Police in Mbarara have confirmed the release of three individuals this evening. The three include Justus Nkwasibwe the husband of Judith Kyarisiima, a deceased senior midwife at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital whose decomposing body was discovered in River Rwizi after she went missing from her home in Katete Central Cell on September 2, 2024.
A postmortem report indicated that Kyarisiima died by drowning. Her body was found on the riverbank on September 10, 2024.
SP Samson Kasasira, the Rwizi Regional Police spokesperson, stated that the suspects had been held since last month but were released due to insufficient evidence.
Ongoing investigations aim to determine if the drowning was accidental, a suicide, or the result of foul play.
Jolly Kyomugasho Mugisha, the Western Region’s Vice President for National Unity Platform (NUP), has passed on following weeks of being admitted at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital in a coma.
NUP President Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, confirmed her death in a statement on his X (formerly Twitter) honoring her as “a true Ugandan heroine” for her significant contributions to the party and nation.
Kyomugasho, a trained social worker and dedicated politician, joined NUP in July 2020 and led the party’s efforts in Western Uganda. She also served as vice chair of Uganda’s National Consultative Forum for all registered political parties and organizations (N.C.F), representing her party.
Kyomugasho’s commitment to social change began early in life, fueled by the patriarchal challenges she faced, being the only one of seven sisters to complete her education. Throughout her career, she focused on promoting unity, civic engagement, and training legislators for effective governance striving to create positive change in Uganda.
Police in Bushenyi are investigating the circumstances surrounding the fatal stabbing of a 29-year-old man in Kizinda. The deceased has been identified as Isaiah Natumanya, a boda boda rider and resident of Kizinda in Bushenyi District. The primary suspect in the case is Brian Tugumeine who is also a boda boda cyclist who resides in Kagati Cell, Kizinda Town Council.
According to Greater Bushenyi region police spokesperson, Martial Tumusiime, the incident occurred on September 17, 2024, around 12:00am. Natumanya had gone to Bruce’s Bar to watch a football match but after the match, his cousin, Esther Asasira, arrived to pick him up. Upon finding Natumanya standing alone outside the bar, Asasira began to escort him home.
However, as they walked a few steps, Tugumeine allegedly approached from behind and stabbed Natumanya before fleeing the scene. Asasira, realizing what had happened, left Natumanya and pursued the suspect. With the assistance of security guards from Kings Betting Company, Kizinda, the suspect was apprehended and reported to the police.
Tumusiime stated that after being stabbed, Natumanya managed to walk to a nearby clinic, where he was treated before being transferred to Ishaka Adventist Hospital. Unfortunately, he was later pronounced dead. The investigations into the incident are ongoing as authorities gather more information.
The National Drug Authority (NDA), a body tasked with protecting and promoting public health through effective regulation of human and animal medicines has closed 79 drug outlets in Southwest Uganda.
During a press briefing following a week-long compliance enforcement operation, Senior Inspector of Drugs Mulindwa Kudra announced the closures, which took place in Isingiro, Bushenyi, Ntungamo, Rwampara, and Kiruhura. The operation also resulted in the seizure of 183 boxes of assorted medicines valued at over 50 million shillings.
Mulindwa encouraged those whose drugs were impounded to visit the NDA’s regional offices in Mbarara City for compliance guidance on reclaiming their medicines.
Public Relations Manager Abiaz Rwamwiri emphasized that NDA’s key mandate is to ensure easy access to safe and quality medicines, which is why regional teams are in place to support supervision. He also noted that over the past eight months, the NDA has recovered 1 billion shillings’ worth of stolen government drugs.
Over 21 homesteads and one school in Nyanga ward Bitooma Town Council Bushenyi district are counting losses following heavy downpour that ravaged the area and destroyed crops and houses.
The heavy downpour characterized by strong wind, a storm started yesterday evening at around 4:00pm and lasted for one hour destroying houses and food crops, including banana plantations, cassava gardens, and beans, among others. Nyamishundo primary school, a government aided school was also ravaged by the heavy down pour.
James Atukwatse the LCIII Chairperson Bitooma Town Council said that the heavy downpour submerged the house of the chairman LCI, Nyanga village, only known as Januarioleaving him in a critical condition.He was rushed to Comboni Mission Hospital-Kyamuhunga while family members were rushed to a nearby clinic for treatment.
Atukwatse said that the destruction of crops may result into famine and added that he has already asked the agricultural department to visit the area and ascertain the magnitude of the damage in order to make a report to the Ministry of Disaster for intervention.
Business and activities in Kasese Municipality were severely disrupted on Saturday after River Nyamwamba overflowed its banks, causing widespread flooding in key areas of the town.
The most affected locations include Mboghoyabo, Bihande, and Henry Bwambale roads in Kisanga Cell, as well as a section of the Kasese-Fort Portal Highway and Bataka Road in Saluti Cell. Additionally, Gaz and Kobil fuel stations were submerged, leading to a complete suspension of business operations.
Tragically, one person has reportedly drowned after falling into a flooded drainage ditch along the Fort Portal-Kasese highway.
