the Medics are not on strike and the sanitation is fair.

The committee however observed that the mortuary is not up to the required standard, and the theatre needs to be worked on, the OPD accommodates a large number of patients yet its small, some buildings are small, some workers of the facility rent outside, there is a lack of Ambulance, and that the facility needs to be improved to a district hospital level among others.

Ssebikali assured the residents of Kazo district that he will make sure that these problems are reported on the floor of parliament.

Hon Dr. Ninkusiima JohnPaul, the Ibanda South county legislator and Hon.Francis Zaake Butebi, the Mityana Municipality legislator who were also part of the committee promised to give reports about the conditions of government health  facilities found in the South western region of Uganda.

Al Hajji Umar Mawiya Lule, the Kazo district Resident District commissioner (RDC) applauded the parliamentary team for the surprise visit and noted that this gives the people of Kazo a ray of Hope that  Health services  are  going  to  be  improved.

Story by Mwebaze Dues

By Racheal Nuwahereza

Police in Kazo are investigating circumstances under which a 38 year old man was murdered.

The deceased has been identified as Barekye Moses, a resident of Rwekishwaga Village, Bugarihe Parish, Rwemikoma Sub-county in Kazo district.

Kababiito Immaculate, the deceased’s wife told Kazo FM that her husband had been missing  for four days but she was shocked to be called that the body of her Husband had been found in the bush while decomposing.

Kababiito asked the police to do thorough investigations and reveal the killers of the father of their Five Children.

On Saturday last week, Police from Kazo Police station visited the crime scene and picked the body, took it to Kazo Health Centre IV for autopsy and later returned the body to the relatives for burial on Sunday.

Manda Resty, the OCID-Kazo Police Station says they have so far have arrested five suspects in connection with this crime and these include  Baine Alfred, Kabagambe Abert, Alex  Madongo, Mugabe Madongo and  another only identified as Mabondo and  the investigations into the matter continue.

Story by: Mwebaze Deus

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