Residents from Nyakaizi ward in Mbarara City south on Tuesday held a demonstration over the dangerous state of Kanyeite Bridge.

Kanyeite Bridge connects Nyakaizi in the former Kakoba division to Karugangama in Katete former Nyamitanga division and is the main link between Karugangama and Bishop Stuart University, Mbarara city and Isingiro district.

The bridge offers the shortest route to Masha Sub-County in Isingiro district for hundreds of school-going children, university students, vendors, most especially milk dealers, all use the bridge daily, and risk drowning.

Michael Arinaitwe, a resident of Kakoba said the state of the bridge is disturbing and makes the area appear not to be in the city.

He added that some of the students from Bishop Stuart University who have been renting in the area have relocated to other areas for fear of risking their lives.

A section of residents, who spoke to our reporter, noted that the bridge is very essential as it connects the area to Mbarara city central business district.

When contacted about the matter, Mbarara city Mayor, Robert Kakyebezi advised residents to stop using the bridge at the moment as it might endanger their lives adding that the issue was forwarded to the ministry of works and transport they are also waiting for the response.

Winnie Byanyima, the executive director of the joint United Nations programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has hailed the government of Uganda for its concerted effort in the fight against HIV/AIDS. 

In her remarks at the recently concluded 98th Rotary district conference in Mbarara City, Byanyima said the government has tremendously contributed to the HIV awareness and increased testing in the face of severe challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

She also observed that there has been increased testing and reduced new HIV infections since the introduction of the presidential fast track initiative on ending HIV & AIDS in Uganda by 2030.

Some of the guests pose for a photo during the 98th Rotary District Conference in Mbarara City. (Courtesy Photo)

Robert Kanusu, the Deputy Resident city commissioner Mbarara city north division commended Rotary club for helping out communities in need.

Peace Taremwa, the district governor for Rotary Uganda noted that in their five-year-plan, they want to focus on environmental protection.

The Kasi Fabian, the managing director centenary bank, one of the sponsors of the 98^th district assembly conference  said they do the various activities with the intention of helping people in the communities.

Micheal mukasa, the chief finance officer Roke telecom noted that they will keep supporting the activities of the rotary club.

Sheema district inspector of Schools, Ssempa Muzafaru has vowed to scrap drunkard teachers in the district from payroll for failure to perform their duties.

Ssempa made the remarks while meeting primary Head teachers in the district for a meeting at district headquarters, intended to forge a way forward on how to improve pupil’s performance in the coming PLE exams.

He noted that some teachers spend most of their time in bars and fail to teach pupils which he says may lead to poor performance in the district. 

Mujurizi Charles, the Sheema district UNATU chairperson said as teachers, leaders they condemn the habit of alcohol abuse and asked teachers to stop it.

Residents of Nyaruzinga and Nyadozo in Bumbaire sub-county Bushenyi district have staged a demonstration by planting bananas in the middle of the road protesting the sorry state of Nyaruzinga-Bumbaire road.

Residents say that the most affected part is at border of Bushenyi Ishaka municipality and Bumbaire in Nyaruzinga Swamp where the culverts were washed away by the water.

Residents said they have on several occasions talked to leaders about state of road but have kept deaf ears and now over 5 vehicles were stuck in the road and they decided to plant bananas in the middle of the road to show their disappointment. 

Jafari Basajjabalaba, the Bushenyi LC V chairperson apologized for delay but promised that the road will be worked upon staring next week.

Basajjabalaba said that more roads are impassible attributing the challenges to budget cuts on road funds noting that since government has increased money for road fund, they are going to work on the road immediately as an emergency.

The Bushenyi-Ishaka municipality Member of Parliament, Derrick Kabuura has implored parents to invest in educating their children in order to transform their communities.

Kabuura noted that education is only way to eliminate wrong doers which will enable the upbringing of responsible citizens.

He made the remarks during the fundraising for the construction of the head teacher’s house and renovation of Rwatukwire primary school held at school premises in central division Bushenyi-Ishaka municipality.

Rev Didas Natweta, All Saints Greater Archdeacon asked the organizers, PTA and school administration to do the work expected and ensure accountability of people’s money as a way to inspire them to continue supporting the school.

