Police in Mbarara City South Division are currently investigating the tragic suspected suicide of a 14-year-old girl. The deceased, identified as Docus Komuhangi, was a Primary Five pupil at Rwemiko Primary School and resided in Kabamba Cell, Kicwamba Ward.
Rwizi Regional Police spokesperson SP Samson Kasasira confirmed the incident, stating that on Thursday morning at around 9:41 AM, the chairman of the local area, identified as Abaasa, received a phone call from a resident reporting that a girl had hanged herself using a rope in her bedroom at her in-law’s home, belonging to Milton Otafiire. Upon receiving this information, the chairman quickly rushed to the scene to verify the report and subsequently alerted the police.
Police arrived at the scene to document the circumstances surrounding the incident. The body has been transported to Mbarara City mortuary, where it will undergo a postmortem examination.
As of now, the cause of this tragic act remains unclear, and police are continuing their inquiries into the matter.
The College of Eminent Sheikhs (Majlis Al-Ulama) in Uganda has controversially extended the tenure of Mufti Sheikh Shaban Mubajje for five more years despite concerns regarding the legality of the decision.
Mubajje who has led the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) for 24 years was expected to retire upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70 as mandated by the 1986 UMSC constitution. However, UMSC chairperson Prof. Muhammadi Lubega Kisambira stated that legal advisors found no constitutional impediments to Mubajje seeking another term under the new 2022 UMSC constitution.
“With the help of UMSC lawyer Dr. Makmot Adam Kibwanga, they found no constitutional contradiction regarding Dr. Shaban Ramadhan Mubajje,” said Kisambira. He emphasized that the decision was aimed at ensuring continuity and stability within UMSC leadership.
In addition to Mubajje’s appointment, Sheikh Muhammad Ali Waiswa has been named the First Deputy Mufti. Waiswa, a close associate of Mubajje for two decades will join him in leadership under the new terms. However, this move has drawn criticism from some within the Muslim community who argue it violates the constitution.
Legal challenges have emerged with a judicial review application filed at the Civil Division of the High Court in Kampala questioning Mubajje’s eligibility for another term. Justice Emmanuel Baguma has set a hearing for March 19 warning that any endorsement of Mubajje during the pending case could nullify the decision.
Despite the backlash, Kisambira asserted that the UMSC would continue its operations uninterrupted. “We as UMSC did not go to court and are free to proceed with our business as usual. There is no injunction or order preventing any operations at UMSC,” he said.
City lawyer Ali Kankaka, involved in drafting the new UMSC constitution, countered the extension’s validity, stating, “The Majlis Al Ulama has the power to vet and elect a Mufti only when the position is vacant, and the general assembly is merely informed for noting.” The controversy surrounding Mubajje’s extension continues to unfold as the legal proceedings advance.
A 38-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the murder of a 68-year-old man in Sheema District. The incident occurred on March 10, 2025, at 12:00 AM in Nyamwambu Cell, Kasana Sub-County.
According to Martial Tumusiime, Greater Bushenyi Region Police Spokesperson, the suspect, Fred Murangira, along with an accomplice, Obed Bariho, allegedly assaulted the victim, Patrick Kanwa, a resident of Nyakibere 2 Cell leading to his death. The motive appears to stem from an extramarital affair between Kanwa and Murangira’s wife, Ketra Manywoha.
Murangira had reportedly warned Kanwa to end the affair but on the night of the incident, Kanwa visited Manywoha resulting in a confrontation that escalated to violence.
Police investigating the scene recovered broken pieces of wood with suspected blood stains and found Kanwa’s body showing severe injuries including a head injury and a broken left leg.
In the aftermath, angry residents took action against the suspects destroying their banana plantations and houses. While Bariho has been apprehended, Murangira remains at large and a manhunt is underway to capture him. The police continue to investigate the incident. The body of the deceased was been taken to Kitagata Hospital for a postmortem examination.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) has officially lifted quarantine restrictions on animal movements in Kazo District which were imposed due to a Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak. This decision comes after a successful vaccination campaign that achieved over 95.9% coverage and the implementation of necessary health measures.
Since January 2024, quarantine restrictions had prohibited the movement of cattle, goats, sheep and related products in and out of Kazo District as mandated by the Animal Diseases Act Cap 38. Following the comprehensive vaccination efforts, district leaders submitted a report to MAAIF requesting the reopening of animal markets.
