Police in Rwampara district are currently searching for a man who assaulted and injured two staff members from Mwizi Sacco during a loan recovery operation.

According to reliable sources, Moureen Tusingwire and Leopold Kashaija were attempting to recover loan payments from Yona Tumwebaze, a resident of Kabatanagyi II Cell in Kigaga Parish, Mwizi Sub County. When the two arrived at Tumwebaze’s home, he reportedly turned aggressive, grabbed a panga, and attacked them. Tusingwire sustained injuries to her left leg, while Kashaija was injured on the arm.

Following the attack, the victims raised an alarm, prompting Tumwebaze to flee into a nearby bush. Police are now actively searching for him.

Charles Mwesiga, the LC1 chairperson of Kabatanagyi II, confirmed the incident and noted that this was not the first time Mwizi Sacco staff had visited to demand loan repayments. Tumwebaze had previously evaded them until the recent incident.

When reached for comment, Samson Kasasira, the Rwizi region police spokesperson, stated that he had not yet received a report regarding the matter.

Rebecca Kadaga, the Deputy Premier and Kamuli District Woman MP, has raised serious concerns about a plot against her life, allegedly involving an individual connected to the government. This alarming revelation was made during her annual event dedicated to supporting the elderly, where she provides a platform for them to voice their challenges.

Kadaga’s comments were prompted by Buzaya Constituency MP Martin Muzaale, who reported that his political rivals have been employing gangs to intimidate him and his supporters. Speaking at a gathering in Wankole Sub County, Muzaale explained that these gangs, often appearing in groups of five, use verbal harassment and aggressive tactics to provoke violence during public events. He noted that around a dozen of his political aides have been victims of these assaults.

In response, Kadaga disclosed that she has survived two assassination attempts. The first plot involved organizing a meeting with selected sugarcane farmers, who were reportedly instructed to deliberately crash their heavily loaded trucks into her convoy on the Jinja-Kamuli highway to make it appear as a tragic road accident. The second scheme involved hiring fake money dealers in Buwagi Trading Center, situated along the same highway, to create chaos and subsequently attempt to kill her, framing it as an incident involving disoriented youth. She claimed that the conspirators had received a down payment of 15 million shillings for this plot, but their plans were thwarted when the information leaked.

Kadaga did not specify whether she has reported these incidents to the police or if she has taken steps to enhance her security. Instead, she called for peace throughout the electoral process. Busoga North Police spokesperson Michael Kasadha stated that they could only provide further comment if Kadaga files an official complaint. However, he confirmed that they are investigating Muzaale’s allegations and the reported attacks on his supporters.

Political analyst Stephen Muzusa cautioned that the prevailing chaotic political landscape inhibits youth participation, as many lack the connections and financial resources necessary to navigate such conflicts. He emphasized that if these issues are not addressed, they could undermine democratic spaces and discourage electorates from making informed choices.

A jihadist faction has reported that its “special operation” resulted in significant human and material losses. The Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) is recognized as one of the most active militant organizations in the Sahel region, having carried out numerous attacks in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.

According to an army statement early this morning, a group of terrorists attempted to infiltrate the Faladie gendarmerie school. This facility was one of the several “sensitive points” targeted by terrorist attacks at dawn, as noted by the security ministry.

While there have been no official reports of casualties, two members of the security forces told AFP that they suffered injuries during the attack. In response, the security ministry reassured residents that they could continue their daily activities as usual. However, various international organizations, including the UN, have advised their personnel to limit movement in the area.

Social media footage has shown thick black smoke rising from a section of the city as gunfire erupted, individuals heading to a mosque for morning prayers were forced to turn back. Consequently, Bamako’s Modibo Keita International Airport has been closed in the aftermath of the attack.

The military came to power in a coup in 2021, citing the government’s inability to effectively combat the ongoing insurgency. Following the coup, the military expelled French troops and UN peacekeepers, opting to engage Russia’s Wagner Group to assist in the fight against jihadists, yet there remains no indication of an end to the insurgency.

