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By Aggrey Twesigye

MBARARA

Activists under the Friends of Women Initiative (FROWI) have launched a nationwide campaign aimed at mobilizing citizens to resist land grabbing and forced evictions. The initiative, unveiled during a press briefing in Mbarara City, seeks to empower communities across Uganda to defend their land rights through legal education and advocacy.

Bonny Beinomugisha, the legal officer of Friends of Women Initiative, outlined the campaign’s objectives and strategies. She emphasized the importance of educating citizens about their land rights and equipping them with knowledge of land laws. Beinomugisha stressed that raising awareness among the populace is crucial to combating land grabbing and ensuring equitable access to land resources.

In her address to the press, Beinomugisha called upon government officials, community leaders, judges, and lawyers to actively uphold land and property rights. She urged them to reject land grabbing and resolve conflicts fairly and transparently. Additionally, she appealed to agencies like the Uganda Land Commission to take firm action against officials colluding with land grabbers.

Highlighting concerns about security forces’ involvement in illegal evictions, Beinomugisha urged police and the army to refrain from supporting land grabbers. She urged security personnel to uphold the law and protect residents from unlawful evictions.

The FROWI campaign signals a concerted effort to combat land injustices and promote social justice across Uganda. As the initiative gains momentum, activists anticipate broad public support in safeguarding communities against the threats of land grabbing and forced displacements.

BY WILBER MUHWEZI KASIBANTE

IN ISHAKA BUSHENYI

Equity bank the fastest growing bank in Africa officially launched Ishaka branch in style at a very high level function held at PEAK HOTEL in Bushenyi town last evening on 28th June 2024 .

According to the branch manager FELIX BABEIHA, the branch opened earlier in 2020 during COVID 19 and since then it has never been launched hence done Yesterday .

The function was attended by Top management including the Executive Director, Branch managers, Regional managers, Politicians, customers from all works of life among others.

The Chief Guest Mr Alozious Barugahare a retired Banker called upon the customers of Equity Bank to take loans and other services and use them carefully.

He added that they should take loans but not use them to buy cars, marry second wives and other luxuriously activities but rather use them purposefully.

Equity Bank according to the Regional manager Western Uganda,the Bank has 70 Branches all over the country and has many Agency banking agents all over the country.

Mr. Agaba Joran added that the Bank is operating in 7 African countries and has the following loan products the Ishaka customers and other Branches can benefit from; Asset finance, Equi loan, Civil servants loan, youth loans, Agriculture loans among others.

By Kweronda Ambrose

RUKIGA DISTRICT

Panic and anxiety has griped the National Resistance Movement Party in Rukiga District as the incumbent MP Hon Roland Ndyomugyenyi Bish endorsed Mr Magezi Alex Kanuga for NRM Primaries as his Preferred candidate to compete agaisnt in General elections.

This happened on Sunday at a joint fundraising event at Katungu Church of Uganda in Kamwezi Sub County Rukiga District where the two were guests .

“I am going to stand as an independent so support Alex in NRM Primaries because he is as hard working as me and we shall decide if either of us becomes the next MP”, Bish stated

In approval Magezi Alex Kanuga thanked the MP for delivering and meeting expectations.
It is this bromance that was exhibited that worried NRM leaders .

Alex Magezi in 2023 declared that he had crossed from FDC to NRM and had earlier been the campaign agent for the current MP having pulled out of the race for MP Rukiga in 2021 last minute.

In the follow up to 2021 elections ,Alex Magezi Kanuga worked tireless to frust the then NRM candidate Adson Kakuru resulting into his loss.

With Magezi defecting to NRM recently and declaring that he was intending to stand in NRM primaries ,recent revelations and endorsement of the principal turned competitor has not only shocked Party faithfulls but have created anxiety regarding chances of Party capturing the seat from the Independent opposition leaning Ndyomugyenyi Roland Bish .Many observes suggest that just like 2021,the two seem be praying games to ensure that the MP bounces back by manipulating NRM primaries .