During a meeting at the district headquarters, the Chief Administrative Officer, Hajji Badru Mayanja thanked the production department and all district leaders for their efforts in combating FMD. He urged everyone to maintain public awareness and security especially since surrounding districts are yet to complete their vaccination campaigns.
Deputy District Internal Security Officer Mr. Joseph Mugume who represented the Resident District Commissioner echoed these sentiments and praised the team’s commitment to tackling FMD.
District Production Officer Mr. Zefrine Tumwesigye assured attendees that strict monitoring will be enforced for animal movements from outside Kazo District to prevent any resurgence of the disease.
Rev. Samuel Mugisha Katugunda, the LC5 Chairman lauded the production department’s diligence and called for coordinated action to avert future outbreaks given the ongoing risks in neighboring districts.
The district leadership plans to release detailed guidelines soon regarding the reopening and management of animal markets to ensure safe animal movements and prevent the spread of FMD from neighboring areas.
Police in Sheema District have arrested one person and are actively searching for another in connection with the murder of a 68-year-old man.
The incident occurred on March 9, 2025, at around 12:00 PM in Nyamwambo Cell, Kasana Sub County, Sheema District. Marcial Tumusiime, the Greater Bushenyi police spokesperson, confirmed the details and identified the suspects as Fred Murangira, 38, and Obed Bariho, both residents of the area.
The deceased, Patrick Kanwa, 68, was a peasant and a resident of Nyakibere 2 Cell in the same sub-county. It is alleged that Kanwa had been involved in an extramarital affair with Ketra Manywoha, who is the wife of Murangira.
Sources indicate that Murangira had repeatedly warned Kanwa to end the affair, but the deceased did not comply. On the night of the incident, Kanwa allegedly went to meet Manywoha as he had on previous occasions. It is believed that Murangira and Bariho confronted Kanwa and ultimately assaulted him, leading to his death.
Following the incident, Murangira fled to an undisclosed location, while Bariho was arrested and has been handed over to the police for further investigation and legal proceedings.
Residents of Nyungu I and Nyungu II in Kyampangara Subcounty,Kazo district gathered at the Resident District Commissioner’s (RDC) office yesterday to voice grievances against a local farmer, Jane Ampaire Tushabe, whose livestock have been wreaking havoc on their crops. The concerned farmers, revealed that the destruction of their crops by Tushabe’s animals has been a persistent issue since 2015.
Community members expressed their deepening concern over a threat of famine as the ongoing damage has rendered them unable to cultivate their fields effectively. “We are worried about impending famine in our parish as we can no longer grow crops with fear of them being destroyed by these animals,” stated one resident.
James Tushabe who was married to Ampaire until 1995 when they stopped putting up under one roof revealed that while he is the owner of the land,he has no hand whatsoever in what his estranged wife and children are doing to the locals. He encouraged the locals to follow the law to the dot until they find legal redress.
Tushabe expressed disappointment in the district authorities for their failure to address the matter that has threatened residents with famine and loss lives.
Asiimwe Absolom, the parish councilor for Nyungu who also doubles as the subcounty speaker, confirmed the residents’ complaints emphasizing that the issue had gone unresolved for far too long. “This has been a significant problem for us and it’s time for action to be taken,” Asiimwe remarked.
Mugisha Paddy, the Deputy RDC for Kazo District assured the residents that they are aware of the situation and are committed to intervening. “It is our responsibility to address this issue,” he said adding that ‘a resolution is expected by Monday’.
Residents are hopeful that the meeting with the RDC’s office will lead to a timely resolution of the matter allowing them to resume their agricultural activities without fear of losing their hard work to roaming livestock.
Police in Mityana District have apprehended James Agongu, a resident of Kasambya Village, Bujayo Parish, Kalangalo Sub-County following a violent attack that resulted in one death and left another person injured. The incident occurred in the early hours of Monday morning around 4:00 a.m when Agongu reportedly knocked on doors while wielding a panga.
According to Racheal Kawala, the spokesperson for the Wamala Regional Police, the attack turned fatal when 45-year-old Sylvester Luyimbazi opened his door to investigate the disturbance. Agongu fatally attacked Luhimbazi while another resident, 48-year-old Steven Byakatonda sustained injuries and was promptly rushed to the hospital for treatment.
