Innocent Atuganyira
BUNYORO
The Bagungu have embarked on consultative meetings with different stakeholders to secede from the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom. They want to establish their own cultural institution known as ‘’Butebengwa’’,
Over seven years on the road, Bagungu who are the indigenous people of Buliisa district have thrown towels on their back to secede from Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom.
Consultation meetings are being conducted in all the sub counties and town councils involving different leaders like the local area and sub counties/ town council chairpersons and the head of different clan heads in the district.
Sharif Aguma the secretary for publicity Bugungu Cultural Revival Association told our reporter that out of the 56 clan heads, 42 are supporting their secession.
Sharif asserts that they wrote to the commissioner at the Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development who gave them guidelines they are supposed to follow to put in place the cultural institution.
”We have so far written to the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom three times about our secession but we haven’t got any feedback,” said Sharif.
Why secede from Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom?
Sharif Aguma explains the Bagungu Culture has been eroded and he hopes that once they establish their own cultural institution, they will be able to revive it.
He also explains that though they will remain in the greater Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom, they will be independent since they will have their own cultural leader.
Sharif notes that they have different cultures like traditional dances, dressing code, food staple and many others which differ them from the Banyoro.
Achievements
Sharif asserts that they have made consultations with different heads of clan in Bugungu and they have agreed to support the secession.
”We have consulted different clan heads in Bugungu who have agreed to support the secession,” he asserted.
He also explains they have already composed the anthem for the cultural institution, designed the coat of arms, flag and they are planning to draft the constitution that will govern the cultural institution.
The Bugungu Cultural Revival Association secretary for publicity says that the secession will create unity through the clan heads, protect the cultural norms of Bagungu and also develop the oil rich Buliisa district.
Other leaders speaks out
Fred Lukumu the Buliisa district chairperson explains that due to the colonial error, the 1965 constitution did not recognize the Bagungu. ‘’Though the 1995 constitution recognizes the Bagungu, they are also entitled to establish their own cultural institution,’’ said Fred.
When asked about the cultural leader, Lukumu asserted that the cultural institution is supposed to have a cultural leader. ‘’Once the cultural institution is established, they will have to establish the cultural leader,’’ he noted.
Steven Birija the former Masindi district Chairperson says that Bagungu are the most powerful ‘’Nyoro’’ people. ‘’We have not just seen it. It is upon us to fight for our space or surrender it.’’
Birija asserts that they are pushed aside and neglected because the rest of Banyoro are afraid of them. ‘’But unfortunately, the recent breed of Bagungu we have chosen to be either apologists or act victims to avoid responsibility.’’
The politician says that Bagungu need to organize and protect their identity, but how they do it will either develop or destroy them.
Bunyoro Kingdom Speaks Out
Rt. Hon. Andrew Byakutaga the Prime Minister of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom says that there is no need for the Bagungu to break off rather unite for the development of Bunyoro.
‘’Since we have been working together, there is no need for Bagungu to secede from Bunyoro, we should rather work together for the development of Bunyoro rather than dividing ourselves,’’
Byakutaga also asserted that they are ready to sit on the round table and solve their challenges rather than seceding from Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom.
By Our Reporter.
KABALE
Kabale District Local Government has signed a memorandum of Understanding-MOU, with the Hunger Project Uganda (THP-U)- aimed at implementing the R2G project, which is intended to provide support
services for the improvement of livelihoods of communities within the district.
The MOU was signed by yesterday by the Senior Assistant Secretary in the office of the Chief Administrative Officer, also the clerk to council, Gordon Manzi, representing the CAO, Edmond Ntimba and LCV Vice Chairperson, Miria Akankwasa Tugume, representing the District Chairperson, Nelson Nshangabasheija on behalf of Kabale District Local Government. Dr Daisy Owomugasho- the Hunger Project Regional Director, and Gerald Kato, the Right 2Grow, Country Programme Coordinator, signed on behalf of The Hunger Project.
According to Dr Owomugasho, the Right2Grow project, is intended to improve nutrition services, with more focus on community empowerment and advocacy, by strengthening civil society to advocate for an enabling environment, where government decision makers and other key stakeholders jointly and effectively address under nutrition in amulti sectoral gender sensitive and inclusive manner.
She adds that under the project, households and communities will bemobilised to adopt good nutrition and WASH practices, through the use of various Community –Led development approaches.
The Vice Chairperson, Miria Akankwasa Tugume, hailed the Right2Grow program, which is being implemented in the sub counties of Kitumba and Kamuganguzi saying that it will help to ensure that children aged below 5years, are well nourished and are able to access WASH services like, clean water and sanitation among others.
On his part, Manzi, said that with the program, will act as an eye opener to bringing to light the issues related to Mal-nutrition.
A research conducted between 2013-2015, indicated that 2.2 million children approximately 29 percent of children aged 5years were stunted, while in Kabale district, the prevalence of stunting among
children aged 6-59 months was high at 41.1%.
END
By Innocent Atuganyira
MASINDI:
Police in Masindi district are holding a 32 year old woman on allegations of burning the husband with cooking oil.
ASP Julius Allan Hakiza the Albertine Region Police Spokesperson has identified the suspect as Eunice Kiiza 32, and the victim as Bernard Achidri both residents of Bubanda Village Bwijanga Sub County Bujenje County Masindi district.
Hakiza told our reporter Thursday morning that the suspect was arrested on Wednesday and she is detained at Masindi Central Police Station while the victim is getting treatment at Bwijanga health centre IV.
The police spokesperson said the suspect will be charged with grievous harm.
