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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 Wilber Muhwezi Kasibante
www.mknewslink.com
in Bushenyi——-
The senior presidential advisor on media and public affairs Canon Hon. Mary karooro Okurut has warned Bweranyangi girls students to avoid teasing and bulling because it affects new students even mentally and psychologically.
She sounded the warning yesterday after attending Sunday service in the new chapel at the school.
She noted that during her senior one at the school because of bullying, their fellow new student was named yellow banana because she was brown.
However, students confirmed to the school patron of the old girls association that teasing and bullying were no more in Bweranyangi girls.
She appealed to students to pray to God and even get saved because God is most high.
Canon Karooro hailed the headmistress of the school Mrs Julliet Muzoora for being committed to the performance of the students both at A’level and O’levels with an excellent one.
She noted that she had been promoted but the news will come officially to students and staff as well as parents.
Canon Karooro called up on students of Bweranyangi to remain committed to their books in order for the results to remain on top of Uganda.

By Wilber muhwenzi kasibante
www.mknewslink.com
in Bushenyi
Ruyonza school a traditional education centre has best O level and A level the best student at UACE 2023 has 19 points.
Nuwahereza Emmy with GEA 19 points. The headteacher of the school Authur Taratwebirwe Tibamanya told mknewslink.com that the school is growing steadily with good enrolment.
He noted that the school will perform well and attain old glory as it used to shake Greater Bushenyi and Ankole.
Other students who passed very well are Maseraka Jimmy 17 PCM,Arinda Stuart 16 GEA, Aziirwe Ayebare HLD 15, Nabashenya Sheilah HKG 15,Turyahabwe Fred PEM 14, Aturinda Resty GEA 14 among others.
Ruyonza school used to shine so many years back and that is where the Dupty speaker of parliament RT HON Thomas Tayebwa studied from.

By Wilber Muhwezi Kasibante
www.mknewslink.com
In Bushenyi—–
Butuuro financial services located in Nyakabirizi division yesterday made record of making a profit of one billion from 3.5 million made in 2007 when it had just started.
This was revealed yesterday by the founder of the SACCO Mr. Pison Mugizi who was full of happiness after the SACCO made a profit of one billion with branches in Nyakabirizi, Kyabugimbi, Kashenshero and Bikurungu in Rukungiri district.
The founder Mr. Pison Mugizi revealed that the SACCO began with one million and now it has asset and cash portfolio of 20 billion.
The chairman board of directors Mr. Benson Barigye Mbugane assured members that the SACCO is moving on the right path and is now as a Certified Public Accountant, therefore no money can be stolen or misused in his presence.
He added that this year, they will open a branch in Mbarara city which will serve the city and surrounding areas.
The chief guest who is also the vice chancellor Kyambogo university Prof. Elly Katunguka Rwakishaya urged members of Butuuro and other people around to take their children to schools in order for them to have a fruitful future.
He added that parents should utilize Kyambogo Bushenyi learning center because when you study from Katungu learning centre, there is no difference with a person who studies from main campus Kampala.
Dignitaries who attended the AGM include, Assistant commissioner in charge of trade industry and cooperative Hope Christine Komujuni, board members who included; Henry Bamwine the treasurer who has done a technical great job in making sure Butuuro Sacco grows.

By Ambrose Kweronda
in Kisoro—-

Police in Kisoro District are investigating circumstances under which a shooting incident involving Uwimana Rashid Baker, also known as Byirimana, a 35-year-old resident of Rugyendabare village, Rutaka parish in Nyundo sub-county.

The deceased was reportedly shot and killed by PC Wilson Bazimaziki, a security guard at Chameleon Hotel, after allegedly attempting to harm the officer with a panga while evading arrest.

The fatal incident occurred when Baker, armed with a panga, allegedly attacked Komuhangi Stephen in his shop squeezing his neck and forcefully demanding money.

Residents intervened and rescued Stephen on the night of 1/12/2023 at around 8:00 PM in Rugyendabare village.

Baker the deceased sustained a gunshot wound to the leg (tibia), and after falling, the panga was recovered from him. Despite being rushed to Kisoro Hospital, he succumbed to injuries on the way.

The police statement characterizes the deceased as a security threat due to his attack on Komuhangi Stephen’s life.

Elly Maate, the Kigezi Region Police spokesperson, confirmed the incident and a team of officers was dispatched to the crime scene, conducting a thorough examination and documentation.

Maate added that relevant witness statements were obtained, and Komuhangi Stephen underwent a medical examination, while a postmortem was conducted to further investigate the circumstances surrounding Uwimana Rashid Baker’s death

BY AMBROSE KWERONDA

in Kisoro District

Authorities in Nyabwishenya sub-county Kisoro District have warned residents of muko village to stop providing accommodation to Congolese residents illegally during the night.

