The minister of lands, housing and urban development, Hon. Judith Nabakooba has promised to protect squatters in Kitagwenda district from eviction.

In a meeting that took place on Wednesday at the Catholic Church in Katoogo trading centre,  Katoogo, Nyabihoko parish, in Kitagwenda district, Nabakooba told the people of Nyabihoko Parish, Kitagwenda district, popularly known as Bonafide (squatters) on the land, that the government will help them to acquire their land legally after a thorough investigation of the said area.

This was after dwellers raised concerns on the land in question saying a team from Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) came to do the mapping.

In fear of implementation of an earlier received eviction notice, the squatters called upon government to protect them from getting evicted from the land they have lived on for a long time.

Baheebwa Longine Byagagaire, the RDC Kitagwenda, revealed that he led a team that stopped the mapping from happening until the people are informed on why they are in the area and this was done.

Baheebwa noted that although the said owner of the land, a one Kobani has papers, she does not know where her land starts and ends.

Ismail Mushemeza, the LC V Chairman Kitagwenda district urged the area residents to endeavor to keep records of their landholdings as government finds a lasting solution to the land problems in the area.

After listening to their concerns, Nabakooba promised the squatters that a thorough investigation on the matter will be conducted for about two months and in early February 2023, a final report will be issued to pave a way forward for the squatters.

The Grade one magistrate’s court in Mitooma district has sentenced a 32 year old man identified as Ismail Matsiko to three months in prison for possession of narcotics.

The court that was presided over by her worship Anxious Natumanya heard that on 10/10/2022, while at Omukachenche village in Bukuba parish, Kashenshero sub-county, Mitooma district, the convict was found with a sack of marijuana in his house in a police operation that was led by Emmanuel Odeke.

The convict pleaded guilty to the charges and asked for a lesser punishment saying he had responsibilities at home to look at.

Delivering her judgment, her worship Natumanya noted that following the time the convict has spent on remand, he might have learnt a big lesson and therefore sentenced him to three more months in prison.

The Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Hon Judith Nabakooba has officiated the groundbreaking ceremony for the launch of USHUMID projects in Kamwenge district.

Nabakooba was accompanied by Hon Frank Tumwebaze, the Agriculture Minister who doubles as the Area Mp Kibale East to launch these projects in the sub-counties of Nkoma and Nkoma-Kataryeba town council in Kibale East, Kamwenge district.

In Nkoma Kataryeba town council the projects include, construction of market shade and Taxi Park, Mutwe-Kyamwera Road, Construction of Resource Center and construction of playground, while in Nkoma sub-county, the projects are construction of playground and resource center among others.

Speaking during the launch of the above projects, Minister Nabakooba commended residents of Kamwenge for voting NRM Government and MP Frank Tumwebaze adding that it has been his efforts to have this program in Kamwenge district.

Nabakooba also asked the contractors of Launched projects to ensure employment of local people in the area so as to allow them benefit from the program.

In his remarks, Minister Frank Tumwebaze appreciated the current peace in the district of Kamwenge adding that this has enabled him to lobby more Government programs in the area adding that more are still coming.

The USHUMID projects in Kamwenge district will cost UGX 16.18 billion.

Heavy Rains, lack of funds and poor machinery have been singled out as some of the challenges behind the poor road network in Bushenyi Ishaka municipality.

Seleverio Mukobi Byarufu the Bushenyi Ishaka municipality town clerk said the money from the Uganda Road Fund is not enough to work all the roads in the municipality.

Byarufu said that they have now received 40% of the total funds from the Uganda Road Fund saying if the rains continue, they will not work on some roads adding that if they do so, they will be causing more problems.

Adam Banyenzaki, the Bushenyi Ishaka municipality engineer said, they budgeted UGX 175M for the second quarter but they have only received UGX 67M from the Uganda road fund.

Banyenzaki said they intend to do spot murraming on 6Km of St. Kaggwa-Kabagarame-Omuruhita, and also on 1.6Km Irembezi-Kyabugimbi among others.

