Day

By Ambrose Kweronda

www.mknewslink.com

In Kanungu—–

Kanungu RDC Hajji Shafic Sekandi has reopened sand mines in the district under strict regulations.

Sand mining was halted in Kanungu district after two people were buried alive by sand quarries in two different incidents

Prior to the reopening, Hajj.Shafiq Sekandi yesterday met the two teams both at Kiruruma Kihihi and Katete Mines respectively to pave a way forward for this escalating problem in Kanungu district.

He emphasized that Children below 18 years should never be involved in the mining activity, Sand mining is strictly limited to only day time, that is from 07:00am to 06:00Pm, Site owners must put up gates and employ security guards to monitor and record vehicles on entry.

He added that Site owners must refilling all open holes and plant stabilizer trees to limit negative scenarios like breeding grounds for mosquitoes, and all miners must wear protective gears like gloves, helmets and gumboots.

He ordered site owners to ensure that no worker under influence of drugs/toxics substances is allowed to participate in mining activities and to register his people and form an association with the constitution to guide them.

Environmental Officer, Ms. Shiba Arinaitwe requested the community to always have a restoration plan which will help them to avoid the danger.

At Kiruruma Mr.Nsaba Benon was selected as the head of track drivers, Mwesigwa Bannet head of site owners, Turyasingura Charles head of miners, Arineitwe Amos and Bangirana John head of loaders.

For Kanyamisinga Katete Mubangizi Friday head of drivers, Nganize Denes head of site owners, Mbonigaba Umar loaders and two ex-officials were also selected.

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Tel: +256702680106

By Aggrey Twesigye

www.mknewslink.com

In Mbarara—

Authorities in Mbarara city western Uganda have closed Alliance in Motion Global (AIM Global) Mbarara offices over alleged fraud.

Lt. Col. James Mwesigye, the Resident City Commissioner Mbarara noted that they are hunting for the directors of the organization as they have been swindling money from youths promising them jobs.

Mwesigye noted that they have information that several youths are staying together in congested rooms in different parts of the city, males and females stay together after being robbed of their money by Global Alliance directors.

While closing the offices yesterday, Thursday, April 22, 2021, the RCC asked local leaders to be on the forefront and deal with such fraudulent acts.

The closure of Mbarara offices comes a day after Lyantonde police arrested at least 400 youths from Kabale, Ibanda, Isingiro,Rukungiri, among other places.

www.mknewslink.com a greater western Uganda news website
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By Sandra Tumwekwase

www.mknewlink.com

In Kampala/ Mbarara—

Police in Kampala have finally arrested two suspects in connection to the murder of a special hire driver in Mbarara city.

The two suspects have been identified by police as Simon Lutasingwa and Patrick Sonko

The deceased James Ahimbisibwe reportedly went missing on 6^th April 2021 after picking the duo from Buremba stage Mbarara city to yet to be known destination.

According to Police, a suspected body of the deceased was found at Bwaziiba near Kasana Luweero and it was buried at Kasana hospital Cementary after locals failed to identify him.

Police say that on 10^th April, they received information that someone was selling a new vehicle at cheaper price of 4 million shillings.

Police CID PRO Charles Twine revealed that they swung into action and arrested the seller Simon Lutasingwa who confessed to stealing the vehicle from Mbarara with Sonko.

Twiine noted that they have since established that the body belonged to James and they have secured exhumation order to have the body for DNA.

The two will be charged with murder and aggravated robbery, according to Twine.

By Ambrose Kweronda

www.mknewslink.com

In Kisoro—

Residents in Kisoro were yesterday morning shocked when one of their fellows Molly Sawasawa was almost lynched to death by people who were sent to forcefully evict her out of her land.

It is alleged that the attackers were sent by the Kisoro municipality councilor Alex Ndayambaje on the orders of the district chairman Abel Bizimana with claims that the land occupied by Molly belongs to the government.

Molly told www.mknewslink.com reporter that she has been using the land for over 10 years since 2011 thus the eviction comes to her as a surprise.

She added that the duo approached her and wanted her to buy the land but after consultations, sources told her that it belongs to the government.

She further noted she has consulted the district chairman Abel Bizimana who told her that he gave the land to Ndayambaje.

Ndayamaje refused to talk same much about the matter but rather referred our reporter to the lands officer and the CAO for more information about the Land.

Whereas Sekabanza the Kisoro District lands officer clarified to journalist that he doesn’t know anything about the land, the Kisoro District deputy CAO said that Kisoro District local government resolved that all individuals occupying government land should pay rent .

He added that the government must sign memorandum of understanding with individuals who are interested in occupying the houses.

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

By Ambrose Kweronda

www.mknewslink.com

In Kanungu—

Political leaders in Kigezi region have accused the government and indigenous people of frustrating the lives of Batwa by denying them basic necessities of life.

The concerned leaders wondered why the government has not been able to resettle the marginalized group of Batwa ever since their eviction from national parks in the 1990’s.

The leaders were speaking during the launch of a study by Mbarara University of Science and Technology-MUST, titled “Understanding the Marginalized Batwa people of South Western Uganda,” a function held at Kanungu social center.

The lead researcher, Dr. Viola Nilah Nyakato said the study was aimed at understanding the lives of the Batwa and ways of improving their livelihoods.

Kabale LC V chairperson Patrick Besigye Keihwa, who also doubled as research committee chairperson noted that ever since the government evicted the Batwa from Bwindi, Mgahinga and Echuya national forests, it has done nothing to resettle them.

He called upon the government to compensate the Batwa and resettle them in areas near the forest since it is their lifestyle.

Kisoro district LC V chairperson Abel Bizimana esplained that instead of the government helping the Batwa, it has joined forces with the indigenous population to victimize them in every possible way.

Kanungu district LCV vice-chairperson Gard Byomuhangi noted that like any other Ugandan, the Batwa should have access to land, Operation Wealth Creation program and other government programs to improve their lives.

He however noted there is also need to work towards changing the mindset the Batwa if any progress is to be made.

Gard Shemajere, the Executive Director Batwa Development Organization says that as Batwa, they want representation in the local leadership structure. They also want to be resettled near forests and get fertile land for agriculture.

Findings of the study show that 80% of the Batwa do not own land and live as squatters on pieces of land provided by non-governmental organisations without any legal documentation.

The Batwa, also known as Twa people are pygmies. They are scattered in Kanungu, Kisoro, Rubanda and Kabale districts.

They were the original inhabitants of the Bwindi forest where they are believed to had stayed for more than 300 years before their eviction by the government.

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