According to the leaders Muko village is at the border of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
During the phone interview with www.mknewslink.com reporter today the LC1 chairman Muko village David Surwugwe urged residents to always report to him and his committee instead of keeping them in their houses which could result into security problems

He added that some Ugandans married Congolese thus the cause of the insecurity in the area . He added that they have spent a week without soldiers in the government land.

LCV councillor for Nyabwishenya sub county Ponsiano Barihafi revealed that he discussed with the army commander and told him that the available road is in sorry state and the vehicle that brings food cannot reach there and soldiers went to pick food till now.

Mr Laurent Uwiringiyimana the chairman local councilor 3 for Nyabwishenya sub-county urged residents to always report to the authority whenever they see unknown people in their village.

By Wilber Muhwezi Kasibante
In Bushenyi—-
Nyakabirizi division council has today Nov.21, 2023 passed a resolution to rename Bushenyi Ishaka municipality to Bushenyi municipality.
The motion was moved by Seith Mugisha councilor representing Rwenjeru ward. It was anonymously approved by the whole council.
Councilors revealed that Nyakabirizi division is not heard anywhere in the name of the municipality.
The division speaker, Hon Twijukye makayi told councilors the town clerk of the division should send their resolution to the municipal council for consideration.
Hon. Karugaba councilor representing Ntungamo ward to the municipality advised councilors at the division to lobby their colleagues in central division and have a common voice.
Mr. Pison Mugizi the president of Bushenyi Ishaka municipal development forum argued that it was called Bushenyi Ishaka when it was still a town council up to 2010 July but now it doesn’t add up to still call it the same name and leave out other divisions.
The council meeting was the 1st ever to be held in the new building that the division has struggled and put in place. Its remaining with final finishing.

Nyakabiri Division councilors today in council

By www.mknewslink.com

Uganda is greatly endowed with many wildlife species, however, its diversity is hugely threatened by both poaching and wildlife trade.

Key among the most targeted species are the elephants because of their hooves, penises, ivory and tusks, pangolins because of their scales among other species.

In addition to being a source country, Uganda is also a transit node and a regional logistical hub for the trade in illegal wildlife from Central Africa, mostly the DRC’s Garamba National Park.

According to Traffic, a wildlife trade monitoring Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), pangolins have been mostly targeted for poaching and trafficking in Uganda. Uganda is estimated to be losing in excess of Shs.2 trillion annually to Illegal Financial Flows (IFFs) being the fourth-largest illicit activity worldwide, generating $7 – 23bn per year.

With increasing global integration and trade openness, the susceptibility of economies to abuse of trade practices by criminals to move value has increased over time. For instance, in 2021, global trade hit a record high of $28.5 trillion. Such characteristics coupled with inadequate resources and differences in priorities of relevant agencies to facilitate the investigation of illicit trade makes the global financial and trade systems susceptible to Illicit Financial Flows.

IFFs manifest in three broader categories: a). commercial activities like tax evasion, smuggling, abuse of transfer pricing trade mis-invoicing, aggressive tax planning); b). criminal activities like poaching, illegal mineral trade, drug trafficking); and c). corruption.

Vincent Opyene, chief executive of the Natural Resources Conservation Agency, an organization partnering with the Uganda Wildlife Authority to combat wildlife crime, said illegal trade in pangolins is increasing worldwide, including in Uganda.

“The problem of illegal trade in pangolins and pangolin scales is increasing every day and, if not controlled and managed, can easily lead to extinction of the species,” Opyene cautioned.

According to the Oxpeckers Investigative Environmental Journalism, two male adults identified as Bosco Mukasa aged 34 and Simon Kyakwahuwre were arrested in Kibaale western Uganda on 6th July 2020 with one live pangolin after a tipoff from local residents that they deal in pangolins.

The duo was charged with unlawful possession of protected species contrary to Section 36 (1) and 71 (1) (b) of the Uganda Wildlife Act, 2019.

Offenders convicted of crimes related to wildlife species classified as extinct in the wild, or critically endangered, face the highest penalty under Uganda’s Wildlife Act 2019 of a Shs20-billion fine or life imprisonment, or both. However, poaching continues to happen regardless of the strong laws in place.

Bashir Hangi the Communications Manager Uganda Wildlife Authority says there are a number of factors driving the illegal acts in the country. “Some are ranging from cultural, to economic; some people involve in poaching because they want animal parts for rituals, medicine, for use as regalia, others want game meat to supplement their nutritional needs while other poach for the market,” he noted.

Bashir added that the economic motive is behind wildlife trafficking which is considered lucrative, after drugs and human trafficking. For instance, in May 2020 fourteen Chinese nationals were arrested in Uganda in possession of 10 elephant penises worth over US$4.5 million, six tortoises, and half a kilogram of pangolin scales, together worth an estimated US$8 000.

