Day

Ambrose Kweronda

RUKUNGIRI

Beneficiaries of the Youth Livelihood Program (YLP) in Rukungiri district have been warned to prepare for either arrest or repayment of funds after repaying only 20% of the disbursed amount over eight years.

This was revealed by Harison Mukuru, the focal person for YLP in Rukungiri district, during an interview at the district headquarters on Friday evening. Mukuru stated that Rukungiri district has received about 1.2 billion Uganda shillings, but only 240 million shillings have been recovered.

According to Mukuru, the youth relaxed on their projects and misused the funds meant for group projects, such as poultry, workshops, and piggery projects, for individual purposes. The government disbursed 1.2 billion shillings to 164 youth groups within the district, but only eight groups have repaid within the eight-year period, although each group was supposed to use the money for three years.

Mukuru warned that the ministry has funded an operation team that will move subcounty by sub county to trace the funds. He emphasized that anyone who benefited from the program and failed to repay will be arrested, including those who moved to other countries like Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates, as Interpol will be involved to ensure their arrest.

He urged the youth to either prepare to be arrested or to repay the funds.

The Programme Development Objective (PDO) is to empower the target youth to harness their socio-economic potential and increase self-employment opportunities and income levels. The cabinet and parliament approved a budget of UShs 265 billion (approximately US$ 100 million) for the first five years of implementation from 2013-14 to 2017-18. The programme was launched on January 24, 2014.

By Andama Moses

MASINDI

The Bishop of Masindi Kitara diocese Rt Reverend George William Asiimwe Kasanganki has dismissed two reverends from their positions for misconduct as well as suspended more two.

Reverend Henry Kauya and his wife Reverend Sylvia Kauya have been dismissed from their positions after breaking away from the Anglican Church and forming their own church.

Kauya is also accused of marrying another wife which contravenes the doctrines of the Anglican Church.

This was revealed today by the diocesan secretary, Reverend Canon Joshua Kugonza while briefing the media on the ongoing two day diocesan synod at St Mathew’s cathedral in Masindi municipality where journalists were not allowed.

The Reverend added that Bishop has also suspended two other reverends whose names have been withheld pending the synod’s resolution on the matter.

Reverend Kugonza further revealed that Bishop Kasangaki informed the synod that he will be retiring on 3rd August this year after clocking the mandatory age of 65 years.

Reverend Kugonza added that Bishop Kasangaki, who has served for 13 years, is expected to hand over to his successor in August next year.

The prelate listed the construction of a new cathedral, a new bishop’s residence as some of Bishop Kasangaki’s achievements of his reign.

Bishop Kasangaki became the second bishop of Masindi Kitara Diocese after taking over from Stanly Ntagali who later became the archbishop of the Anglican Church in 2012.

By Aggrey Twesigye

MBARARA

Police in Mbarara city are investigating circumstances under which a boy’s dormitory at shuhada’e Islamic secondary went up in frames on Friday morning and students property worth millions was destroyed.

The devastating fire started at 4:50 am when students were sleeping, resulting in one student identified as Sulaiman Baingana,17 sustaining serious injuries. Currently, the injured student is hospitalized at Holy Innocents Hospital in Mbarara city.

The fire destroyed everything inside the dormitory including; mattresses,shoes, suitcases and books.

SP Kellen Namara, the Mbarara city south division police commander , reported that fire prevention and Rescue services quickly responded to a fire in Dar-es-salaam House, a boys’ dormitory where 202 students from forms three and two reside. The fire started around 4:50 am on Friday.

Namara stated that police are currently investigating the cause of the fire and appealed to students who have any information about its origin to come forward and assist in the investigation.

SP Colleb Agaba, the Rwizi Regional fire officer, praised the students for swiftly evacuating the dormitory. He also mentioned ongoing investigations to determine the cause of the fire.

Mugerwa Kafero the headteacher shuhada’e Islamic secondary said the school board members are going to meet and determine the next course of action for students whose properties have been lost in the fire.

He however called on the government to come to learners rescue to enable learners continue with their studies.

Mugerwa Kafero, the headteacher shuhada’e Islamic Secondary School, mentioned that the school board will convene to decide the next course of action for students whose property has been lost in the fire. He also appealed to the government to assist the students so they can continue their studies without disruption.