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By Isaac Mumbere

www.mknewslink.com

In Kasese—-

The Kasese Municipality Member of Parliament Ferigo Kambale has written to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni requesting his office to consider putting in place a permanent solution to the problem of Nyamwamba River floods.

River Nyamwamba has repeatedly been bursting its banks causing devastating floods that have sometimes led to loss of lives, destruction of property and displacement of people.

On Saturday September 07, 2024, residents in Kasese town witnessed fresh floods from River Nyamwamba through the Kamulikwizi Water Channel that claimed the lives of two people and led to destruction of property.

Following the incident, Hon. Ferigo Kambale yesterday wrote to the President reminding him of the request he had earlier presented to his office in a letter dated May 31, 2024. The letter was requesting for a special budget to address the Nyamwamba River floods which had claimed the lives of 52 people since 2011.

In the letter, Kambale requested the president to consider de-silting all the 25 kilometers of Nyamwamba River from the mountains to where it joins the Queen Elizabeth National Park, building a strong wall on the river banks, procuring an excavator and related equipment for periodic de-silting.

Hon. Kambale also asked the President’s Office to establish a special financial consideration fund for the 52 families that have so far lost their dear ones and those that have lost their property.

He, however, revealed to the press that he was happy with President Museveni because during the Monday Cabinet meeting, he allegedly directed the Prime Minister to make a comprehensive report about the River Nyamwamba floods so that a permanent solution is put in place.

According to him, the Prime Minister was given a period of one month within which she should have sent a team of experts to Kasese Municipality to study the nature of the river and thereafter compile a comprehensive report to the President for action.

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 Member of Parliament for Igara East and head of mobilization for Patriotic League of Uganda Michael Mawanda Maranga has revealed that president Museveni must retire in 2026 because even the best dancer leaves the stage at some point.

Museveni has been in power since 1986 and he has been preparing the son Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba but he is delaying to give him the power.

Sources from state house around president Museveni told www.mknewslink.com managing director that president Museveni wants to run again for the last term but Muhoozi and his supporters want the seat in 2026.

He said this yesterday night 10^th Sept.2024 in a radio program on Hunter FM and Theo FM while on phone from Kampala.

Mawanda who has been in prison for one month on charges of corruption was on 30^th August 2024 bailed but since then he has not appeared in his constituency and last night was his first time to speak on air.

Mawanda who is head of mobilization for patriotic League of Uganda a pressure group headed by the first son Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba was released after Kainerugaba abused his father on X formerly Twiiter saying that the father moves with the ‘biggest thief” Odrek Rwabwogo while his man Mawanda rots in prison.

The MP noted that he is strategically positioned in Muhoozi’s government and is in the kitchen and will be serving the people of Igara East and western Uganda with great services because he will be key decision maker.

In the studios were two PLU supporters; Rwakataka and Johnson Nagasha who noted that Mawanda is a great leader as well as a strong supporter of Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba therefore people of Igara East should vote him in 2026 to work with Gen.Muhoozi.

Johnson Nagasha told listeners that there could be some things which are not going well because the MP has been in prison for some time but they will be sorted out soon.

Mawanda said that he would have come to the constituency but he is in Northern Uganda with David Kabanda doing an assignment from Gen. Muhoozi and he assured listeners that he will be back soon, dine with them, and celebrate release from prison.

He however said that he can’t talk about the case since the law doesn’t allow him to talk about a case which is still in court.

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

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 Wilber Muhwezi Kasibante

www.mknewslink.com

In Bushenyi—

St. Kagwa boarding primary school one of the best primary schools in western Uganda in particular has started construction of a three storeyed building that will house administration block, computer lab and classrooms.

According to the headmaster of the school Mr. Celestine Twinomugisha, they will begin with the ground floor and later add two storeys.

He added that the building will cost many millions but the school has capacity to pay because it has enough enrolment.

St. Kagwa boarding primary school is both UPE and private and has over 1200 pupils and has recently made a lot of constructions using the parents’ money.

Twinomugisha noted that they recently completed construction of a three floor building which caters for many pupils classrooms at the school.

The headmaster added that they will ensure that academic standards remain stable because they have been excelling at PLE as one of the best performing schools in the country with first and second grades only.