These illegal wildlife products, such as the elephant penises were stockpiled by the poachers and were en route to international destination markets before being seized by the Ugandan authorities.

Opyene also revealed that many poachers continue to be lured in the illegal activity especially poaching pangolins following myths that there is a lot of money to be pocketed. “Every time we arrest poachers who are involved in this they keep telling us it [the scales] will go for about $150 per kilo, and yet I haven’t come across anyone willing to buy pangolin scales at that amount; it is just a myth they keep believing that the market is there,” he noted.

On 20th October, Pascal Achiba was handed a life sentence by the Utilities and Wildlife Court after being convicted for unlawful possession of protected species (with nearly 10 kg of elephant ivory). UWA head Sam Mwandha called the sentence “a landmark achievement in the fight against illegal wildlife trade”.

Achiba who had previously served 18 months in jail for possession of four pieces of ivory was given a life sentence because he was a “habitual offender according to the court’s chief magistrate Gladys Kamasanyu. However, some people had mixed reactions regarding the punishment.

Kevin Karugaba a peasant famer in Matanda in Kanungu district says this was too harsh arguing that at least the court would have given Achiba a lenient punishment since the authorities continue to fastrack the wildlife protection. “Many government officials and civil servants are corrupt, others steal drugs from hospitals putting many lives at risk but none of them has ever been sentenced to life imprisonment,” Karugaba said.

He added “it’s not okay killing the elephants since they are sources of revenue for the country but I think Achiba also has a family looking up to him and now they are left to suffer that’s why I think the court would have been a bit lenient.”

Sabiiti Nicholas a hotelier and tourism enthusiast noted that the court made the right decision if Achiba was not a firs time offender.

“The country loses a lot of revenue every time such species are killed but many people just focus on individual gain which doesn’t make sense to me,” Sabiiti said.

Harmony Kobusingye a social worker also noted that the court’s decision was a good lesson to other offenders. “I think this serves as a key lesson to all those who still involve in the vice and maybe our wildlife can also have justice,” she noted.

The Uganda government has instituted various mechanisms to counter IFFs through the creation of institutions such as the Financial Intelligence Authority (FIA), Criminal Investigations Department (CID), URA Customs, and the Inspectorate of Government among others. Despite these efforts, commitment and collaboration among these institutions remains low.

Bashir says poaching still happens although at minimal levels following UWA’s vigilance in apprehending wildlife offenders which threatens poachers. “We are engaging in public sensitization which has made people realize that poaching steals from us and as such a number have quit the vice,” Bashir added.

UWA executive director Sam Mwandha is optimistic that in years to come, the organization will have the best workforce in wildlife protection in the region.

“This process will result in us having a highly skilled workforce in the East African region, which will help the country fight wildlife crime. Once we have a highly skilled force, criminals will hate their trade and wildlife numbers will increase,” said Mwandha

By Aggrey Twesigye
in mbarara—-

Police in Mbarara district are investigating circumstances under which a 24-year-old man was allegedly murdered by his friend after developing a misunderstanding in a bar on Friday.

The deceased identified as Reagan Turinawe ,was allegedly murdered by John Paul Turyasingura at the suspect’s residence in Akashanda cell, Bukiiro Sub county, Mbarara district.
SP Samson Kasasira the Rwizi Regional Police Spokesperson disclosed that the duo developed a misunderstanding while at bar in Akashanda Trading centre,but later left together at around 1pm to the house of the suspect, who picked a panga from the house and cut the throat of the deceased which caused profusely bleeding and thus died.

Kasasira explained that police responded to the scene of crime, documented it and conveyed the body of the deceased to Mbarara regional referral hospital for a postmortem report.

The murder weapon was recovered and exhibited.

Kasasira added that police has arrested the suspect to help police in investigation

By Aggrey Twesigye
in Ibanda/Mbarara city—–

Police in Ibanda are investigating circumstances surrounding the death of a village chairperson of Akeibumba cell,Ruyoza ward ,Bufunda division in Ibanda municipality, .The 56 year old William Katabarwa was found dead and his body dumped in a hill.

According to SP Samson Kasasira the Rwizi Regional Police Spokesperson,the deceased left home on sunday at around 3pm with a bag of row coffee which he had taken for sale at a factory in Ibanda.

Kasasira in a press statement,noted that the deceased later came back home at around 6:30Pm before he told his wife Josephine Kembabazi that he was going to Rwamanyonyi trading centre .

Kasasira however added that the wife of the deceased later became suspicious after waiting for her husband to return home but all in vain.The police mouthpiece noted that this prompted the relatives to mount a search for the deceased until locals discovered his lifeless body dumped in a hill in the wee hours of Monday.

Kasasira said that police later responded to the scene of crime and retrieved the body of the deceased before conveying it to Ruhoko Health Centre IV mortuary pending postmortem.

He added that police has intensified investigations into the matter