Day

By Sylvia Kugonza
In Kabarole–
The commision of inquiry into land matters has started its first hearing in Kabarole district today.
The commission led by justice Katherine Bamugemerire will be hearing cases from all districts of Rwenzori including Kabarole,Bunyangabu,kasese,Bundibugyo ,Ntoroko among others.
The commission kicked off with Kabarole district with a hearing case involving Kabarole district local government, Furdsult engineering company limited,community surrounding crater lakes and Antony General.

In 2015 Kabarole district local government and Ferdsult Engineering Company entered into an agreement. Ferdsult was to restock fish in 20 crater lakes in the district.
However, Twerwaheno Listeners Club; a human rights organization based in Fort Portal and six residents surrounding crater lakes in the district sued Kabarole district, the Attorney General and Ferdsult ch challenging the deal.
In June 2017, Fort Portal Resident Judge Anthony Ojok Ayuko, cancelled the MOU on grounds that the consultations with the fishermen were not exhaustive. Ferdsult has since appealed against the ruling.
The commission started hearing from the fishing community represented by their chairperson Magezi Jack who told the commission that since the district leased the crater lake to Ferdsult, their lively hood changed.
He said that Ferdsult denied them a chance to carry out any fishing activities including fetching water for domestic use and other activities which they claim to have been doing for over 80 years ago.
Jack added that before Ferdsult entered into business, they found in the lakes their own fish in the by government, late,Babiha John the former vice President,Donors, a white man and founder Nyakasura SS and among others but they were denied to fish.
Jack further told the commission that according to the MOU ,Ferdsult was supposed to restock fish using cages,while fishing community use free range which was not the case.
However Jack stated that Ferdault through its security agencies and police have been torturing them through assaults, gun shoots citing one Rukampena James whose leg was shot and cut off,confiscating there fishing materials, rapping women and among other bad acts.
He further told the commission that after all these grievances went to court and won the case but to a a surprise they’ve never enjoyed their rights.
Jack further asked the commission to intervene into the matters and bring to books culprits for torturing them.
SOURCE: www.mknewslink.com, a greater western Uganda news website.
Email:wmuhwezi75@gmail.com
Tel: +256702680106

By www.mknewslink.com reporter
In Kampala–
Journalist Charles Etukuri has finally been released, his employer has confirmed. New Vision through their official twitter handle announced the release of Etukuri.
Etukuri was abducted last week from his work station by men dressed in military fatigues and dumped into a car before being driven to an unknown destination.
It was not yet clear why the journalist was abducted but his employer believes the trouble stems from the various stories he has been writing about recent murders in high profile city hotels.
By time of release, the high court-civil division had issued orders against the security minister Lt. Gen Henry Tumukunde and the Director General Internal Security Organisation (ISO) Col. Kaka Bagyenda to produce new vision reporter Charles Etukuri whether dead or alive by February 26 afternoon.
Justice Lydia Mugambe issued the orders saying; “Habeas corpus orders are issued against the second respondent the Director General ISO and the minister of security Lt. Gen Henry Tumukunde.”
New vision applied seeking the orders in relation to Charles Etukuri who was arrested on February 13, 2018.
While submitting his application before high court judge Lydia Mugambe, the New Vision lawyer, Tony Kirabira told court that it was established that the applicant is being detained by ISO and that implies that he is in the custody of the Director General of ISO.
“With that back ground it is our prayer that the honorable court be pleased to grant the orders being prayed for,” Kirabira said.
Kirabira also informed court that the continued detention is deliberate attempt not only to infringe his client’s personal liberty under article 23 of the constitution but also an attempt to curtail freedom of the press and media.
SOURCE: www.mknewslink.com, a greater western Uganda news website.
Email:wmuhwezi75@gmail.com
Tel: +256702680106

By Yosam Gucwaki
In Masindi—

Bunyoro Kitara Reparations Agency (BUKITAREPA) has finalized plans to petition the parliament of Uganda to investigate on how the 700 million pounds which was given to the Banyoro by the Queen of England was used.
Ayena Odongo; the lawyer for BUKITAREPA said that, during the colonial time the British many people in Bunyoro were killed while others lost their property including domestic animals something which forced the Banyoro to drag the Queen of England to
the courts of law.
Ayena added that they first tried the high court of Uganda but they were overruled by saying that the Queen of England could not be charged in the municipal court of Uganda which forced them to file a case in courts of law in Britain.