He revealed that when they pupils join big secondary schools for O’level, they are not discontinued because they give holistic education to their pupils which makes them competitive in the country and all over the world.

By Ambrose Kweronda

www.mknewslink.com

In Kabale—-

Residents of Maziba Sub-County in Kabale District gathered at Kavu Church of Uganda in Ndorwa East to express their frustration over the lack of electricity in their area, despite having local infrastructure capable of generating power.

Led by Mutungi Onesmus, the LC3 Chairperson of Maziba Sub-County, the residents voiced their disappointment and confusion, “We have three dams in Maziba, yet we still don’t have electricity, it’s difficult to understand why we’re not benefiting from the power we’re generating.”

Mutungi emphasized that this protest reflects the growing concern among the residents, who have been waiting for years for reliable electricity. Despite the existence of the three dams, the community has not seen any tangible benefits from these power generation facilities.

The residents called upon Kabale District officials to take immediate action to address the issue of electricity distribution in Maziba Sub-County.

They hope that by uniting as a community, they can push for a resolution to this long-standing problem, bringing electricity to their homes and improving their quality of life, while also boosting local economic development.

 Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa, Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, could not be reached for comment.

Recently when the Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa when he was in Kabale district said that the people living in Kigezi sub region shall enjoy the benefits of additional power after the French government progressed to revamp the 60-Year-old Kabale based Maziba mini hydro power station in a bid to solve the persistent power blackouts.

Tayebwa said that the revamping process of the vital Dam which will commence in June shall zero down power outages in the region.

The Ndorwa East Legislator, Hon Wilfred Niwagaba expressed elation saying that the dam after completion will have Capacity to generate 3-6 megawatts, a move that will expedite power flow.

Niwagaba added that Kabale district takes lead among the districts hindered by load shedding.

In 1975, Maziba mini hydro station was shut down due to floods. In 1992, it was re-commissioned after being revamped. Due to operational challenges, the station stopped operations in 2002.

Dr. James Rutanga, a senior lawyer and aspiring Member of Parliament for Ndorwa East, also raised concerns about the lack of a Seed School in the region, “other counties in greater Kabale have Seed Schools, but why not Ndorwa East?”

By Aggrey Twesigye

www.mknewslink.com

In Rwampara—

Police in Rwampara District are investigating the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of a 36-year-old woman in an unusual accident.

The victim has been identified by the police as Allen Tushemereirwe, a resident of Rurama cell, Kabarama parish, Bugamba sub-county in Rwampara. The incident occurred on Wednesday around 10 a.m.

According to Rwizi Regional spokesperson SP samson Kasasira, Tushemereirwe and her husband, Orikimanya Nelson, were distilling waragi in a swamp when the drum they were using malfunctioned, causing alcohol to leak out.

Sensing the danger, the couple attempted to flee the scene. However, the drum suddenly exploded and flew through the air.

He said the drum struck Tushemereirwe in the back as she was running, nearly severing her neck.

Kasasira stated that the police, under the leadership of the Officer-in-Charge from Ngugo and a homicide team from the Central Police Station in Rwampara, quickly responded to the scene.

He mentioned that a detailed investigation was carried out, which involved taking witness statements, photographing the site, and drafting a sketch plan.

He said that postmortem was done and the body was handed over to relatives for a decent burial.

By Wilber Muhwezi Kasibante

In Bushenyi——

Contracts at Bushenyi Ishaka municipality are being awarded to friends at a commission of 50% by the procurement officer Roberto Nuwagira .

Bushenyi ishaka municipality receives one billion every financial year to work on roads and Roberto Nuwagira ensures that the biggest contracts are taken by the former Engineer and friend Eng. Deus Nuwagaba Beingana each one taking 50% of the total contract.

www.mknewslink.com interviewed the town clerk who is the accounting officer  Mr. Seleverio Mukobi Byarufu and he said that if he is giving contracts in such a manner, he is doing it outside the municipal arrangement adding that incase he is caught he will be penalized.

“MD Mknewslink.com, I want to assure you that Iam the one who gives contracts therefore if those problems are there, they are doing it as friends not formally,” Mukobi noted.

