Day

By Moses Andama

www.mknewslink.com

In Masindi—-

Councilors in Masindi municipality have accused planner Daniel Kisakye of embezzling 22 million shillings meant for construction of new administration block. The funds were allocated in the 2023/24 financial year budget.

Peter Ndabi councilor questioned Kisakye on how 22 million was spent on bricks alone which he claims were not worth the money.

Hon Alinaitwe another councilor expressed surprise that Kiaakye claimed to have spent the entire amount on bricks.

Mayor Masindi municipality Ronald Kyomuhendo blamed Kisakye for making discrepancies in the budget.

Daniel Kisakye the municipal planner in his response claimed that as technical experts, they had to adjust the budget according to the available funds.

Tadeo Opio municipal speaker tasked Kisakye to provide report on how the 22 million was spent on bricks and present it in the next council sitting.

By www.mknewslink.com

In Kampala—

Speaker Anitah Among has received the body of the late State Minister of Defense in Charge of Veteran Affairs and former Kisoro District Woman Member of Parliament, Sarah Mateke.

The body of the late Sarah Mateke will lie in state in the foyer for public viewing ahead of a special parliamentary sitting this afternoon, where Members of Parliament are expected to pay tribute and mourn the departed lawmaker.

Her body will be transported to Nyakabingo, Kisoro District at 9:00a.  on Wednesday 11^th Sept.2024 and taken to district Council hall at 2:00 p.m.  for councilors to pay tribute to the late then a church service will be held at 4:00 p.m.

The fallen State Minister of Defense and Veteran Affairs (Defence), will be laid to rest in Kisoro district on Thursday.

Sarah Mateke Nyirabashitsi passed on Nyirabashitsi, who also doubled as Kisoro NRM Woman MP, passed away on Saturday morning.

The minister’s father, Philemon Mateke, said the family members were “rushing her to Mulago hospital but died on arrival.”

He added, “She succumbed to a heart attack.”

By Isaac Mumbere

www.mknewslink.com

In Kasese—

Police in Kasese are investigating circumstances that caused a 28-year-old woman to commit suicide at KCCL water canal in Kifumbira cell, Kisuju ward, Mubuku town council

Sylivia Nyakisiki, a mother of three, took her own life by drowning in the KCCL water canal and she is a third to commit suicide at the canal since this year started.

According to Stephen Bagonza, the LC I chairperson of Kigando cell, Nyakisiki recently underwent health tests at a local facility, which revealed unexpected results which may have caused her significant stress, leading to her tragic decision.

Julius Sunday, Nyakisiki’s uncle, expressed his family’s grief, having lost two loved ones to the water channel appealing to KCCL and the government to work together to find a solution to the recurring problem.

Joseph Nyamutale, the LCIII chairperson, who arrived at the scene shortly after the incident, attributed Nyakisiki’s suicide to her fear of impending death due to her illness, emphasizing the importance of understanding that diseases have stages and encouraged the public to seek help early.

Nyamutale also urged KCCL management to address the residents’ concerns about the water channel, suggesting it be covered to prevent further tragedies. He stressed the need for development that prioritizes both progress and human life.

In response to the incident, Police Spokesperson SP Tumushime Nelson for East Rwenzori said, “We are deeply saddened by this tragic event. Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of Nyakisiki Sylvia. We will work closely with the community and KCCL to identify measures to prevent such incidents in the future.”

The police have begun investigating the circumstances surrounding Nyakisiki’s death, and KCCL has been urged to take immediate action to ensure the safety of the community.

By Aggrey Twesigye

www.mknewslink.com

In Mbarara—-

It is a somber mood at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital after the body of their missing colleague, Judith Kyarisiima, was found floating on river Rwizi.

The 52-year-old senior midwife, in charge of the maternal and child health unit, was discovered and retrieved from River Rwizi on Tuesday, September 10, 2024.

Kyarisiima has been missing since September 2, 2024, when she was last seen around 7:00 p.m. at her home in Katete Central, Mbarara City. Her sudden disappearance prompted police to launch an investigation, and last week, her husband was arrested to assist in the inquiry.

Kyarisiima, who served as the National General Secretary for the Uganda Nurses and Midwives Union, has been with Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital since 1997.

Her death has left a deep void among her colleagues and the broader medical community. Police investigations are ongoing as they seek to uncover the circumstances surrounding her tragic death.

By www.mknewslink.com

In Njeru, Uganda—–

The National Forestry Authority (NFA) and the National Defence College (NDC) are deepening their collaboration to address the interrelated issues of forestry management and national security in Uganda.

This was highlighted during a recent presentation by the Acting Executive Director of NFA, Stuart Maniraguha, to 22 students and faculty members at the NDC, led by Brigadier General Dr. Stephen Kusasira, head of the Faculty of Policy and Security Studies.