He added that when they were processing the case, the British government through Ugandan government agreed to pay compensation worth 700 million pounds in a period of five years, noting that this was done in 2007.
Speaking to BUKITAREPA members during the weekend at Rukurato hall in Hoima town, the chief coordinator, Bunyoro Kitara Reparations Agency, Doviko Batwale, noted that their lawyer has already started drafting the petition which will task the parliament to investigate circumstances surrounding the 700 million pounds that was meant for the Banyoro .

Batwale who did not indicate when they intend to deliver their
petition to the speaker of parliament explained that they have got
information that the money was diverted to construction of roads and yet the Uganda National Roads Authority has a full-fledged budget to construct roads.

He noted that they need whoever is concerned to come out clearly and
explain citing Matia Kasaija the Minister for finance.
Ayena added that they have on many occasions seen the president of
Uganda Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, admitting that the money came but to
their dismay Banyoro have never got the money.
He added that apart from asking the parliament of Uganda and the
auditor general to find out how the money was used, they have gone to
Britain to tell them that their case is still on.
SOURCE: www.mknewslink.com, a greater western Uganda news website.
Email:wmuhwezi75@gmail.com
Tel: +256702680106

BY WILBER MUHWEZI KASIBANTE
IN BUSHENYI—-
The Member of Parliament for Igara West in Bushenyi district Hon. Raphael Magyezi has revealed that he survived narrowly death during the presidential age limit removal debate because some people had planned to kill him.
Magyezi who was the mover of the bill which is now a law said this yesterday evening during an annual general meeting of Kakanju sub-county Sacco in Bushenyi district.
“it was not easy at all, people almost killed me during Gikwateko debate, you can even see am still guarded by military however it was necessary for the future of this country to remove age limit” Magyezi told Sacco Members.
“I received a lot of threats wherever I went and even in both online and traditional media but I endured for the good of our country”
He added that threats did not stop at him but also were directed to his entire family members and even relatives.
The debate of age limit removal ended last year and divided the country very much.
The law allowed president Museveni to rule for the rest of life and youths of 18 years and above to contest for president.
SOURCE: www.mknewslink.com, a greater western Uganda news website.
Email:wmuhwezi75@gmail.com
Tel: +256702680106

By Wilber Muhwezi Kasibante
In Bushenyi–
Following the increase of profits and members,the Chairman board of directors Kakanju sub-county SACCO Dr.Abel Mucunguzi has appealed to the public to buy many shares from the institution.
The call was yesterday sounded by the Dr.Abel Mucunguzi; the chairman board of directors Kakanju sub-county SACCO during Annual General Meeting and fundraising for completion of the bank offices at Kashanda.

SACCO members in their AGM
Dr.Mucunguzi said the SACCO members have increased from 300 to 605 and profits increased from Sh. 3m to sh.27 m in a period of one year.
He further disclosed that the SACCO has moved to it’s own structure where it is now able to serve it’s customers and the community at large.
The MP for Igara West;Raphael Magyezi also who was at the function contributed 40 bags of cement and pledged more support towards the SACCO.
The managing Director National Water and Sewerage Corporation; Eng.Silver Mugisha who was the chief guest contributed sh.3m to the SACCO and pledged to extent piped water in Kakanju sub-county.

MD Mugisha speaking at the function
At the function, Ms Annet Mugisha; the wife to Eng.Mugisha pledged to offer 320 goats to widows and people with disabilities. Kakanju sub-county will share 25 goats.
SOURCE: www.mknewslink.com, a greater western Uganda news website.
Email:wmuhwezi75@gmail.com
Tel: +256702680106