Top contenders eyeing the same seat are Kiconco Katabaazi Patrick KP ,Laston Besigye and ,Chris Kivumba.

One of the NRM diehards who talked on condition of anonymity suggested that NRM Party should work very hard to eliminate candidates whose commitment to the party is in doubt at an early stage .He says that allowing a candidate who will work for the candidates in general elections will be catastrophic.

With current confusion, we wait to see how the Rukiga area MP race shapes up.

By KWERONDA AMBROSE

KABALE

Kabale District LCV Chairman, Mr. Nelson Nshangabasheija, has urged the Ugandan government to compensate traders who lost their businesses during the closure of the Katuna-Rwanda border.

The Katuna Border was closed on February 27, 2019, following disagreements between Uganda and Rwanda. It was reopened in 2022 after discussions between the son of the President of Uganda and the President of Rwanda.

Speaking at the opening of a two-day meeting with cross-border traders, organized by the Uganda Revenue Authority, Border Traders, and Trademark Africa through the Ministry of East African Community Affairs, held at White Horse Inn Makanga in Kabale District, Nshangabasheija emphasized the need for government intervention to help traders recover from the devastating effects of the border closure.

The purpose of the two-day meeting was to devise strategies to help small-scale cross-border traders build resilience against future shocks.

Nshangabasheija pointed out that many traders had taken loans to finance their businesses, only to see them wiped out when the border was closed, leaving them with no choice but to abandon their enterprises.

Nshangabasheija expressed hope that the government would heed his call and provide the necessary support to help traders recover from the losses they suffered due to the border closure.

He emphasized the importance of cross-border trade in fostering economic cooperation between Uganda and its neighbouring countries and urged all stakeholders to work together to ensure its continued growth and success.

Some cross-border traders reported that the border closure prevented them from repaying loans they had taken from banks and other money lenders. Many traders had to leave the trading business entirely and switch to other jobs because they could no longer transport their goods to Rwanda.

Responding to the traders, Sarah Nakate, the Principal Regional Integration Officer on Economic Affairs from the Ministry of East African Community Affairs, said that the ministry is still documenting the losses suffered by business traders due to the border closure.

She promised to address the matter with the responsible agencies to seek appropriate solutions.

Participants discussed various ways to improve their operations, including diversifying their product offerings, expanding their customer base, and exploring alternative trade routes.

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 ANDAMA MOSES

MASINDI

The High number of teenage pregnancy cases registered at Bwijanga health center iv in Bwijanga subcounty Masindi district is worrying authorities .

According to Dr Cris Muhumuza, the In-charge clinical services Bwijanga health center iv, they recieve over 600 teenage mothers within a period of 6 months and over 100 in month something he says needs urgent intervention.

“We have very big burden of teenage pregnancies, in month we receive over 100 teenagers in antenatal unit between the age of 15-18 and out of those over 30 deliver from our facility and majority don’t turn up here , some under go home delivery by traditional birth attendants and others at near by health facilities. Muhumuza asserted ”

Muhumuza attributed this cause to poor family back ground where most of the teenagers failed to complete their studies hence dropping out very early and become idle thus end up getting pregnancy .
He adds that most of those who report to deliver at the health center don’t have delivery kit(mama kit) despite the health education they give them and attributed it poverty and poor planning during their antenatal time.

Muhumuza revealed this while recieving mama kits that were delivered by Safe plan mother’s foundation Uganda to Bwijanga health center iv on behalf of Incharge who had some engagement.

Muhumuza says they have been getting delivery kits from the government through ministry of health since the population has grown .the kits have become limited.

Now that the population has grown some expectant mothers don’t get the kits we appreciate organisations that come out and support government through delivering such important necessities.

“a Mother who is below age of 18 is still growing and thus the pelvis is not large enough to push the baby most of them end up been operated and each operation increases the risk of being operated again . You can only be operated 4 times maximum and since those are still young mothers and by the age of 30 they would have lost other opportunities of producing again Muhumuza noted.”