Agongu has been arrested and investigations are ongoing. Preliminary findings suggest he may be suffering from a mental illness as noted by Kawala. Following a post-mortem examination, Luyimbazi’s family has been given his body to prepare for burial.
The villages of Obwiino, Rwentaka and Nyabwina in Bumbaire subcounty Bushenyi district are facing an imminent food crisis after a powerful hailstorm wreaked havoc on their agricultural plantations and homes. The storm which lasted three intense hours brought heavy downpours that destroyed critical crops including coffee, bananas, cassava and bean seedlings.
Residents are grappling with the aftermath of the storm, assessing the extent of the destruction and the impact it will have on their livelihoods. Kyompaire Evas, a resident of Rwentaka Village expressed deep concern about the damage to her community’s gardens and the looming threat of starvation. “This storm has left many of us without food and we are afraid of what the future holds,” she stated.
The local leadership is equally alarmed. Bakunda Saverino, the LC1 Chairperson has made a heartfelt appeal to the government for immediate assistance. “We urgently need food relief items and seedlings to help our communities recover from this disaster. Many families are on the brink of starvation,” he urged.
As families begin to recover from the shock, the urgent need for support and resources is clear highlighting the vulnerability of agricultural communities to extreme weather events. The situation remains critical as residents battle not only the physical destruction of their homes and fields but also the emotional toll of uncertainty about their future food security.
The Bishop of Kiyinda-Mityana Diocese, Rt. Rev. Joseph Anthony Zziwa, has officially blessed a newly constructed clergy house at Our Lady of Fatima Mubende Parish at the parish’s centenary celebrations held on Sunday March,2 at the parish grounds in Mubende Municipality. The parish was constructed in 1925 by missionaries of the White Fathers.
Construction of the clergy house began on September 17, 2023, featuring 17 bedrooms, three dining areas and four office spaces.
In a ceremony held at the parish grounds, Bishop Zziwa together with the parish priest, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Mwerikande commissioned the new building for use.
“Today, we bless this house as we did to our church before,” said Bishop Zziwa. “I will delegate some priests to bless the bedrooms, while I bless the offices where their pastoral work will take place.”
Naloongo Clare Ssebitosi Kingongo, the chairperson of the centenary celebrations organizing committee expressed her gratitude to the prelate for his support and to all who contributed to the project.
Hope Grania Nakazibwe, Woman MP for Mubende District, also praised the parishioners for their generosity and thanked the community for their financial and material contributions that made the project possible.
President Yoweri Museveni’s recent assessment tour of the Parish Development Model (PDM) initiative in the Ankole region has left local leaders and beneficiaries compelled to express a newfound awareness of the importance of proper management and utilization of PDM funds.
Apollo Mabati, Special Assistant to the Presidential Advisor on Citizen Veteran Affairs, noted that the tour highlighted a critical gap in understanding the PDM initiative among the locals. “Many still do not fully grasp the concept and significance of PDM as a Presidential Initiative,” Mabati stated. He emphasized the need for increased sensitization efforts, suggesting that the allocation of one million shillings could be pivotal for families in generating sustainable income.
Banabas Akantambira Bakekira, a local leader echoed these sentiments, asserting that the President’s visit would drive leaders to take the initiative seriously particularly regarding the continuous education of beneficiaries on the effective use of funds. “Leaders must be tireless in their efforts to ensure beneficiaries understand how to optimally utilize this money for its intended purpose,” he affirmed.
Yonah Rusooso Male, the district councillor for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Kiruhura, raised concerns about the distribution of PDM funds. He claimed that many targeted beneficiaries do not receive the funds, which often go to individuals who do not qualify for the initiative. Furthermore, he criticized the few who receive the money suggesting that it is frequently mismanaged.
Rusooso highlighted that the Presidential assessment tour instilled a sense of accountability among the beneficiaries fostering a fear of future mismanagement of PDM funds. “This tour has made it clear that improper handling of funds will not be tolerated in the future,” he warned.
As communities in Kiruhura District reflect on the lessons from the President’s tour, there is a hopeful outlook for a more informed and responsible approach to the PDM initiative aimed at improving livelihoods and fostering economic growth in the region.
