Day

By Ambrose Kweronda

www.mknewslink.com

In Kabale–

Prices of charcoal in Kabale district have been high following the high demand in the areas of Masaka and Kampala.

A sack of charcoal which was previously at 20,000 Shillings now costs 32,000 Shillings.

Jane Aturinda, a charcoal dealer in the Garage Street Market in Kabale Municipality says that traders prefer transporting charcoal to Masaka and Kampala for more profits where they sell a sack at 50,000-70,000 Shillings having bought it from village at 20,000 Shillings.

Annet Kyomuhendo, a charcoal dealer in Kigongi in Central division Kabale municipality says that she now sells a basin of charcoal at 6000 shillings instead of the usual 3,000 Shillings.

Kyomuhendo says that she was forced to increase the price after her supplier from the neighboring Rukiga district also increased the price from 12,000 to 20,000 Shillings.

Simon Byamukama, the Executive Director of Let Us Save Uganda (LUSU), a Kigezi based non-government organization advocating for environment conservation says that an increase in charcoal prices is an indication that the green vegetation especially trees which are the primary source of charcoal have been degraded.

Byamukama however blames the government for failing to intervene and make other sources of energy more available to the public. According to Byamukama, people have stuck to the traditional means of using firewood and charcoal for cooking.

Achilles Byaruhanga, the Executive Director of Nature Uganda, another environmental conservation non-government organization says that this is the time for the government to start advising people to plant their trees where they can get charcoal and firewood

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

By Innocent Atuganyira

www.mknewslink.com

In Buliisa—

Butiaba Health Center III in Buliisa District Bunyoro sub region has been closed after failing to get an alternative place to operate from.

Last year, the health Centre was submerged following the rising water levels of Lake Albert.  The staff quarters, maternity, male and female wards, store, Outpatient Department-OPD and roads leading to facilities were all submerged.

The health Centre which receives 200 patients a day including those from the Democratic Republic of Congo-DRC was temporarily moved to Butiaba Primary School.

However following the reopening of schools for semi candidates, medical workers at the health Centre found it hard to continue operating at the school.

Dr. Nelson Naisye, the Buliisa District Health officer says that after failing to secure a place where the patients can be treated from, they have decided to close the health Centre until a new space is secured.

Moses Kaahwa, in charge of the health Centre, says they were left without any option but to suspend operations until the district gets them another place.

According to Kaaahwa, they have told residents to access treatment at Biiso health Centre IV which is about 20km away from Butiaba landing site.

Gilbert Tibeijuka, a resident of Boma cell Butiaba town council accused the district authority of refusing to address the matter with the urgency it deserves.

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

By Innocent Atuganyira

www.mknewslink.com

In Kikuube—

About 500 households who were evicted by Hoima Sugar Limited in 2013 are still helpless and have nowhere to go.

Hoima Sugar Limited evicted about 6000 indigenous communities of Bakiga , Banyoro, and some Alur communities from 1,300 acres in Kijayo, Buhaguzi County in Kikube district to pave way for the sugar plantation.

Up to now, none of the victims has been compensated. Apparently, most of them are living in poor and vulnerable conditions after they were forcefully evicted and driven into three internally displaced people’s camps located in Kijayo, Kikuube district.

The affected persons filed a lawsuit at the High Court in Masindi against Hoima Sugar Limited seeking compensation for their properties, loss of lives and the violation of their basic fundamental human and economic rights. These individuals were seeking compensation and payment for malicious damages to properties and lives during the eviction.

Harriet Kemirembe, the camp chairperson says many families no longer have land to grow food after evictions which started in 2012. She says the government has not been of help adding that many children have dropped out of school because they have to trek long distances to study.

Flavia Kaahwa, a teenage girl says many female youth are facing sexual and reproductive health challenges including lack of sanitary towels and sexual assault.

Rev. Francis Ntejerize, the program coordinator NAVODA wants the government to intervene and help the affected persons.

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

By Aggrey Twesigye

www.mknewslink.com

In Sheema—-

Residents of Sheema were yesterday shocked after one of their own was caught red handed dumping an aborted fetus into a forest.

The suspect Flavia Ainomugisha 20 years is a bar attendant in Mikyerere, Katwe Kyabandara ward, but hails from Rubirizi district.

According to residents who talked to www.mknewslink.com reporter, Ainomugisha was caught red handed by a boda boda rider, dumping her 6 months old fetus into Katwe forest in the evening.

Residents said that the boda boda rider alerted them and they came into action to arrest Ainoumugisha.

ASP Mary Mukago Sheema Police Station Political commissar intimated to www.mknewslink.com that the suspect is currently admitted at Kabwohe Health center III because she was severe bleeding.

She further added that Ainomugisha will be delivered to courts of law to answer to charges of murder.

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