Day

By Andama Moses
in Masindi—-
A section of residents in Masindi district are asking the government, through the electoral commission, to consider conducting the elections of local council one (LC1) and twos within the shortest time.

The call was made on Monday during a one-day civic education on strengthening citizens in elections organized by the Forum for Women in Democracy (FOWODE) held at Wawulo Church of Uganda in Pakanyi Sub County.

Abel Abitekaniza, a resident of Kisindi village, stressed that most area chairpersons are exhausted; some LC1 committee members shifted, not working for people, whereas some are failing to account for 25% of the funds from the government.

Beatrice Birungi, a resident of the same area, decried that some beneficiaries are missing out on government programs because some LC1 chairpersons are no longer delivering services and thus questioned the election of other leaders, yet area chairpersons are crucial in implementing government programs.

Ronald Byabasaija, LC1 Chairperson for Pakanyi village, and Godfrey Ogen, LC1 Chairperson for Katumba village also echoed the need for electoral commission to consider conducting LC1s and 2s elections saying some are exhausted whereas some want to contest on other posts.

Abubaker Lubwama, the Assistant Returning Officer at the Electoral Commission, Masindi Branch, clarified that though the term for the LC1 Chairpersons elapsed, the current LC1 Chairpersons have a legal mandate to continue working until the government announces dates for their elections.

He also clarified that the LC1 elections were delayed due to funds, but they are yet to be instructed by the government.

Gilbert Wandera, the Pakanyi Sub County Civic Mentor at FOWODE, said that they organize such trainings to remind the voters of their rights to vote and share their experiences with concerned stakeholders.

He disclosed that such trainings aim at mobilizing communities to turn up in large numbers for the 2026 elections.

Bosco Onek, working with Community Driven Network (CODNET), however, asked the government to consider funding the Civil Society Organization, the Electoral Commission, the Human Rights Commission, and others to train and mobilize communities on why they should participate in elections.

By Isaac Mumbere
in Kasese—

The State Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Hon. Godfrey Baluku Kabbyanga has publicly revealed that he has forgiven the Kasese Municipality Member of Parliament over his statements indicating that the Junior Minister is behind the downfall of Kilembe Mines Hospital.

Last Friday when the Government Assurance and Implementation Committee of Parliament led by its Chairperson, Hon. Joyce Bagala, the Mityana District Woman Member of Parliament visited Kasese District, Hon. Ferigo Kambale did not hide to mention that Minister Kabbyanga was behind the downfall of Kilembe Mines Hospital.

This was after Dr. Bernard Balyana, the Medical Superintendent at Kilembe Mines Hospital had told the committee members in his report that the facility which formerly had 82 health workers is currently being manned by 14 medical staff following the recent withdrawal of 68 government employees.

Responding to the issue, Mr. Zedekiya Kambasu Kayiri, the Kasese Municipal Deputy Town Clerk explained that they were forced to make some transfers and redeployments of staff to nearby health centres as guided by the government policy and according to him, Kilembe Mines Hospital is not on the list of cost centres, hence making it ineligible to have employees who are on government payroll.

His statements did not please the political wing including Hon. Ferigo Kambale, who said he was disappointed with the technical wing for withdrawing the health workers from the health facility.

Hon. Kambale clearly stated that the Municipal Technical Wing was being influenced by external forces especially from the Minister Kabbyanga to have the health workers on government payroll withdrawn from Kilembe Mines Hospital.

Responding to Hon. Kambale’s accusations against him, Minister Kabbyanga today morning told the press at Shiloh Hotel in Kasese town that he was disappointed with the legislator when he heard such statements against him.

According to him, he had instructed his legal team to file a case against the Member of Parliament so that he defends himself in the Courts of Law. Kabbyanga described Hon. Kambale’s statements as baseless and uncalled for.

Minister Kabbyanga noted that after praying to God for guidance and divine mercy, he decided to forgive Hon. Kambale and has since instructed his legal team to stop pursuing the matter.

He used the same platform to caution his fellow politicians to avoid uttering baseless statements against their competitors for their personal interests, arguing that the act might cause conflicts and clashes .

Despite the counter –accusations, the Government Assurance and Implementation Committee of Parliament on Friday assured the population that they would advocate for the reactivation of Kilembe Mines Hospital, stressing that their work was to ensure that the citizens receive quality services from government.

By Ambrose Kweronda
in Kabale Municipality—–

Kabale Muslim District Supreme Council, along with local leaders and aspiring politicians, united today to denounce the dangerous corruption killing the nation.

Their collective voice rang out during the Eid –el-Fitr celebrations held at Ndorwa primary playground in southern Division Kabale Municipality.

Speaking to journalists on the celebrations, Hajji Issa Tindyebwa, Chairperson of the Kabale Muslim District Supreme Council, and Sheik Kassim Kamugisha, former Kabale Municipality MP aspirant and current Nakawa Division Deputy RCC, emphasized the detrimental effects of corruption, particularly its roots at the district-level where job positions are often secured through bribery.

They lamented the deteriorating state of service delivery attributed to the rampant sale of positions within district service commissions.

Hajji Issa and Sheik Kassim urged for collective action against corruption.

Kabale district woman MP, Hon Catherine Atwakiire Ndamira, called upon the public to combat corruption starting from the grassroots level, emphasizing the role of both citizens and the government in this fight.

She also urged Muslims to actively participate in developmental initiatives for the betterment of their communities.

In a show of solidarity, aspiring leaders Grace Ankunda Bekunda Bwesigye (woman MP Kabale) and Counsel Atweibembere Wilbrod Rwamunahe (LC5 Chairperson) joined the Kabale Muslim District Supreme Council’s call for the president’s visit to their headquarters in Kirigime ward, situated between the Catholic and Protestant headquarters of Rushorooza and Rugarama, respectively.

By Aggrey Twesigye
in BushenyI/Mbarara—-

A Tragic accident where two individuals, among them the Vine High School bursar, have lost their lives in a fatal car crash on the Mbarara-Bushenyi road.

Annet Kanyuzi a bursar at Vine High school in Bushenyi district and Benson Akanjuna died on Tuesday at Mile 2 when two vehicles collided.

According to eyewitnesses, the driver of Toyota wish reg.no.UBK 493T who was driving from Mbarara side heading to Bushenyi,lost control of the motor-vehicle as he tried to dodge a pothole, drifted from his lane and rammed into a Tata lorry reg.no H4DF 1162 belonging to UPDF.

Samson Kasasira the Rwizi Regional Police Spokesperson said the deceased individuals were passengers aboard a Toyota Wish, both of whom perished at the scene, while two others survived with severe injuries.

Kasasira clarified that the victims, including Geoferry Mwanika, the driver of the Tata lorry, and John Twinomugisha, a passenger in the taxi, were urgently transported to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital in critical condition.

He further mentioned that the bodies of the deceased were transported to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital for autopsy.

Both vehicles have been towed to Mbarara central police station.