In his opening remarks, Brigadier General Dr. Stephen Kusasira emphasized the importance of a holistic understanding of security.

“The training allows the students to learn security in a broader sense. The intention is to train our students and make them see and plan beyond the military and to know how government does its business,” he said.

The course participants, comprising of professionals from law, administration, medicine, and other fields, are spending a year at the college, reflecting on a multidisciplinary approach to national security.

During his presentation, Stuart Maniraguha provided a detailed overview of Uganda’s forestry policies, strategies, and the critical role that forests play in national development and security.

Students at NDC attending a lecture by the Ag ED NFA Stuart Maniraguha on Forestry Management

Brigadier General Charity Bainababo attend the lecture on forestry Managemnet at NDC in Njeru

“Uganda’s forest cover, decreased from 24% in 1990 to 12% in 2021.If we also decide to do nothing and continue to use the forest resources available, by 2050 we will have nothing left of forests in Uganda,” Maniraguha warned.

He highlighted the dire consequences of deforestation, including increased human-wildlife conflicts and erratic rainfall patterns that are impacting livelihoods across the country.

Maniraguha further explained the NFA’s mandate to manage Central Forest Reserves (CFRs) in Uganda, which includes activities such as land use and land cover mapping, raising and supplying quality tree seedlings, demarcating CFR boundaries, restoring forest reserves, engaging communities in collaborative management, and enforcing laws.

“Forests are safety nets that whoever has nothing can run in and tap onto the resources to survive. Forests are no longer an issue of livelihood but life itself,” he said, emphasizing the critical role of forests in the lives of Ugandans.

The NFA’s efforts are supported by several legal frameworks and policies, including the 1995 Constitution, the National Forestry and Tree Planting Act of 2003, the National Environment Act of 2019, the Uganda Wildlife Act of 2019, and the Climate Change Act of 2021. These frameworks provide the basis for sustainable forest management and restoration efforts, which include a national target to restore 375,000 hectares annually in line with Vision 2040. Maniraguha also noted recent government actions, such as executive orders on charcoal burning and timber exports, aimed at curbing deforestation.

During the interactive session, Brigadier General Charity Bainababo raised concerns about the challenges of balancing forest conservation with development.

“When we touch politicians about cutting forests, they say you are touching our voters. We need more mobilization and sensitization of these people,” she said.

Maniraguha agreed, underscoring the need for strengthened policy frameworks, improved enforcement, community empowerment, and increased investment in forestry management.

Col. Richard Kitatta Seguya also inquired about land issues related to deforestation.

“When we lost the forest, did we lose the land also?” he asked, reflecting a broader concern about land tenure and illegal titles in protected areas.

The engagement between NFA and NDC students and faculty marks a significant step toward integrating environmental sustainability into national security strategies. As Uganda faces increasing challenges related to deforestation and climate change, partnerships like these will be crucial in shaping a resilient and sustainable future.

By Ambrose Kweronda

www.mknewslink.com

In Kabale—

The territorial police in Kabale have arrested five suspects accused of stealing street lights and solar panels, and allegedly selling them in Rubanda District.

The suspects are; Gerevazio Ampaire, alias Mukiga, 18, a herdsman and resident of Kigongi Cell, Central Ward, Kabale Municipality, Martin Muhereza, 28, a businessman and resident of Hamurwa, Rubanda District, Esera Mirembe, 40, a resident of Muruhita Village, Rubanda District, Gerevazio Habomugisha, 40, a resident of Hamurwa Village, Rubanda District and Edita Arinaitwe, 22, a businesswoman and resident of Kakore Cell, Rubanda District.

According to a police statement, between July and September 2024, the suspects allegedly conspired to steal and maliciously damage street lights in Kabale Municipality. The affected areas include Makanga Cell, Rwakaraba Cell, Rushoroza, and Nyabikoni. The damaged property, valued at UGX 225,750,000, belonged to the Government of Uganda and was specifically for Kabale Municipality.

The suspects reportedly carried out these acts on multiple occasions, selling the stolen items in Rubanda District to an individual identified as Nuwamanya, who remains at large. Nuwamanya is the husband of one of the suspects, Arinaitwe Edita.

Elly Maate, the Kigezi Region Police spokesperson, informed journalists this morning that the suspects were apprehended following an intelligence tip-off and were arrested at their hideout, while some accomplices are still on the run.

He added that during the arrests, a search was conducted, leading to the recovery of two solar batteries from Mirembe Esera and another individual, Mushwaza.

Maate also noted that the theft of street lights has been an ongoing issue in Kabale Municipality, with several cases reported at Kabale Police Station. Investigations are ongoing, and authorities are working to identify and apprehend the remaining suspects.

Local leaders, municipal officials, and the police have visited the crime scenes, and the five arrested suspects are now in police custody. Efforts to track down more accomplices continue.