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By our reporter
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In Kabale
Police in Kabale are investigating circumstances under which a 63 years old man was allegedly murdered by unknown assailants.
. The deceased has been identified as Michael Besigye of Kashenyi village Kicumbi parish Kamuganguzi sub county Kabale district.
It’s alleged that Besigye move out at around 05:00 hours to ease himself but didn’t go return to the house only to be found in a pool of blood outside the toilet in the morning.
The police visited the scene, found out that the deceased had been cut on the throat, and recovered a panga from the toilet with stains of blood.
However the family had tampered with the scene, bathed him, washed his clothes which arose suspicion of murder although they claim that he could have committed suicide or otherwise.
Postmortem had already been done and inquiries were underway by press time.
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By Felix Twinomugisha
www.mknewslink.com
In Bushenyi

Accidents in Bushenyi district are on rise, police have revealed.
This was revealed by the Greater Bushenyi Police spokesperson Martial Tumusiime while speaking to press yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon at Bushenyi Central Police Station.
SP Tumusiime said accidents are being caused by reckless driving and other people who drive under the influence of Alcohol. Martial said all these offenders will be taken to courts of law and charged
He cited out the recent accident on Saturday when a Tipa driver UAW 501 X caused double accidents in Ishaka town and Butaare in Kyamuhunga killing one on spot.
The deceased has been identified as Osbert Tumwekwatse, a resident of Ryeru in Kyamuhunga Subcounty Bushenyi district who was buried at his ancestral home on Monday.
However, there was drama at his burial when one Nuwe Sura gave out shs 10,000 claiming it had been sent by the Bushenyi district Woman Members of Parliament office and it was later proved a lie.
The office of Hon Mary Karoro Okurut has since confirmed the condolence message was given by Sura as an individual who just wanted to tarnish her name.

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By our reporter
www.mknewslink.com
In Mbarara
Western Uganda’s finest and celebrated comedian Valentine Muhereza commonly known as Kachaina last night narrowly survived death after his car tyres were shot at by robbers.
Kachaina on his facebook page said that the public should not take it to be comedy as usual because it was real.
Kachaina a TV personality, comedian was driving between Itendero and Kashaka when armed robbers hijacked him but when he refused to stop they chased him with bullets until Kashaka.
www.mknewslink.com will keep you updated on the matter.

www.mknewslink.com a greater western Uganda news website
Email: wmuhwezi75@gmail.com
Tel: +256702680106

By Domisiano Ayebare
www.mknewslink.com
In Bushenyi

The newly appointed principal judge Flavian Zeija is expected to visit Bushenyi magistrate’s court in March for pre-bargaining.
This was revealed by Joyce Kavuma the Mbarara resident judge as she opened high court today at court premises.
According to Kavuma, 40 cases will be heard in this session which will last for a month.
She noted that cases to be heard are; 21 cases of murder, 13 cases of aggravated robbery, and 6 cases of defilement beginning today 10th Feb 2020.

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By Ronald Kabanza.

www.mknewslink.com

In Rukungiri

The Rukungiri district local government public accounts committee (PAC) has resumed its investigations into the expenditure of Ugx 100 millions that was given to Kebisoni town council as startup capital.

 The investigations came after the former town clerk Nicholas Kahumuza and treasure Kenneth Byaruhanga failed to explain the whereabouts of this money.

 Kebisoni town council was created in 2016/17 financial year and given 100 millions as startup capital that was supposed to help the town council in its operations.

Wilson Kamukungu, the committee chairperson says that the current town clerk Charles Najunwah tried to explain to the PAC committee during the first visit of the committee but did not satisfy them a thing that prompted them to call the former town clerk and the treasure to explain the whereabouts of this money.

Kamukungu says the former town clerk Kahumuza must clearly explain accountability of this money or else be taken to courts of laws and be charged with corruption, misusing public office and misuse of tax payer’s money among others cases.

“They must present a clear document explaining the expenditure of this money and we shall not desist from arresting them in case of any failure or delay” Kamukungu said.

Charles Najunwah, the current town clerk told the committee members that he couldn’t satisfy them since he wasn’t in the office by the time when the town council was created.

