Ntungamo District Chairman Samuel Mucunguzi Rwakigoba Ssalongo has praised local school heads for their resilience and dedication as effective stewards of public schools in the district.

His remarks came yesterday during the release of the Ntungamo District Primary Leaving Mock Examination results at St. Matthew’s Cathedral Kyamate in Ntungamo Municipality. Mucunguzi acknowledged the significant challenges facing the district, particularly the ongoing shortage of staff. He pointed out that many teachers have been serving as headteachers for extended periods, a situation that violates regulations. He assured attendees that he would address these staffing concerns within the current quarter of the financial year.

To alleviate the burdens caused by staff ceilings in government-aided schools, Mucunguzi pledged to increase staffing levels by 70%. He directed Chief Administrative Officer Mathius Ndifuna to prioritize the promotion and recruitment of qualified teachers in accordance with established service guidelines to fill existing gaps that have hindered the district’s academic performance.

Ndifuna emphasized the importance of head teachers being well-versed in professional regulations and making decisions based on educational statutes.

Bernard Ahabwe Mupenda, Chairperson of the district’s social services committee, recognized the commitment to improving school infrastructure, which includes the construction of 36 water tanks and four latrines, as well as other planned renovation activities for the current financial year. Mupenda, who is also the LCV councilor for Ruhaama Sub County, urged school heads to collaborate effectively despite challenging working conditions.

Emmanuel Katto, Chairperson of the Ntungamo Primary Schools Head Teachers’ Association, stressed the need for capable and competent examiners to ensure professionalism in both conducting and marking examinations. He reported that the mock examination papers, prepared by a team of knowledgeable UNEB examiners, met the required standards. However, he pointed out that while science saw the highest scores, many candidates struggled with reading comprehension and concept interpretation across all subjects.

A total of 11,807 candidates participated in the 2024 mock examinations, with results indicating that 1,669 achieved first division, 3,493 in second division, 1,817 in third grade, 3,124 in fourth grade, and 1,611 ungraded.

In terms of performance rankings, Kajara County emerged at the top, followed by Ruhaama, Ruhaama East, and trailing was Rushenyi County.

Mercy Orikiriza, the Inspector of Schools, encouraged both public and private school heads to intensify efforts to enhance academic performance in their institutions.

The event was attended by various dignitaries, including District Inspectors of Schools Robert Tuzarirwe and Francis Gumisiriza Ruhinja, among others.

Bushenyi Ishaka Municipality is facing a severe shortage of primary school teachers as a growing number of educators are opting for early retirement.

Saverio Mukobi Byarufu, the town clerk of Bushenyi Ishaka Municipality, revealed that in just one month, six teachers submitted their applications for early retirement. This trend poses a significant threat to the academic performance within the municipality.

During an address to school heads at the official release of mock examination results, Byarufu emphasized the importance of dedication and patriotism among teachers, urging them to fulfill their roles until the age of 60 before considering retirement.

He expressed concern that the increasing number of retirements would compromise service delivery to students, especially as schools are already facing staffing shortages.

Byarufu highlighted several factors contributing to the decision of teachers to retire early, including marital responsibilities, work-related pressures, and inadequate financial compensation.

At least seven people have been confirmed dead while over 30 have sustained injuries following a collision between a bus and a truck in Kirumba Village, Lwengo District, in the wee hours of Monday August 19 on the Masaka-Mbarara highway.

The accident occurred around 4 a.m. as a speeding bus, registration number UBQ 621 Z, owned by Gateway Bus Company, collided head-on with a Fuso Fighter truck, registration number UBM 673 K, which was loaded with sacks of maize flour. The truck was traveling from Masaka to Mbarara City. The deceased, who are yet to be identified, were reportedly on the bus coming from Kabale in western Uganda en route to Kampala.