Kabugho Maryline, a trader at Mawa Market, described the chaos as water suddenly surged into the market area around 9:00 am. Many traders fled, while others scrambled to move their products to higher ground, hoping the waters would recede.
“We were taken by surprise, but we hope the waters will go down as the day progresses,” Kabugho lamented.
Umar Baluku, a resident of Mubuzi Cell, reported that water entered their home at around the same time, destroying several household items that were left on the ground.
Kasese town has a history of flooding, with a similar incident occurring in May this year when residents found water entering their homes overnight after River Nyamwamba also burst its banks.
Security operatives in Bushenyi District have ramped up patrols and monitoring in Ishaka town following recent warnings from the U.S. government regarding potential attacks by suicide bombers and terrorists in Uganda.
William Donanto Katsigazi, the Deputy Resident District Commissioner of Bushenyi District confirmed that security has been heightened particularly in Ishaka town and around Kampala International University. identified as high-risk areas. He urged the public to remain vigilant and called on churches, nightclubs, and other crowded venues to enhance their security measures, including the installation of surveillance cameras.
Shawn Kimuli, the Head of Public Relations at Kampala International University, acknowledged the threats specifically targeting educational institutions and stated that the university has increased security efforts and is actively educating students and staff about potential risks, encouraging them to report any suspicious activities.
The Archbishop of Mbarara Archdiocese, the Rt. Rev. Lambert Bainomugisha, has urged Ugandans who are blessed with material wealth, education, and knowledge to show kindness and support to the less fortunate and vulnerable members of society.
The prelate said this yesterday, Wednesday September 4 while commissioning a new five-classroom block at St. Mary’s Primary School in Kyamuhunga Subcounty, Bushenyi District. He expressed gratitude to the generous donors from Austria who contributed to the construction of the building, valued at Shs445 million.
Raphael Magyezi, the Minister of Local Government, who facilitated the connection between the Austrian donors and St. Mary’s Primary School, encouraged school administrators to name the block in honor of their generous friends from Austria.
Annet Katusiime Mugisha, the Woman Member of Parliament for Bushenyi District, praised the Austrian donors for their support. She commended Archbishop Bainomugisha’s call for hard work and dedication to building a legacy, emphasizing that generous individuals will always be remembered for their contributions to the community.
Dancans Mugumya, the Commissioner of Physical Education, representing the Minister of State for Sports, Peter Ogwang, expressed satisfaction with the progress of Universal Primary Education schools like Kyamuhunga. He noted that the school provides holistic education, contributing positively to government’s educational initiatives which have sometimes faced challenges.
Grace Omwigarire, the head teacher of St. Mary’s Primary School, reported that the school has an enrollment of over 901 pupils and had previously faced challenges with congestion. She expressed optimism that the new classroom block will create a more conducive learning environment for the students.
The M23 rebel group in Eastern DR Congo has lost two commanders who were killed by government forces on January 16, in an attack the rebels called a violation of the existing ceasefire.
“The Kinshasa regime violated yet again the imposed ceasefire by attacking our forces on the front lines and carrying out acts of assassination behind our front lines, killing two of our commanders,” M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka said in a statement on Wednesday.
“The M23 has understood the message sent to it by the Kinshasa regime and will respond accordingly.”
Kanyuka did not disclose the names of two commanders reportedly killed by drone strikes on M23-held territory in Kitchanga locality, in North Kivu Province.
But unverified reports indicate that the killed rebel commanders are Col Castro Elise Mberabagabo, who was M23’s head of intelligence and external relations officer, and Col Erasto Bahati.
In the statement, Kanyuka said M23 had respected the ceasefire which was brokered by the United States government in December. Although the US said the two parties agreed to a ceasefire, M23 continued to accuse the DR Congo government-led coalition of indiscriminate bombing of populated areas in North Kivu.
Kanyuka said the M23 appreciated efforts by regional and international leaders to “resolve the ongoing conflict in eastern [DR Congo] peacefully by addressing the root causes of the conflicts.”
Kinshasa has refused to dialogue with the M23, calling the latter a terrorist movement.
Despite repeated calls for a peaceful resolution of the conflict, on Wednesday the Congolese army and a newly deployed force from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) announced joint offensives against the M23.
Eastern DR Congo, home to more than 130 armed groups, has been volatile for nearly 30 years.
Police in Mitooma District are hunting for a 19-year-old man on allegations of defiling a 2-year-old juvenile.
Martial Tumusiime, the greater Bushenyi region police spokesperson confirmed the incident and identified the suspect as Vincent Akili, 19, a porter, and resident of Rwirara I village, Ijumo parish, Mitooma sub-county in Mitooma District where the on.
It is alleged that the incident happened at around 7:30pm on 05/01/2024. Beatrice Tukundane, 58, the victim’s mother revealed that she left her daughter at around 7:00am with her father Samuel Ainebyona and she went to the garden.
Tukundane, added that her father also took the victim to the grandmother where the suspect who is a paternal uncle to the victim found her and took her to his bedroom and defiled her.
Tumusiime said examination of the victim was done and she is currently admitted at Mitooma health center IV.
He said that efforts to arrest the suspect who is on run for interrogation are still ongoing and investigations into the matter continue.