“I couldn’t satisfy the committee because am not the one who received this money so the one whom I succeeded is the right person to explain this issue” Najunwah added.

On responding, the former town clerk told the committee that him and treasure used 20 million for purchasing town council, 30 millions for partitioning and renovating the administration block, 6 million for buying town council furniture and the rest used in the operations of the town council.

However, Kahumuza and the treasure Kenneth asked the committee to grant them a period of 3 days, which the committee granted and revisit the spending vouchers for the purposes of explaining thorough the expenditure of this money.

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Email: wmuhwezi75@gmail.com
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By Wilber Muhwezi Kasibante

www.mknewslink.com

In Bushenyi

As Bushenyi district prepares to host the national celebrations for International wetlands day, the natural resources coordinator Syril Mugyenyi has revealed that 20% of the wetlands in the district are encroached on.

Mugyenyi noted that the encroached on wetlands are used for cattle graizing, growing of crops.

Mugyenyi said this during a press conference organizing at Bumbaire subcounty by Uganda citizens’ alliance that mainly deals with wetland and water sources protection in south western and western regions.

The press conference that was held at venue were the national celebration will take place was attended by the district chairman jaffari Bassajabalaba,RDC Jolly Tibemyanya,Kizito Mwebesa Secretary of finance and councilor to Bumbaire sub county.

The president of the citizens alliance Deo Atuhaire called upon leaders to ensure that wetlands and water sources are protected both in south western and western regions for sustainable development.

In the press statement released by Director of programmes Elly  Muhwezi, they have visited R.Rwizi in Mbarara,Kahengye and Mitanda in Rukungiri,Mpanga river in Kamwengye,Kanyampanga in Kanungu ,Echuya,Kyangyengye and Nkaka in Kisoro.

Muhwezi noted that all these places need urgent attention by leaders to save them from encroachment by locals.

UCA noted that there is widespread drainage of water sources for agriculture citing out planting of eucalyptus trees in water catchment areas.

Muhwezi told the media that there is a member of parliament in Mbarara telling people not to leave banks of river Rwizi till government compensates them hugely.

Muhwezi noted that such leaders should be castigated because they are against future and present generation.

The RDC noted that the president has allowed people to use the wetlands sustainable like practicing fish farming, cutting papyrus to make mats

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Email: wmuhwezi75@gmail.com
Tel: +256702680106

By Felix Twinomugisha

www.mknewslink.com

In Ntungamo

The first lady also Minister of Education and sports Janet Kataaha Museveni has expressed her heartfelt condolences to the family of the Ntungamo Municipality MP Gerald Karuhanga over the death of his mother Jovah Kyomugisha Kafureeka.

The first lady  joined family members, relatives and others who had flocked the home to mayor Ntungamo Municipality Jacob Kafureeka commonly known as Jack Jex in Mishenyi village Itojo parish Itojo sub county Ruhaama county Ntungamo district to sympathize with Jacob Kafureeka the father to Hon Gerald Karuhanga.

Ms Janet Museveni who personally visited the family on Sunday mid morning offered Shs5 million to the family of Jacob Kafureeka for burial expenses.

She urged the husband to the deceased to be prayerful and always petition to God everything he wants.

Jovah Kyomugisha Kafureeka aged 56 years, was diagnosed with colon cancer in India before she was referred to Germany two months ago.

She was announced dead on February 1^st, 2020 in Germany where she was taken days ago.

The deceased was a daughter to the late Edward Kakutsyo who was one of the prominent pastoralists and business men in Ruyonza Rubaare in Rushenyi County.

Jacob Kafureeka described his late wife Kyomugisha as a blessing to the family noting that whatever he owns came from his wife’s family since she was from noble class.

Mayor Kafureeka commended her for being hospitable and generous noting that she produced, nurtured and educated their biological children plus many others fostered ones who are very vital in the country.

When contacted on phone from Germany, Hon Gerald Karuhanga and his sister Nyesiga Joan described the death of their mother as darkness at noon noting that she was a source of everything in their lives.

Karuhanga noted they expected to bring body on Thursday and thereafter, the burial arrangement would be communicated.