While handing over the kits to the health center authorities , James Mudede the chairman lc3 of the area says parents have not taken much time to advise their children. Most of them leave their children to go and work in bars, sugarcane, and lodges and in most times people get advantage of pregnanting them in such places .

He says after the sub county experiencing such high case of teenage pregnancies, as leaders in order to cub the situation they have come up with sone resolutions among which includes ;parents to stop sending their children to go and work in bars and lodges, and also people who always want to give jobs to people should ask for their national i identity cards in order to differentiate between teenagers and adults.

Mudede says early pregnancy can lead to maternal death at the time of giving birth especially for teenagers and also there will be high rate of school drop out in the area since the their parents cant afford their education due to teenage age.

Sherifa Nabule Ceo Safe plan mother’s foundation Uganda says they care about well being of mothers and support them by lobbying for them delivery kits so that they can have safe and healthy child delivery .

21 kits where given out to the expectant teenage mothers .

Above is dr cris Muhumuza speaking to journalists after recieving the kits. Bellow him is group photo for the expectant mothers who received the kits

By ANDAMA MOSES

MASINDI

Police in Masindi district are investigating the circumstances under which a man was discovered dead in a lodge.

Pasitore Balyarugahyo, a 56-year-old sales manager for Cloud Mineral Water in Kawempe Division, was discovered dead in port lodge within masindi town at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 9, 2024.

Suspicion arose when one of the client’s doors remained closed beyond the 10:00 a.m. check-out time.

Ms. Asaba Evelyn, the lodge manager, told Mk News link that she went to the deceased’s room and knocked on the door, but there was no response.

This prompted her to access the room only to find Balyarugahyo lying dead in the bathroom floor, which forced her to report the matter to Masindi Central Police Station.

Julius Allan Hakiza, the Albertine Regional Police Spokesperson, said police rushed to the scene, retrieved the body, and conveyed it to Masindi Hospital Mortuary for postmortem examination.

‘’The body was conveyed to Masindi Hospital mortuary for postmortem, and the truck registration number UBP 884B parked with water was towered to Masindi Central Police Station.’’

Hakiza said police are investigating the cause of the death.

By Kweronda Ambrose
in Kabale—–

The Kabale Grade I Magistrates Court has sentenced a 46 years old man to four years in imprison for defrauding Ugx 19.5M from Kabale business woman.

Court that was presided over by the Kabale Grade I Magistrate Julius Mutabazi heard from prosecution led by Rachael Nkwanzi that Lauben alias kafeero obtained Ugx 19.5 Million from Dorcus Asinguza promising to go in a joint Irish potatoes growing venture with her.

Prosecution told court yesterday that Nyakarasi while obtain the money it was money that was meant for hiring land to cultivate, seeds and to hire a vehicle and after getting the money he switched off his phones but was later arrested after tracking him phone number.

Nkwanzi asked court that Nyakarasi be sentenced to a maximum sentence of 5 years as nth accused having know had committed the crime and he denied leading to a full trial as he took advantage of Asinguza who was naïve and misused the trust that she had put in him and gave him Ugx 19.5m.

While delivering the judgment Mutabazi said that Nyakarasi well knowing that used the high level of manipulation when he knew he was not going to do the but went on to extort money from her leading top great economic in convince it was then that he sentenced him to 4 years in prison but he is to serve 2 years and 8 months having been on remanded for one year and four months.

Mutabazi also ordered him to refund the Ugx 19.5m that he obtained from Asinguza

By Andama Moses
in Masindi—-
The Minister for Education and Sports, Janet Kataha Museveni, has urged students to embrace vocational training.

In her message delivered by the state minister for higher education, John Chrysestom Muyingo, while presiding over the 5th graduation ceremony of students at Uganda Technical College (UTC) Kyema today friday, the minister said that the government is committed to ensuring all youth are skilled to curb unemployment and reduce criminality in the country.

Kataha also said the government is committed to establishing more vocational institutions at the constituency level with the aim of skilling many citizens.

