Day

By Andama Moses

Masindi

There was commotion at Kabalega taxi stage along masindi -Kifumba road today morning after un identified man believed to be in his early 20’s was found with bullet.

The man whose name was withheld not to jeopardise with investigations was arrested by leaders of Kabalega taxi stage this morning as he attempted to pull out money from his pocket and pay taxi fare unfortunately the bullet felt down and was easily seen by Taxi operators.

It is believed that the suspect was boarding to Kyatiri town council within Masindi district .

According to Joel Monday defense sec of the stage, upon realizing that it was bullet that felt off from the suspects pocket, they immediately called police from Masindi Central police station who rushed to the scene and took the suspect.

Rajab Abitegeka the stage chairperson called for vigilance amongst the operators by starting to check passengers before boarding off to their respective destinations .

Masindi district police commander Jacob Chepskori confirmed the arrest of the suspect saying he is detained in masindi central police station and shall be charged with being in possession of government stores.

Bellow is the suspect .

Ambrose Kweronda

KABALE

Kabale Regional Referral Hospital is holding the body of an unidentified male who was allegedly lynched by a mob while attempting to steal a goat in Rukiga District.

According to a police statement, at around 12:01 AM on Thursday, the deceased went to the home of Niwamanya Benjamin, armed with a panga, and stole a goat.

He was spotted pulling the goat, prompting local residents to raise the alarm. The mob surrounded him and he was killed.

Elly Maate, the Kigezi Regional Police spokesperson, stated that the police were notified, the scene was visited and documented, and the body was transported to Kabale Hospital mortuary for a postmortem examination.

Maate added that a goat, a panga, and three sticks of Super Sport cigarettes were found at the scene. The deceased was wearing a black jacket, black trousers, and open shoes.

He urges anyone who is missing a loved one to visit the hospital mortuary for identification and to arrange for a proper burial.

By Ambrose Kweronda

KABALE

Private security guards manning the mining site of National Cement Co Ltd in Kisoro District were on thursday disarmed and arrested after allegedly attempting to open fire on Uganda’s Minister of State for Minerals, Hon. Phionah Nyamutoro.

Hon. Nyamutoro, who has been in office for less than three months, visited the company’s mining site on Thursday morning for an inspection regarding alleged illegal mining activities when she narrowly escaped an assassination attempt by the armed guards.

The incident, captured on camera and widely shared on social media, has sparked widespread outrage and calls for a comprehensive investigation.

Eyewitnesses say the Minister and her team approached the site for the inspection when the armed security guards affiliated with the company allegedly received orders to fire at the group.

Quick-thinking bodyguards accompanying the minister disarmed the security personnel and arrested them, preventing any injuries.

“The bullets were in the chamber; they got commands from their bosses to shoot at us. We are on duty. This is laughable. Actually, the directors of this mining company should be the ones arrested,” Minister Nyamutoro stated in a press briefing following the incident.

Local authorities responded swiftly to ensure the minister’s safety and began a thorough investigation into both the attack and the company’s activities.

This incident has intensified scrutiny on the National Cement Company, which has faced accusations of illegal mining practices that harm the environment and the local community.

Hon. Nyamutoro’s visit to the mining site was part of her ongoing efforts to enforce legal and environmental standards within Uganda’s mining sector. The violent response from the company’s security guards has underscored the urgent need for increased oversight and accountability in the industry.

In light of the attack, Hon. Nyamutoro called for an immediate suspension of all mining activities by the National Cement Company until a full investigation is conducted.

She urged the government to take decisive action against those responsible for the attack and to ensure compliance with mining regulations across the country.

Elly Maate, the Kigezi Region police spokesperson, said that police have launched an investigation into the shooting, focusing on the actions of the private security guards and the directives they received from their superiors.

Authorities are also examining the broader implications of the incident for the security of public officials and the enforcement of mining laws in Uganda.