The deceased left 9 children and grand children.

www.mknewslink.com a greater western Uganda news website
Email: wmuhwezi75@gmail.com
Tel: +256702680106

Ruparelia Foundation boss, Rajiv Ruparelia has on Monday, February 30, offered to sponsor Ugandan child budding rapper Felista Di Superstar aka Faith Nanyanzi primary education.

The businessman – through his Ruparelia Foundation on Monday unveiled Felista to Kampala Parents School – offering the young rapper a fully study scholarship up-to primary seven.

The signing was attended by School’s lawyers, Spice Diana, Levixone among others,

The businessman said the Ruparelia Foundation to whom he is the Managing Director was ready to sponsor primary education for the eight-year-old rapper at one of his schools, Kampala Parents School.

Rajiv thanked the founders of Kampala Parents School, Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia, trustees for supporting the cause when he called them, Bravo Shoes who came on board to give a hand, the music fraternity for discovering promoting and maturing her journey.

He added that Felista was joining a model school which creates more opportunities, thus advised her to participate in all co-curricular activities.

“Education is not about learning in the book; education is about learning life skills that will help you live in the future when you are old. We shall ensure you learn how to avail your discipline, be confident and we shall make sure that all we offer to you helps you grow your music carrier. Lastly, I would advise Felista’s parents to save from what they’ve been paying to another school such that the money helps her in secondary,” Rajiv said.

The tycoon in April this year recruited another rapper Fresh Kid-real name Patrick Senyonjo whom he offered a full scholarship till primary seven at the same school.

Rajiv who then said he was moved by Fresh Kid’s ambition being only seven (7) years old and, “I would love to see him become a guide and inspiration to many young people out there hence, Ruparelia Foundation is presenting this young man with a full scholarship from the Ruparelia Foundation to go to Kampala Parents School”.

Fresh Kid went on to finish top of his class less than a year into KPS one of Uganda’s top educational facilities.

The young and talented singer was announced as an academic giant at the end of year exams – topping his P.2 stream at KPS. This is could be another reason Rajiv decided to sign another artist as he seeks to promote talents.

Felista Di Superstar is an 8-year-old Ugandan Female Rapper newest on the block.

She is being raised by a single Father who supports her talent. NAWAMBYE is her first single and a lot more on the way.

www.mknewslink.com a greater western Uganda news website
Email: wmuhwezi75@gmail.com
Tel: +256702680106

By Wilber Muhwezi Kasibante

www.mknewslink.com

In Bushenyi

The Bishop of West Ankole Rt. Rev. Johnson Twinomujuni has warned reverends, catchiest and other church leaders against sleeping with other men’s wives as well as stealing money from Christians and the church.

Bishop Johnson said this today 29^th Jan.2020 at the burial of Dinah Katwiire in Rwakanyonyi Nyakabirizi division Bushenyi district.

“There are reverends and church leaders who turn themselves very stronger at the stations they work and start sleeping with other men’s wives as well as stealing money from Christians and church,” Bishop Johnson warned.

The Bishop’s warning came at the end of his sermon which he gave to comfort the bereaved family of the late Katwiire.

He warned women against bewitching husbands thinking that they will be loyal to them (wives) but end up becoming useless in society.

The area Member of Parliament Gordon Arinda Cowboy comforted the elderly that those of 80 years and above will start receiving a monthly allowance of ugx 25,000.

MP Cow boy giving speech at the burial

He added that the age for elderly to receive money will reduce by 5 years annually from 80 to 65 years.

The district chairman Jaffari Bassajabalab hailed the family of Katwiire for looking after the old woman the late Dinah Katwiire until she left the world without regrets.

Chris Mugasha who represented the grand children hailed their grandmother for teaching them life skills which have helped them to live in the world since childhood till now.

Chris Mugasha leading grand children in a speech

Robert Katwiire Waitanga the heir to Katwiire family advised the children from other families to look after their parents if they are to get blessings from them when they pass on.

He called upon the entire Katwiire family to remain united since their parents liked hard work and unity within their family.