John Nkamwehanga, the school head teacher said that the school’s structure got destroyed as a result of being incomplete and with this support raised; it is guaranteed that the school will be renovated.

Shilton Naturinda, the chairman organizing committee said that they have achieved their target and assured parents and well wishers that the money raised will be put to proper use.

The Mbarara district Khadi, Sheikh Abdallah Mukwaya has cautioned Muslims against indulging in habits like alcoholism and fornication following the end of the fasting season.

Mukwaya made the remarks while addressing hundreds of Muslims during Eid-al-fitr prayers held at Nyamitanga mosque in Mbarara City.

He said the majority of Muslims always resort to bad habits after the fasting season instead of repenting.

At Global High School where hundreds of Muslims gathered for Eid-al-Fitr prayers, Abdul Fatar Isaac, the Imam Abubakar Jamia mosque asked the leadership of Mbarara city council to address the imbalance in job allocation.

He said that recently, Mbarara city service commission shortlisted ninety names for different job slots at Mbarara City council but surprisingly no Muslim made it to the list.

Addressing Muslims at Global High School, Robert Mugabe kakyebezi, the mayor Mbarara city revealed that due to public outcry over the allocation of jobs by the city service commission, he suspended the recruitment process following corruption tendencies by some actors on the commission.

Kakyebezi also asked Muslims to maintain the purity they gained during the month of Ramadan.

The National Union of Women with Disabilities of Uganda (NUWODU) has donated 10 wheelchairs to selected young female disabled able children in Bushenyi district.

NUWODU is a non-governmental organization that aims at advocating for equal rights and treatment of women living with disabilities in Uganda.

Speaking at the handing over event held at Bushenyi district multipurpose Hall, Justine Burisadi the Bushenyi district coordinator of women living with disabilities urged parents of children with disability to take good caring of their children.

“Give them equal rights and treatment as other children as this will empower them in their living,” said Burisadi.

Eunice Asiimwe, the national coordinator for women living with disabilities in western uganda said as NUWODU, they lobby for the maligned young and old women with disability, advocate for education sponsorship from partners and impart economic knowledge to them under the slogan disability is not inability.

Asiimwe asked parents of children with disability who received the wheelchairs to use them help the needy vulnerable children access school, market, church as well as taking good care of them.

At the same event the deputy RDC Rosemary Atuhaire appreciated NUWODU for giving out the wheelchairs to the young women living with disability in Bushenyi.

She asked parents to educate their children regardless whether disabled or not where she assured them that NRM government have given full support to people living with disability, giving them financial assistance through different government programs like PDM and Emyooga and many others.

Civil Society Organizations have expressed fear over the increased over-aged pupils in primary schools in Sheema district.

Rodgers Mugisha, the programs director Assessment of Lifeskills and Values in East Africa (ALiVE) made the observation during a one-day workshop for Uwezo and other partners which was aimed at increasing awareness of students on moral behavior and question-answering while at school and in their homes.

Mugisha revealed that 67% of Sheema district students who are 13-17 years are still in primary schools which he says may increase school dropouts especially in girls.

Jemimah Buhanda, the Sheema district chairperson, challenged parents to respect their neighbors as this will make their children learn from them.

Zipporah Nshemereirwe, the Sheema municipality education officer, noted that the government has introduced a new curriculum which will help students improve their skills at an early stage.

The Rwampara district woman Member of Parliament, Molly Asiimwe in conjunction with Nile Humanitarian Development Agency have provided a consignment of relief items to support the families affected by a hailstorm that hit some areas of Ndeija Sub-county in Rwampara district.

Over 500 families in this specific area that were hit by the deadly hailstorm received the relief items that include salt, sugar, rice, and posho among others.

Asiimwe who delivered the consignment through her political assistant, Centenary Mbamwiine said that although she has given the support of the relief to the affected families, she feels it is not enough.

Mbamwiine also requested families that received the relief items to use them accordingly other than exchanging them for money.

The residents praised the woman Member of Parliament, Molly Asiimwe for remembering them during this critical moment.