Banyenzaki said they are expecting another UGX 55M to do defects and drainage on 0.6 Km on Police- Kyeitembe Road in Bushenyi Ishaka municipality.

Ankole private sector promotion center limited (APROCEL), a non-governmental organization operating in Bushenyi district has donated items worth UGX 25m to inmates at Nyamushekyera government prison to improve their welfare.

Deogracious Twinomuhangi, the CEO Ankole private sector promotion center limited said they donated items that included saloon equipment, furniture, carpentry, sewing machines, tailoring workshops as well as entrepreneurship skills to enable them attain a skill which will help them out after their release.

Benon Karyaija, the Mitooma district LC V Chairperson who officiated the handover ceremony appreciated APROCEL for their move towards promoting hands-on skills which is one of the ways for easy rehabilitation and smooth community integration of prisoners.

Karyaija also asked the government to consider allowing these inmates to exercise their rights as this will prepare incarcerated individuals to live a positive life while in prison.

High court sitting in Bushenyi district has today withdrawn charges of aggravated defilement against a one Joram Nuwagaba.

Court presided over lady justice Joyce Kavuma dismissed charges the state slapped on Nuwagaba after the state failed to produce the credible evidence to court.

It is alleged that on 28^th May 2018 while at Nyarwanya village Bushenyi performed a sexual act with a 14 year old girl.

Prosecution led by Partson Baguma told court that Nuwagaba called the victim into his house to give her a phone to take to his neighbor for charging but when the victim entered, the accused grabbed her onto his bed and forced her into sexual intercourse.

Lady Justice Kavuma said that even though the state produced evidence that the victim was underage, it failed to produce credible evidence that the accused person really had performed the sexual act with the victim.

Accordingly, Lady Justice Kavuma dismissed charges against the accused due to lack of actual evidence.

Robert Rwakandare, the Director for political Mobilization in the office of the president of Uganda in state house has asked parents to take over the role of protecting their children against any danger while at home just like government has been protecting them at schools.

Speaking to our reporter during an exclusive interview, Rwakandare noted that parents should not allow children especially girls to wander around places where they can encounter problems during this 2-months holiday.

Rwakandare also urged the children to respect, listen and obey to parents as well as learning domestic chores that will help them in future.

Kamagara Godfrey, the district councilor representing Kagongo division in Ibanda district also asked parents to protect the children, teach them credible skills and make them busy during the holiday.

Mugisha Augustine, an Ibanda-based media activist also noted that parents should start early saving for school fees of next year instead of spending extravagantly during the Christmas season.

By Mutatiina Medison

The Kiruhura District Veterinary officer, Dr. Asiimwe Grace has insisted with affirmation that there is an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease-FMD in Kitagi cell Kenshunga sub-county Kiruhura though cattle keepers in areas oppose the confirmation.

Dr. Asiimwe revealed this on Tuesday during a meeting between district authorities and cattle farmers and traders at Kiyonza catholic primary school grounds where it was said that there is a case on one farmer’s farm in which the health of one of the cows has deteriorated severely.

According to Dr Asiimwe, blood samples were taken from six cows on this farm and that five came positive after two days which these farmers oppose asserting that the cow is suffering from unknown disease but not FMD.

Kiretwa Philimon, one of the cattle keepers said that the said sick cow is not suffering from FMD.

Dr. Asiimwe was seen unhappy because of being taken as a liar by farmers of Kitagi about blood sample results.

Addressing the same meeting, Dan Mukago, the Kiruhura District LC V chairman ordered veterinary doctors to treat the sick cow.

Matsiko Mujwani, the chairman for Kenshunga Sub-County also insisted that there is no FMD in his sub county.

According to World Organization for Animal Health, FMD is a severe, highly contagious viral disease of livestock characterized by fever and blister-like sores on the tongue and lips, in the mouth, on the teats and between the hooves leading to severe production losses.

By Mutatiina Medison