Robert Katwiire waitanga the heir to late Katwiire family giving his speech

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By Mesharch W. Katusiimeh

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In Sheema

As we all know, the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) is entrusted with the exercise of testing and measuring the quality and quantity of knowledge and skills by individual learners usually upon successful completion of a given level of education cycle.  In spite of the challenges, which I and others have pointed out before, UNEB has admirably done a commendable work. In fact let me congratulate UNEB for going through last year national examinations successfully with minimal examination malpractices compared to the past years. The innovations that were introduced including random numbers to ensure no detection of the school EMIS number and registration ensured there is no bias in the marking system. The high level of vigilance ensured that exam papers couldn’t leak.

With these visible and notable improvements, UNEB should not relax. There are still other areas of concern that can be fixed to ensure threats to the integrity of the examination system in Uganda are dealt with once and for all. The good thing is that UNEB is aware. In fact the UNEB Chairperson Prof Okwakol acknowledges the problem of bribing scouts and other officials like invigilators by the head teachers and school directors so the candidates can receive external assistance from their teachers. But I wonder whether UNEB is prepared to tackle the problem by identifying the root cause? I think this problem majorly stems from the lack of transparency by UNEB in the appointment of scouts, invigilators and district monitors. This lack of transparency can even be seen from the UNEB website. For example, the UNEB website does not provide much information as regards to how it functions. There is no exam supervision manual. There is hardly any information showing how district monitors, supervisors and invigilators are appointed. The website is also lacking on feedback look or a testimonial section and therefore does not benefit from feedback from many visitors that could have helped in improvements of their systems and processes.

Exam supervision is a position of trust. A supervisor must possess the qualities of integrity and vigilance to conduct the examinations in exact accordance with the rules and regulations. The rules ensure each candidate who sits an exam sits under equal conditions as other candidates. The purpose of exam supervision is to ensure that all candidates are under active surveillance for every moment of the examination. However, these have been established on paper and as already cited above; reports of bribing scouts and invigilators are common knowledge. Several supervisors have been used in malpractices in national examinations across the country and unfortunately, the majority of these walk free without anybody raising a finger at them including UNEB, the national examination managers. There are also reports that invigilators defy the stipulated procedures; appearing to the examination centers late, reading newspapers/books during examination session or abandoning the exam room for conversations with other teachers.

This has tempted candidates to get involved in examination malpractice tendencies such as copying or reading from fellow candidates’ scripts or from other unauthorized sources.

Over the past few years, UNEB has emphasized the importance of inspectors of schools as a key pillar in the fight against examination malpractice but facts on the ground indicate that it may not be working. School inspectors are not recommending field officers of integrity to supervise exams. They are instead appointing their friends, relatives and those who bribe them. They don’t inspect examination centres periodically and the stories generally about how distributors, supervisors and invigilators are recommended to UNEB are sickening. While UNEB recommends schools to have their gates open during the examination period, but many schools don’t. Teaching during the examination time is still going on. That is why there are reports of pupils answering in a funny way because the fake examinations that circulated apparently were taken seriously by some teachers who confused pupils.   At times these inspectors of schools are compromised by head teachers and school directors to post ‘favourable’ invigilators to allow exam cheating to take place in broad light. This is probably why at times supervisors are deployed to an examination centre for more than 2 consecutive times. Such occurrences culminate into the greatest threat to the validity and reliability of any examination which eventually undermines the goal of education of the country.

What should be done?

First, ensure transparency in the recruitment of district monitors, scouts and invigilators. This will ensure that well-experienced professionals (scouts) are hired to manage the UNEB examination system. Second, there should be impromptu visits to examination centres by senior members of the UNEB board to check if exams procedures are well operationalized. I would like to see the Minister of Education and Sports and her team of state ministers getting involved in these impromptu visits as well. Third, rethink the role of the inspectors of schools in the UNEB examination management system – I propose a professional committee charged with recommending people of integrity to work as supervisors be put in place and the Inspector of Schools acting as Secretary. And fourth, UNEB could conduct an integrity test for those recommended to be district monitors, scouts and invigilators. An integrity test is a specific type of personality test designed to assess an applicant’s tendency to be honest, trustworthy, and dependable.

The writer is the Dean Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Kabale University & Associate Professor – Department of Governance. He can be reached on 0772620852 and email mkatusiimeh@gmail.com

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Email: wmuhwezi75@gmail.com
Tel: +256702680106