Town council mayors in Mbarara district have expressed their disappointment over the delay by the central government to release the local revenue collected that amounts to over UGX 500 million.

The concerns come after government introduced the new system in July 2022 named integrated Revenue administration system (IRAS) in all districts for collecting tax.

The concerned town council includes Nyabisirira, Bwizibwera-Rutooma, Rwanyamahembe, Rubindi-Ruhumba and Bucuro.

Chairing the meeting at the district headquarters in Bwizibwera, Patrick Tumuhimbise Bigabwensi, the mayor Bwizibwera-Rutooma town council said that since September 2022 up to date they have never received money from the local revenue collected under IRAS.

Bigabwensi noted that as of now they don’t have a single coin to do any activities in their areas of jurisdiction.

Juliet Nabakoza, the vice chairperson Mbarara district promised to follow up the issue saying that without money services cannot reach the people.

The State minister for Health in charge of general duties Hannifah Kawooya has threatened to sack health workers over indiscipline and lack of professionalism at work which has caused poor health service delivery.

Kawooya said this yesterday while presiding over the Commissioning of Kashozi Health centre III and Kitojo Health centre III in Sheema municipality which were built by the government of Uganda through the Ministry of Health.

Kawooya said that it was discovered that staff absenteeism from workplaces and unprofessional ethics towards patients have greatly affected service delivery.

State minister for Health in charge of general duties Hannifah Kawooya commissioning Kashozi Health Center III newly upgraded from a HC II.

Dickson Kateshumbwa, the Sheema municipality Member of Parliament told the minister that municipality health centers are challenged by understaffing in terms of health workers, delays in receiving drugs from National medical stores and also lack staff quarters at the health facilities which negatively affect the health sector.

Officials from the Ministry of Health and Uganda AIDS Commission under the President’s office have made a move to address the increasing HIV infections in Bushenyi district.

According to the records, HIV prevalence in Bushenyi district currently stands at 6.4% and this has surpassed the national prevalence rate which stands at 5.8%. Bushenyi district has an estimated 19,616 people living with HIV, 18,212 people identified with HIV, 17,018 people on ART.

During the midterm review meeting of the National HIV Strategic Plan, Prof. Tarsis Kabwegyere, the chairman of Uganda AIDS Commission under the President’s office implored leaders to use all the available communication avenues to disseminate the information regarding prevention against HIV. 

Nobert Gumisiriza, the Bushenyi district HIV /AIDS network forum attributed the high rate of HIV in the area to health workers who chase people who are willing to have voluntary HIV tests that the testing kits are for only in targeted hotspots. 

Dr Nelson Musoba, the director general Uganda AIDS Commission under President’s office, however, clarified that the commission and the Ministry of Health have limited testing kits for all population urging people to use other preventive measures, like use of condoms before engaging in sex, being faithful to one partner and abstinence among others.

Shock and grief has engulfed residents of Rwampara district after a fresh graduate from Makerere University hanged herself to death.

Clare Arinaitwe, the OC/CID Rwampara confirmed the incident and identified the deceased as Flavia Nagasha whose body was on Thursday found by a passer-by, inside Kagarama Daystar Church in Rwampara District.

“Nagasha climbed drums to suspend her body on the roof in the middle of the church where her deceased mother usually led her for prayers,” said Arinaitwe.

Our reporter established that Nagasha recently completed her Bachelors Degree of Business Administration at Makerere University but she was unable to attend the graduation ceremony in February 2023 due to mental disorders and often sought exorcism.

Phionah Nimusiima, a sister to the deceased revealed they had sought different born-again churches to save her life but all in vain.

By press time the body of the deceased had been handed over to her family for burial.

Shock and grief engulfed residents of Swazi II village Swazi parish Kyamuhunga Sub-county after finding the body of 24 year old Jordan Nuwagiira today morning hanging in a tree in the school compound at Swazi primary school.

Speaking to our reporter, Laban Butamanya, the Swazi parish chairperson said the body of Nuwagiira was seen by a security guard in the early morning hours hanging near the classroom block.

He said the deceased had a mental challenge and they believe it could have been one of the reasons leading to his death.  

Matia Njunwoha, the LC1 chairperson Swazi II village said as residents they have been shocked by the sudden death of their colleague who they say has been working as a casual labourer in the area.  

Mitooma District Councillors have cracked war on the district health committee for failing to deliver the required information to the ministry which has caused a shortage of drugs in most health facilities within the district.

While appearing in yesterday’s district council meeting held at the district Headquarters, Joy Bagarukayo the district councilor representing workers and Bim Douglas the district councilor representing Mitooma Town council said that most health centers have no medicine which has left patients stranded and helpless.  

The Mitooma district Deputy speaker Greenford Mucunguzi told the council that he got feedback from the ministry of health that the Mitooma district health data is wanting and that could be the biggest reason they take a long time to receive drugs and even get little.  

However, the Mitooma district Chief Administrative Officer Edith Turyasasirwa acknowledged that the district is facing drug stock outs in the majority of government health facilities but was quick to blame it on the National Medical Stores which delays the supply.