A fire outbreak has destroyed the senior three boys’ dormitory at Kakungulu Memorial School in Kibuli Kampala which housed 52 students. The blaze broke out around 12:50 AM on Tuesday as students were preparing for bed. Fortunately, only one student suffered minor injuries during evacuation according to the Fire and Rescue Service.

Luke Owoyesigyire, Deputy Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson confirmed that the Police Fire and Rescue team responded quickly, preventing further escalation. “Their prompt action ensured the safety of the students. Most were already out of the dormitory when the fire started, minimizing harm. The cause is under investigation,” he stated.

The 2024 National Building Review Board report highlighted serious fire safety compliance issues in Ugandan educational institutions, particularly in dormitories, which are especially vulnerable during the night. The 2023 annual crime report noted 61 recorded fire outbreaks in schools, up from 55 in 2022, leading to at least 64 deaths

Rubaya Sub-County Councilors in Mbarara District have rejected the Solicitor General’s guidance regarding the appointment of an interim chairperson following the death of the former Chairperson, John Mugarura.

During an extraordinary meeting held yesterday at the sub-county headquarters. The councillors expressed their dissatisfaction with the Solicitor General’s recommendation that Norah Kekimuri, the vice-chairperson to the former Chairperson, should assume the role of interim sub-county chairperson. Councilors pointed out that Mugarura had removed Kekimuri from her position prior his death on August 3, 2024.

Despite this, the council, led by Speaker Susan Rutaafa, resolved that office keys and the sub-county stamp will remain in custody of the Sub-County Chief, Racheal Kanyesigye, until they receive further guidance from the Solicitor General.

Schools reopened today for the final term of the academic calendar year, yet government-aided primary schools in Bushenyi district have reported low attendance among pupils.

At several schools visited by our reporter, teachers arrived on time and were in class, waiting for more students to arrive before commencing normal lessons. For instance, at Irembezi Primary School in Nyakahita, only 182 out of the expected 572 pupils reported on the first day, according to head teacher John Vianney Bakunda. He noted that many parents, especially in rural areas, still hold the belief that sending their children to school on the first day leads to them becoming “redundant,” with some fearing their children will be assigned to general cleaning tasks.

Similarly, Rossetti Tukahirwa, head teacher at Nyamiko Primary School, reported that only 40 out of 174 expected pupils attended. She urged parents to embrace the tradition of sending their children to school on the first day, regardless of any concerns about school fees. Tukahirwa encouraged parents to consult school authorities regarding fee issues rather than imposing penalties on the children.

At Bushenyi Town School, head teacher Aziidah Nanseera reported that only 132 out of 476 students attended, attributing the low turnout to a requirement from the Parents Teachers Association for pupils to pay 50% of their fees upon arrival.

Despite the low turnout, Micheal Matigi, the Inspector of Schools in Bushenyi district, confirmed that attendance was slightly improved compared to previous years, both for teachers and pupils.

The U.S. has plunged into an unsettling era of political violence with two assassination attempts against former President Donald Trump occurring within just two months. In July, Trump narrowly escaped a gunman’s attack at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania where a 20-year-old shooter was killed by a sniper.

The most recent incident took place during a golf outing in West Palm Beach, Florida where an armed suspect with an AK-47-style rifle reportedly waited in the bushes for Trump. Quick action from Secret Service agents prevented the attack leading to the assailant’s arrest.

As gun violence continues to plague the nation, these alarming incidents reflect a troubling new normal in American politics. Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump’s Democratic opponent, condemned the violence, stating, “Violence has no place in America.”

The impact of the latest threat will largely depend on the identity and motives of the assailant, but for now, the reality of such violence seems to be increasingly accepted. In response, Trump has doubled down, vowing that these attempts to intimidate him will not deter his campaign. He frames himself as a target of persecution, claiming he stands for “forgotten” Americans and urging his supporters to “fight, fight, fight.”

While this latest incident may lack the dramatic visual impact of the July attack where Trump appeared bloodied and defiant on live television, it is likely to generate significant media attention and could shift focus away from recent controversies, including his uneven debate performance and social media disputes.

With just over seven weeks until the election, the political landscape remains fraught with tension and unpredictability, suggesting that more dramatic developments may lie ahead