By Aggrey Twesigye

MBARARA

Prof. John F. Mugisha has been unveiled as the new Vice Chancellor of Bishop Stuart University. He transitions from his previous role as Vice Chancellor at Cavendish University Uganda, succeeding Associate Prof. Gershom Atukunda, who has been serving in an acting capacity for seventeen months.

During the unveiling ceremony at the University chapel grounds on Thursday, Prof. Mugisha pledged to promote action-oriented research, emphasize creativity and innovation. Additionally, he committed to combating instances of exchanging sex and money for academic marks.

The university chancellor, Rt Rev. Sheldon Mwesigwa, urged the new vice chancellor to enhance the university’s Christian principles and ethics.

Prof John Mugisha holds a PhD in Health Planning and Management from Keele university in England and is a graduate of Makerere University.He has researched and published extensively and has a proven track record in research, teaching, curricular development, academic Leadership and Institutional governance matters.

Professor Mugisha will assume the role of the fourth vice chancellor of Bishop Stuart University on July 1st, 2024.

By Isaac Mumbere

KASESE

Sunday marked one year since the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels attacked Mpondwe – Lhubiriha Secondary School in Kasese district leaving more than 40 people dead and several others injured.

On June 16, 2023, a group of ADF rebels crossed from their hideout in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and attacked a secondary school located in Nyabugando II Cell, Mpondwe –Lhubiriha Town Council and killed 38 students and five other people from the community.

Jovia Masika whose biological sister was abducted during the night attack told our reporter that their hope as a family to receive their relative back home has slowly faded away.

Lt. Maate Magwara, the Kasese Deputy Resident District Commissioner in-charge of Bukonzo County where the attack happened confirmed that at least 11 students have since remained uncounted for but quickly said that investigations aimed at finding them are still ongoing.

When our reporter visited Mpondwe –Lhubiriha Secondary School situated about 3 kilometers from Bwera Divisional Police headquarters, it is still closed.

But Lt. Magwara told our reporter that the premises of the institution are no longer a scene of crime.

Mr. Jockus Bwambale Duduma, who lost his biological parents and his two young brothers were abducted, said the family is requesting government to be clear and open to them that her efforts towards rescuing the abductees have not yet yielded any tangible results.

Mr. Jockim Kamundu, the Secretary for Nyabugando Cell disclosed that his area lost 6 people and three more were abducted.

Noting that government hasn’t been involved up to date since they promised to intervene.
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By Aggrey Twesigye

MBARARA

There was heavy deployment on Thursday at Katete Bridge to stop a planned demonstration of traders under their umbrella Mbarara city Traders Association (MBACITA) over the stalled construction of Katete bridge.

The traders had arranged to shut their shops and assemble at Katete Bridge to unite in demanding the prompt construction of the bridge.

However police swung into action and stopped the demonstration before the traders could take to the streets.

Mbarara city council authorities closed down the bridge about three weeks ago after part of it caved in.

The closure of the bridge has since affected businesses and general transport, forcing residents to mount pressure on the city leadership. They have been demanding an explanation on the way forward since the only alternative route is too far from the central business district.

The closed bridge connects Katete, one of the fastest growing suburbs in Mbarara City, and the central business district.

The traders who intimated to our reporter explained that much as they have been patient for 3 weeks,the city authorities are yet to respond to to this emergency.

By Ambrose Kweronda

RUKUNGIRI:

The territorial police in Rukungiri have arrested a 27 year old man for the murder of a 5 years old girl.

The suspect now in custody has been identified as Fred Nasasira with the deceased also identified as Gift Amutuhaire daughter of Samuel Niwamdinda all residents of Kanyamitwe cell central ward Kebisoni town council Rukungiri district.

It’s alleged that at around 1 PM on Sunday last week, Amutuhaire Gift (deceased) left her mother Ntegyerize Sarah and her elder brother Ahurire Osbert 9 at home and went to pay a visit to her grandmother Korubaro Beatrice at a distance of about 100 meters away.

