Day

By Vanasio Kakogoso
In Kabale–
Over three hundred private medical and government sponsored students
at Kabale University have staged a demonstration protesting
against hiked tution fees and nonpayment of their allowances
respectively.

The university charges 2.669, 000 million shillings as tuition fee,
which the students claim is very expensive. According to students the
charged tuition fee excludes meals and accommodation. Students are
also charged one million shillings, as functional fees.

The students claim that university authorities had promised that once
Kabale University is turned into public university, the tuition could
be reduced. However they say since it turned into a public university
in 2016/2017 financial year, they have waited for decrease in vain.

Students matched from the university premises at Kikungiri Hill,
Southern Division, Kabale Municipality via Nyakambu and Kekuubo
heading to the office of the Kabale Resident District Commissioner
seeking intervention.

They were carrying placards bearing words like; this is a public
university, reduce on tuition, say no to high tuition and tuition
reduction among others. However, on reaching at National Teachers
College-NTC Kabale, they were intercepted by anti riot police who
fired tear gas and live bullets in the air to disperse them. Students
later beat police and gathered at Kabale district headquarters.

The students who include Chrispus Nkoyoyo, Daniel Masai, Mark
Musinguzi, say that the amount of money they are paying is stressing
their parents. They also wonders why Kabale University, a public
university charge them highly yet other public universities charges
affordable tuition.

The students say that their demonstration is aimed at making district
leaders as well as Ministry of Education and sports to intervene.

They add that they are not happy because they get substandard
services, despite the high amount of money they are paying.
The government students holding placards declined to attend to
lectures and stormed the office of RDC Kabale demanding for an
explanation to why their meals and accommodation allowances were
reduced from 840,000shillings to 420,000shillings and not paid.

They claim that after they reported at the university this year, they
were told by the administration that they will only get 420,000
shillings. Students also accuse the university administration for
charging them development fund worth 100,000 shillings yet the money
is paid by the government.

This forced the Kabale Resident District Commissioner, Darius
Nandiinda, University administrators and students to hold a crisis
meeting at Kabale district Rukiiko hall where journalists were barred
from.

The Kabale University Public Relations Officer, Judith Atukunda says
that the university administration is yet to be briefed about the
demonstration. She says that she will give a general statement after
gathering all the details about the demonstration.
Source: www.mknewslink.com; a western Uganda news website.
Email: wmuhwezi75@gmail.com
Tel:+256702680106.

By Elly Karenzi
In Ibanda—
The Ibanda District Health Officer, Dr. Julius Bamwine has said in a bid to improve service delivery, the ministry of health has started the work of constructing a modern mortuary room.
Dr. Bamwine told www.mnknewslink.com reporter in an interview from his office at Kitwe hill today that Ishongorero health center 1V has been operating without a mortuary room since its inception30 years ago.
He explained that the dead bodies are currently kept on beds in wards or in corridors before they are taken for burial. The health workers, patients and attendants have been complaining about the dead bodies usually kept on beds in wards.
“This idea of constructing the mortuary room will sort out the problems as many dead bodies are usually seen lying on beds in wards while health workers looking helpless.
Ishongorero health center 1V has been lacking mortuary facilities for many years” Dr. Bamwine confirmed.
According to Dr. Bamwine, the construction work of the mortuary has commenced and it is expected to be concluded by the end of July.
Jackson Ntegyereize; an area resident says this will bring smile to the health workers and the people in the sub counties of Bisheeshe, Nyamarebe, Ishongorero and Rushango town council.
Source: www.mknewslink.com; a western Uganda news website.
Email: wmuhwezi75@gmail.com
Tel:+256702680106.

By www.mknewslink.com Reporter
in kampala—

The Deputy Chief Justice Alphonse Owiny- Dollo has named a panel of 5 Constitutional Court justices to preside over hearing of the age-limit petitions set to be held in Mbale early next month.

The panel was announced during the second conferencing meeting with the parties involved in the petitions held on Tuesday.

Conferencing is when parties involved in the matter meet before the judge to sort out issues that would be the centre of focus as the hearing commences.

The panel named comprises Owiny Dollo as the lead judge, Remmy Kasule, Elizabeth Musoke , Kenneth Kakuru and Cheborion Barishaki.

During the meeting, all parties agreed that the petitions be heard starting April 9 as the most convenient date for all.

Last week, the Deputy Chief Justice announced that the five petitions filed by the Uganda Law Society (ULS), six opposition MPs , lawyer, Male Mabirizi, Dr.Abed Bwanika and Prosper Busingye,a concerned citizen from Western Uganda had been merged into one.

He later announced that hearing had been transferred to Mbale and that it would be done in a marathon style but this didn’t not go well with the petitioners who complained of the long distance and inconvenience.

Erias Lukwago, who represented some of the petitioners said that the venue for the petitions is too far and a lot of time will be wasted away from their usual duties but the Deputy Chief Justice insisted that like Kampala, Mbale is also part of Uganda that court can hear the petitions from there.

Parliament on December 20 passed the age limit bill before being signed into law by President Museveni seven days later to allow lifting of the cap on the lower and upper age limit from 35 and 75 respectively.
However, according to the petitioners, the masses were not fully consulted before the amendments were done

Source: www.mknewslink.com; a western Uganda news website.
Email: wmuhwezi75@gmail.com
Tel:+256702680106.

BY VANANSIO MBABAZI KAKOGOSO
IN KABALE—–

Kabale Sharp Football club from Kabale district was last evening
held to a two all draw by Kiira United FC, in the ongoing Federation
of Uganda Football Association-FUFA big league. The match was played
in Kabale Municipal Stadium.

Kabale Sharp Fc’s Striker Dickson Niwamanya Kihanga, put the hosts
ahead in the 14th minute before adding in the second in the 52nd
minute.

Kiira United Fc later pulled the first goal in the 55th minute through
Sharif Sejjemba. Kabale Sharp Fc’s goal keeper, Sharif Sozzi, was late
shown a direct red card for a reckless challenge on the Kirra United
Fc’s striker, Christopher Kawungu. Kabale Sharp was forced to push one
of their defenders, Francis Nduhukire Soko into the goal posts because
they did not have a goal keeper on the substitute list. Peter Musisi
added an equalizer for Kiira United Fc in the 80th minute.

The Kabale Sharp FC Coach, Vialli Beinomugisha, said that the team
conceded the two goals, due the red card that was shown to their goal
keeper and lack of experience to contain pressure, having lost a
player.

Meanwhile, the Uganda Cranes have been held to a goalless by Malawi in
a friendly match that was played in Mandela National Stadium Namboole

Source: www.mknewslink.com; a western Uganda news website.
Email: wmuhwezi75@gmail.com
Tel:+256702680106.