Andrew Musaazi, the college principal, commended the government and community for their support. He also asked grandaunts to be job creators, not seekers, and put to use the skills and knowledge they have attained while at the college.

Francis Kyomuhendo, the college chairperson of the governing council, however, stressed that the number of grandaunts is still slow, mostly among the females.

He, however, asked grandaunts to go out and be good ambassadors for both vocational skills and the college, adding that the opportunities are open and they should be ready to utilize them.

Cosmas Byaruhanga, the Masindi LC5 Chairman, asked grandaunts to upgrade for further studies, noting that there is a high demand for their professionals.

He, however, asked the government to consider rehabilitating traditional schools in Bunyoro sub region citing Kabalega Secondary School in Masindi, and Sir Tito Winyi SS Hoima, saying the output for students is still low yet they feed the colleges with students.

In response, Minister Muyingo said that he would submit the issues to the ministry for consideration.

Out of 400 students who graduated, 79 were female and were awarded certificates and diplomas in different courses.

Currently, UTC Kyema has 738 students, and of these, 330 are pursuing diploma courses in different trainings.

By Ambrose Kweronda
In Kisoro—-
The Diocese of Muhabura has lifted the ban that had been imposed on Muganza Church of Uganda as a Parish under Seseme Archdeaconry after it allegedly received a donation of iron sheets from King Tycoon Caesar Augustine Mulenga, the Vietnamese Consular General, against the orders of the then Bishop of Muhabura Diocese, Rt Rev Cranmer Mugisha.

Muganza Parish was suspended by the Diocesan Synod through the Bishop of Muhabura Diocese, Rt. Rev Cranmer Mugisha, who barred the church for having ‘unwanted’ ties with businessman King Caesar Mulenga in 2018.

The suspension followed the donation of roofing iron sheets to the Church in November 2017.

A subsequent court battle ensued, with the Muhabura diocese suing Mulenga and the current Bufumbira South legislator, Eng. Alex Niyonsaba Seruganda, for ‘fueling conflicts in the Diocese’.

The Diocesan Registered Trustees led by Bishop Cranmer Mugisha sued Mulenga and Niyonsaba for donating 650 iron sheets towards the roofing of Muganza Church of Uganda.

The applicants claimed that the synod had resolved that no church should receive donations from Mulenga. However, the court case was dismissed with no costs, and Muhabura Diocese resolved to suspend Muganza Church of Uganda.

The ban threw Christians into uncertainty, leading to the birth of a new Church – Muganza B Church of Uganda – which was embraced by the Diocese as an alternative.

The suspension followed the donation of roofing iron sheets to the Church in November 2017.

The Bishop of the Diocese of Muhabura, Rev Godfrey Mbitse, has reinstated Muganza Church of Uganda as a Parish under Seseme Archdeaconry, Muhabura Diocese.

While closing a two-day Synod meeting at Seseme Girls’ Secondary School this, Rev Mbitse said the time is ripe for reconciliation in the Diocese.

“It’s been long since we withdrew the Priest from Muganza, but the Christians have fulfilled the necessities and apologized. The Synod has since resolved that when the Diocesan Council sits, Muganza should regain the Parish status and receive a Priest,” Bishop Mbitse told the Synod.

This means that Muganza Parish will resume Eucharistic and Holy Matrimony services, while lower churches that have been trekking to St. Andrew’s Seseme Cathedral for such services will formalize.

Rev Sam Ziita, the Head Teacher of Muganza Primary School, also a member of the Synod, expressed pleasure for the Synod’s decision.

“I thank the Synod for the wonderful decision. My fellow Christians and those from lower Churches are extremely happy upon this reconciliatory landmark,” said Ziita.

Among other things resolved in the Synod meeting include the advancement of education standards, upgrading Rutaka HCIII and Porter’s Village to Health Centre IV status, and completion of the Iryaruvumba Eye Clinic.

Also, on the priority list is the completion of the new Cathedral, which is at the roofing level.

This was the first Synod Meeting since Bishop Mbitse was enthroned as a Bishop of Muhabura Diocese in April last year.