Day

By Ambrose Kweronda

www.mknewslink.com

In Rukiga—

The Anti-corruption court led by Justice Margret Tibulya, has convicted former junior minister for Labour, Herbert Kabafunzaki on corruption charges and asked him to pay a fine of Shs10 million, failure of which he has to serve three years in prison.

Kabafunzaki, a former MP for Rukiga County [2016-2021], now Rukiga District, is also barred from holding public office for a period of 10 years.

He was charged with two counts of corruption contrary to section 2 (a) and 26 of the Anti-Corruption Act 2009 and one count of conspiracy contrary to section 390 of the penal code Act.

The former minister, who was arrested on April 8, 2017, is jointly charged with two others, who include Brian Mugabo, his political assistant, and Bruce Lubowa, an interior designer in Wakiso District.

During the course of the trial, Kabafunzaki reportedly went missing. The presiding judge pushed his wife, Ms Doreen Kabafunzaki, to produce him in court, saying she did not believe that she did not know the whereabouts of her husband.

Justice Tibulya reasoned that Ms Kabafunzaki did not report a matter of a missing person at the nearest police station.

Under the count of corruption, prosecution said on April 8, 2017, while performing his duties as minister at Kampala Serena Hotel, Kabafunzaki directly solicited Shs15m from Mr Hamid as a gratification for clearing his name from allegations of sexual harassment.

In court count two of corruption, the state alleged that on the same day, the minister directly accepted Shs5m as a gratification from Hamid.

In the third count of conspiracy to commit a felony, the State said between April 6 and 8, 2017, Kabafunzaki conspired with Lubowa to solicit a gratification of Shs15m from Hamid.

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

 By Ambrose Kweronda

www.mknewslink.com

In Rukungiri—

Vendors operating from Rukungiri Central Market Stalls and Bus/Tax Park lockups have been warned against paying landlords who demand rent exceeding December 2021.

According to the Rukungiri Municipality Commercial Officer Perry Owoyesigire, the landlords in question received the ownership lease of 30yrs which expires in December 2021 so that by January 2022 ownership revert to Rukungiri Municipal Council.

However, Owoyesigire disclosed that a section of landlords do not want to hand over ownership back to the Municipal authorities while some are trying to sell their stalls and lockups well aware that their lease is expiring.

He noted that others are trying to hire advocates to stall the transition of ownership.

Owoyesigire’s warning came after representatives from SYMBION COMPANY LTD Kampala the company contracted to reconstruct Rukungiri central market visited the Municipality from 1st to 3rd this month to survey the site.

The construction will start with the lower part which accommodates the charcoal stores and food stuff up to the dry food stores and the Bus/Tax park lockups will follow later as second phase.

One of the landlords, Kenzigye Geoffrey Tindarwesire however said that they will not hand over ownership up to when construction begins.

Rukungiri Central Market has 81 Stalls and 184 Bus Park lockups and the central market tenants were directed to occupy the newly constructed Katerera Market where as the traders operating from lockups are to occupy the recently re-developed sanitary Lanes.

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

By Ambrose Kweronda

www.mknewslink.com

In Kabale—

Police in Kabale district are investigating the cause of an accident which killed one person at Mwanjari along Kabale- Katuna highway.

Kigezi Regional police Spokesperson Elly Maate identified the deceased as John Charismas a resident of Kagarama Hamuhambo Town council Rubanda district.

The accident involved a motor vehicle reg. no. UAM367 T Fuso lorry that belongs to Kigezi Highland tea growers and motor cycle reg. no UEL441W.

The driver of the lorry Mujuni Valesto allegedly knocked John Christmas who was riding on a motorcycle.

The incident happened on the 07/10/2021 at around 19:50hrs at Mwanjari along Kabale Katuna highway when the rider was trying to turn suddenly only to be knocked by an incoming vehicle.

Police visited the scene and tried to rush the victim to Kabale referral hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Postmortem was done and body handed over to relatives for burial.

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

By Mwebembezi Fred

www.mknewslink.com

In Ntoroko—-

Leaders of Ntoroko are worried over the disappearance of the refugees that flock into from the Democratic Republic of Congo following fighting by the Allied Democratic Rebels ADF.

According to Mr. Kawamala Mesarch the Resident district Commissioner Ntoroko, after being registered and screened at Rwamabale primary school before they are transferred to Bubukwanga transit camp in Bundibugyo, the refugees disappear and this causes a security threat.

Kawamala says since July 2021 they have registered and screened over 20,000 asylum seekers from DRC to Uganda at Rwamabale primary school in Ntoroko but according to the records, only 3,048 of over 20,000 refugees reached Bubukwanga transit camp.

He was talking to our reporter yesterday in an exclusive interview regarding the number of refugees seeking asylum in the district and the challenges they are experiencing.

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

By Glorias Rukundo

www.mknewslink.com

In Sheema—

There is a need to respect media freedom and rights given the fact that Journalists are important to every citizen.

According to Judith Komugisha the Human rights Officer, there is a strong need to end attacks on media practitioners, censorship of media and threats against media as a route to create a harmonized environment for media industry.

Judith Komugisha was yesterday addressing journalists on human rights in a one day workshop under the theme “enhancing professional journalism while protecting the rights of journalists and holding violators of rights of journalists accountable,”

“Media freedom is crucial for enjoyment of the wider freedom of speech and expression for advancement of national aspirations for instance democracy and development” Komugisha said.

Rosemary Kemigisha the senior Human Rights Commission Mbarara called upon the public to look into the economic and social rights of journalists and stop intimidating them while performing their duties in the field.

She however asked journalists to get more organized and professional while performing their duties.

The workshop held at Sevenin Gardens Kabwohe was graced by officers from Uganda Human Rights Commission Mbarara region, media practitioners from different media houses including Vision group, Kazo Fm, Daily monitor, BFM radio, Mknewslink.com among others.

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

By Ambrose Kweronda

www.mknewslink.com

In Ntungamo—
Former Ntungamo district chairman aspirant Chrispus Matsiko has blasted Museveni’s government for using tax payers’ money to develop themselves.

He said that the government is totally rotten; full of officials who are making a lot of money out of taxes with high levels of institutionalized corruption.
Matsiko through a whatsapp page roasted the officials who are less bothered about job crisis, shocking levels of poverty and hunger, crippled Health Care, schools among others.

“This government is a disgrace and we must do anything possible to show them the exit door anytime soon,” He noted.

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