When asked why he is bringing back Eng. Deus Nuwagaba to win contracts after he was fired from the same institution over corruption, he explained that he is a Ugandan and has a registered company with URSB therefore there is no reason why he can be denied a contract.

Civilian generals of Make Bushenyi Greater Again sometime back arrested him and took him to police on charges of corruption but the case did not proceed.

Deus Nuwagaba was shortly fired and replaced with Eng. Mugumya who is doing a good job despite interferences by the procurement officer Roberto Nuwagira.

www.mknewslink.com tried to reach out to the mayor Richard Byaruhanga but his numbers could not go through.

Eng. Adam Banyenzaki told www.mknewslink.com  MD in an online  interview this I he has heard about the corruption in the procurement but asked this senior editor and journalist to contact his boss Eng. Mugumya who was not picking our calls many times.

By Joyce Apio

www.mknewslink.com

In Gulu City:

Tree planters from two cities and 15 districts in Northern Uganda have voiced their strong support for the National Forestry Authority (NFA), calling for its empowerment as an independent agency or even as a full Ministry of Forestry. These advocates, deeply engaged in forestry conservation, credit NFA with significant environmental and community benefits.

“NFA has been very useful, creating a symbiotic relationship where the forest helps us, and we benefit in return,” said Dina Ajok, a member of a Collaborative Forest Management (CFM) group. “Opit Forest is useful to us and the future of our children. Thanks to NFA, the forest has been revived, and the community helps protect it.”

Ajok highlighted how the forest, once limited to the edges near the road with few indigenous trees, had been nearly destroyed by people from the IDP camp who cut down the trees.

“It was NFA that resurrected the forest with the help of the community. Rain wasn’t reliable here, but NFA kept educating the people, and when the trees grew, we started receiving rain. NFA has done a great job in our lives; we grow crops and live a better life,” she added.

Oola Dennis echoed these sentiments, noting the positive impact of NFA’s efforts on local agriculture and quality of life. “NFA and the community are doing a great job to improve our environment, and we need more land for tree planting,” added Akullu Sofia.

Odida Michael, reflecting on the changes, remarked, “There is a big change compared to where people were in a camp. Where we are sitting was once a camp.”

Langoya Council Dickson, a conservationist turned plantation owner, has seen success through a public-private partnership with NFA. Since 2006, he has managed 130 hectares in Opok Central Forest Reserve (CFR).

“Land was made available in a forest reserve designated for tree planting, with grants from the EU – SPGS, training, and technical backstopping. Most people viewed it negatively, but those of us who followed the rules are now benefiting from this initiative,” Langoya said.

He emphasized the importance of learning from NFA and restoring the physical integrity of forests, noting that he has become a case study in the Acholi region with a certified tree nursery.

Richard Komakech from Opit Upper Cell also expressed concern about the possible transfer of NFA responsibilities to other ministries, calling it a big mistake.

He urged the Natural Resources Committee to ensure the allocation of resources to NFA and the provision of amenities in CFRs.

Dr. Balle Turyahumura of New Woodland Forests Company supported these sentiments, stressing the need to protect NFA’s role, including the National Tree Seed Centre in Namanve.

“We need to save our National Tree Seed Centre in Namanve with government support,” added Onen Pope, a retired forest officer from Gulu City.

The RDC Bushenyi Robert Atuhairwe, Dr. Bahati, UNEP and BIRDC team flagging the banana farmer’s insurance at Nyaruzinga

By Wilber Muhwezi Kasibante

www.mknewslink.com

In Bushenyi—

An insurance solution project aimed at tackling specific challenges of climate change adaptation is being implemented in greater Bushenyi banana farmers in Shuuku and Bumbaire banana cooperatives.

The director of  corporate affairs at BIRDC Dr. Joseph Bahati who represented the Director General Rev. Prof. Florence Muranga told www.mknewslink.com that the climate change insurance solution aims at taking charge of excessive rainfall and droughts among banana farmers in greater Bushenyi.

The project is being funded by Adaptation Fund Climate Innovation Accelerator(AFICA) Programme operated UNDP.

The project was initially designed under the NDC Action Project, funded by the German Government and implemented by the UNEP Climate Change Division.

Dr. Bahati representing the DG- BIRDC presenting his welcome remarks.