On arrival she joined Nasasira Fred (suspect) and Allan Akanyijuka in the farm where they were going to give water to cows and thereafter Allan Akanyijuka fetched a bucket of water to take home but Nasasira Fred poured it down.

This made Allan go back into the well to fetch more water and as he was turning up from the well, saw Nasasira Fred carrying Gift on his back moving uphill in the farm and he continued taking water home but he couldn’t see them again.

Few minutes after delivering the water, Ntegyerize Sarah (mother) came looking for the daughter but she couldn’t get her though Allan explained to her how he saw Fred carrying her on his back from the well where they had gone together.

In the evening, Nasasira Fred sneaked into the home, ate supper and disappeared; however, the deceased was not seen anywhere and on the following day of 17th June 2024, the mother reported a case of kidnap at Kebisoni police station.

The Kigezi Police spokesperson ASP Elly Maate told the press that efforts in tracing the deceased were made and at around 7:30 AM today, the deceased’s body was recovered buried in the bush.

He added that the police were accordingly alerted, crime scene was visited, examined, documented, and the suspect was arrested, now in custody at Rukungiri Central Police Station with the body taken for postmortem at Rwakabengo HC III mortuary.

Maate further said that the inquiries are ongoing to establish the motive of the alleged murder and upon completion of inquiries, will be arraigned before courts of law with the case registered on CRB: 748/2024.

By Kweronda Ambrose

Kabale Municipality

The State Minister for Gender, Labour, and Social Development in charge of Children and Youth Affairs, Hon. Dr. Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, has urged parents and stakeholders in Kabale District to sensitize the community about the dangers of using toxic substances.

The minister made the call during the belated celebrations of the International Day of the African Child, held at the National Teachers College in Kabale Municipality. Dr. Ateenyi emphasized the importance of creating a clean and crime-free community, stressing that the abuse of toxic substances is a major hindrance to achieving this goal. He appealed to parents, teachers, and other stakeholders to join forces in educating the masses about the harmful effects of toxic substances on individuals, families, and the community at large.

Citing his findings during a visit to the Ndorwa Remand Centre earlier in the day, where he met young juvenile victims of HIV, the minister also called on the judiciary to prioritize and expedite the hearing of cases involving HIV-infected detainees. Highlighting the heightened health risks associated with keeping such individuals in custody, the minister emphasized the need for swift legal proceedings to ensure their well-being and uphold their rights. He pointed out that the crowded and often unsanitary conditions in many detention facilities can exacerbate health issues for those with compromised immune systems.

Speaking at the same function, His Worship Henry Twinamatsiko, the Deputy registrar of Kabale High Court , attributed the delay in hearing and resolving cases of young children in remand homes to the overwhelming number of culprits in the region. He also said that because the Kabale High Court is serving a wider area, it has led to delays in court hearings.

He added that this delay in hearing and resolving cases not only affects the children’s welfare but also perpetuates a cycle of crime and violence in the community.

His Worship Twinamatsiko also explained that the unique challenge of Kabale’s porous borders has led to an influx of children with diverse backgrounds and characters, contributing to the high crime rate in society. He further expressed that gaps in parental involvement at home have led to an increased number of crimes in society.

According to Monica Muhumuza Nzeirwe, the District Probations Officer said that Kabale District has registered over 1,300 cases of teenage pregnancie

Monica Muhumuza Nzeirwe, the District Probations Officer says that among the cases were four 15-year-old girls, with the incidents recorded between July 2023 and the present.

She highlighted that 2.3 percent of children in Kabale are unable to complete their education despite the provision of Universal Primary and Secondary Education. Of the 2.3 percent who drop out, 75 percent are males, many of whom fall into criminal activities and other related social issues.

Muhumuza attributed the issue to poor parenting and emphasized the need for all stakeholders in Kabale to ensure that every child in the district has access to education.

She stressed the necessity for realistic and proactive interventions to mitigate school dropouts and teenage pregnancies