Eyewitness Richard Ssekitoreko, chairperson of Kirumba Village, stated that many passengers on the bus sustained various injuries, while those in the truck also suffered multiple injuries, including fractures. He attributed the crash to the bus driver’s attempt to overtake another vehicle.

“The bus driver was in the process of overtaking a Jaguar bus when he miscalculated, resulting in a head-on collision with the oncoming truck,” Ssekitoreko explained.

Close to 69 passengers are believed to have been on board. Many of the injured were taken to local clinics in Kyazanga Town Council and Masaka Regional Referral Hospital.

Twaha Kasirye, Southern Regional Police Spokesperson, confirmed that a traffic team is on-site gathering information about the crash and revealed that, “I will provide a detailed statement once our team returns from the field.”

This incident marks the third fatal crash involving a bus on this highway in the past year. On August 28, 2023, a bus owned by Global Bus Company, registration number UBB 985 M, skidded off the highway, resulting in two deaths and over 20 injuries. Just days later, another accident involved a bus from Perfect Coaches, registration number UBF 025G, also skidded off the highway, killing at least two and injuring 17 others.

In response to the rising number of road accidents, police reintroduced Operation Fika Salama (Reach Home Safely) along major highways last year to combat reckless driving. Despite the road’s smooth surface and climbing lanes, the Masaka-Mbarara highway remains one of the country’s most accident-prone routes.

A devastating road accident on the Mbarara-Masaka Highway in Sanga Town Council, Kiruhura district has claimed the lives of two individuals early this morning.

The collision occurred at approximately 5:45am and involved two Fuso trucks; a milk tanker with registration number UBB 905J, traveling from the Masaka side, and a truck loaded with matooke, registered as UBG 727P, coming from Mbarara.

The victims have been identified as Mugabe Eric, 48, a resident of Kyazanga in Lwengo District, and Gumisirizi Abubakari, an adult male hailing from Isingiro District. Both men died instantly in the collision.

The driver of the milk tanker sustained serious injuries and was rushed to an unspecified medical facility within Mbarara City for treatment. Due to the severity of the accident, local authorities arrived at the scene shortly after the collision, but the bodies of the deceased had already been transported by family members to Kyazanga.

Initial investigations carried out by the Traffic Police suggest that reckless driving by both truck drivers may have been a significant factor in the incident. Witnesses at the scene reported that the trucks collided head-on, resulting in extensive damage to both vehicles.

SP Samson Kasasira, the Public Relations Officer for Rwizi Region, states that police are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.

He urged the public to observe road safety regulations and drive responsibly to prevent similar tragedies. “We cannot overemphasize the importance of safe driving. This accident is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by reckless behavior on the road,” he added.

Naboth Nandeeba, an aspiring candidate for the Kazo District Chairman LCV position and Operations Manager at Capacity Services, has donated seven culverts to the residents of Rwemengo and Mbogo parishes in Kanoni Sub County.

The donation, made yesterday, aims to facilitate the construction of a crucial bridge at Nyanja Point, which is located along the essential route connecting Kanoni, Mbogo, and Ekyambu.

Nandeeba’s donation was prompted by a direct appeal from local stakeholders who expressed their dissatisfaction with the poor service delivery from current district leadership. They outlined their pressing needs and specifically requested seven culverts for the bridge project.

Nandeeba responded promptly, providing the necessary funds to acquire the culverts.

Local residents, including Nuwamanya Michael and Lay Can. Edward Black, voiced their appreciation for Mr. Nandeeba’s generosity. They conveyed their gratitude and pledged their support for him in the upcoming elections.

The community has faced significant challenges, particularly during the rainy season, when the condition of the roads hampers their ability to transport agricultural produce. This ongoing issue has exacerbated local poverty levels, highlighting the urgent need for infrastructure improvements in the area.

In his remarks, Nandeeba expressed his gratitude to the residents for their commitment to the development of their community, emphasizing that the donation is just one part of his broader vision for enhancing the quality of life in Kazo District.