According to Dr. Bahati, the banana insurance project is aimed at enrolling 930 smallholders banana farmers in Bumbaire Bushenyi district and Shuuku in Sheema district.

He added that the insurance banana project targets 50% of female banana farmers with smartphones for training and monitoring climate change smart activities.

He noted that the data collected will be used to provide justification for further scaling up in the first insurance across BIRDC’s 5000 existing banana farmers grouped in cooperative structures based on project performance.

UNEP project team lead Sumalee Khosla (senior adaptation finance expert) with Claude Sodokin (programme officer) and Lasse Hemmingsen (communications representative), AIC team lead Munyaratzi Daka, and Acre Africa team lead, Farid Wangara.C

He explained that 50,000 farmers across the country will in future benefit from climate change banana insurance.

Dr.Bahati told www.mknewslink.com that project is worth 125,000 USD beginning Sept.2023 to Dec. 2024.

Present at the event was UNEP project team lead Sumalee Khosla (senior adaptation finance expert) with Claude Sodokin (programme officer) and Lasse Hemmingsen (communications representative), AIC team lead Munyaratzi Daka, and Acre Africa team lead, Farid Wangara.

By Ambrose Kweronda
www.mknewslink.com
In Kabale—

St. Ignatius University, a Catholic-centered teaching institution, is set to be inaugurated this Saturday, August 24, 2024.
The University aims to inspire, empower, and transform African society by providing universal education with a strong emphasis on practical skills and projects.
The announcement was made by Msgr. John Vianney Sunday, a member of the University Council and the Vicar General of Kabale Diocese, during a press conference held yesterday at the university premises in Rushoroza Cell, Southern Division, Kabale Municipality.
Msgr. Sunday emphasized that it is the Catholic Church’s mission to establish educational institutions at all levels to fulfill its mandate to educate the people of God, as outlined in the Gospel of Matthew 28:19-20. He highlighted that St. Ignatius University operates on three core principles: placing God first in all endeavors, fostering moral integrity, and promoting intellectual development to address societal challenges.
Msgr. Sunday further explained that the University is committed to addressing the pressing issues facing society, such as extreme poverty. The institution plans to achieve this by offering courses that emphasize practical, hands-on projects. These courses will equip students with the skills to transform their lives and serve as examples in their communities, demonstrating how to utilize limited resources to generate wealth and drive financial transformation. The University aims to teach students how to manage, mobilize, and use resources effectively to empower their communities.
Rev. Fr. Associate Professor Maximilliano Ngabirano, the Vice Chancellor of St. Ignatius University, stated that the primary goal of the institution is to provide accessible, high-quality education. He noted that not everyone who attends a university attains true education and that Kabale Diocese is focused on reducing the high costs of education. This is particularly important in the Kigezi region, which is overpopulated, has depleted soils, and faces high levels of poverty.
Professor Ngabirano also emphasized that financial literacy and transformation are key objectives for the University. He explained that following its inauguration, the University will work to address the challenge of youth seeking employment abroad by focusing on developing self-employers rather than job seekers.
Currently, St. Ignatius University has an enrollment of 170 students. The University received its operational license as a private institution on August 31, 2023, and commenced its first semester on January 8, 2024.
The University offers several accredited programs, including a Bachelor’s in Business Administration, a Bachelor’s in Tourism Heritage and Leisure Management, a Diploma in Agriculture, a Diploma in Tourism and Leisure Management, a Certificate in Medical Records and Health Informatics, a Diploma in Science Laboratory Technology, a Certificate in Science Laboratory Technology, and UBTEB Vocational courses in Business, Agriculture, and Tourism.
University administrators, led by Vice Chancellor Associate Professor Ngabirano, assured journalists that St. Ignatius University welcomes students of all religious backgrounds. They emphasized that ethics form the foundation of the University’s teachings across all courses, which is vital in combating corruption in Uganda, especially in an era of advancing technology.
The official inauguration ceremony will be presided over by Her Excellency, the Vice President of the Republic of Uganda, Retired Maj. Gen. Jessica Alupo. The ceremony will begin with a Mass led by Bishop Callist Rubaramira, who will also be installed as the first Chancellor of the University. Rev. Fr. Associate Professor Maximilliano Ngabirano will be installed as the first Vice Chancellor.