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

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.