According to Hakiza, the duo had a quarrel on April 29 2022, the woman accusing the husband for falling in love with other women.
When the man went to sleep, the woman prepared cooking oil and poured it on him, and the man made an alarm that attracted residents who evacuated him to Bwijanga health centre IV for treatment.
The police officer has asked the husbands who are being quietly tortured by women to report the matter to any nearest police station or post.
By Innocent Atuganyira
KAMPALA:
As the world celebrates World Press Freedom Day under the theme ”Journalism Under Digital Siege”, journalists in Uganda want the security personnel who torture them be held accountable.
In an interview with our reporter Tuesday afternoon, Mr. Ssempala Robert the Executive Director Human Rights Network for Journalists Uganda {HRNJ-Uganda} revealed that 90% torture of the journalists is done by the security personnel.
Ssempala said that in their recent documented index, they have recorded 131 torture cases of which 82 were committed by Uganda Police Force {UPF}, 65 by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces {UPDF} while others by the Resident District Commissioners {RDCs} and the Special Forces Commanders {SFCs}.
He stresses that no action has been taken by the government against these errant men in uniform. ”Journalists should take caution while executing their duty.”
Ssempala revealed that though they go to courts of law, it procrastinates for justice to be delivered, something he says affects the media practitioners.
Following the ban of some social media platforms in Uganda including Facebook, Ssempala has challenged the government to lift the ban since its also affecting the journalistic work.
Steven Wandera the President Greater-Masindi Media Practitioners Association an umbrella that joins journalists in Masindi, Buliisa and Kiryandongo districts explains that the Journalists right of expression has been infringed on since they are tortured and denied information.
He asserts that they are working under unbearable conditions, adding that it’s threatening the next generation. On the same note, he is challenging the government to intervene.
Dorothy Nyambubi, a journalist attached to Kings FM Masindi explains that denial of information, torture, intimidation, embrassment, brutality mostly by security officers has demoralized many journalists thus quitting the profession.
She asserts that the security officers should respect the rights of media practitioners. ”If possible they should be trained on human rights violation since we are all of importance in this country.”
Joseph Baguma, a Vision Group Journalist says that as journalists commemorate the world press freedom day, they must not forget they are still tied with chains because of the poor working environment.
He asserts that the continued threats from the security officers and key decision makers in the government has its share to the gallant journalists to an extent that some who are weak hearted have abandoned the profession.
Jonan Wamara, a journalist attached to Kings FM Masindi challenges the government to hold errant security officers accountable since they also have right to information.
According to him, journalists are of great importance in the country thus they should be protected.
Zephania Ikiriza, a radio Journalist attached to Biiso FM Radio in Buliisa district stresses that the government has not played its role in protecting their rights adding that’s why Journalists are paid less compared to other sectors.
”Due to this, the security officers have not valued media because the government doesn’t so.”
He asked the government to regulate private media houses to pay journalists well so that they may compete in the markets mostly when prices of commodities are skyrocketing.
By Aggrey Twijukye
MBARARA
Muslims in Mbarara City have expressed dissatisfaction with the Government over the delayed 250 million UGX presidential Pledge towards the construction of a shillings 5 billion Office block at Uganda Muslim Supreme Council in Mbarara city.
Leading Ed-Al-fitr prayers at Abubakar Jamia Masjid in Mbarara city, the Mbarara District Khadi Sheikh Abdullah Mukwaya said in 2018, President Museveni Pledged to contribute 250 million UGX but up to now, they have not received any coin.
Mukwaya is now appealing to the Government to release the money to gear up the construction works.
Rashid Mukasa a Muslim Elder in Mbarara District while speaking to our reporter said it unfair that musicians are given vehicles purchased at 500 million UGX when the president himself promised them 250 million UGX in 2018 but four years have now elapsed and they have not received any coin from the fountain of honor.
The woman Member of Parliament Mbarara city Rhita Bwahika assured the Muslims that she will follow up on the matter with immediate effect.
Police in Rukungiri is investigating the circumstances under which a 57-year-old man went missing.
Elly Maate the Kigezi region Police spokesman has identified the victim as Mutabazi Sulaiman a businessman and resident of Omukagoro village Bwambara parish, Bwambara sub-county Rukungiri district.
Maate explains that the victim always visited the home of Mugisha Sulaiman 43 at Rwebinyonyi village, Rwenshama Parish, Bwambara Sub- County for witchcraft and had always been seen naked smoking a pipe “emindi” together with his host near the Muram road leading to the landing site.
On 19/04/2022 at around 2030hrs, the victim was seen entering the same place with his motorcycle and later was heard complaining and quarreling with Mugisha about the money he had spent but with no solution to his increasing problems.
Maate further explains that around 02:00hrs of 20/04/2022, two motorcycles were heard leaving the home and since then, the victim disappeared.
On 24/04/2022, one Kakuru Buseni reported the disappearance of his father at Rwenshama Police station and Cps Rukungiri was accordingly notified.
A team headed by the OC Station Rukungiri CPS IP Muhairwe Elias moved to the area and detained Mugisha Sulaiman the main suspect and his other family members namely; Kesande Shadia aged 25 years, Kyomugisha Emily aged 17 years, Barisigara Silvan aged 32 years and Mugisha Ramadhan aged 17 years all of Rwebinyonyi village.
The suspects were arrested as they tried to flee the village.
Matte says Interrogation is ongoing to ascertain the actual whereabouts of the victim.
Joshua Tukesiga
A 35-year-old resident of Rukungiri District is seeking help from good Samaritans for her 7-month-old baby who was born with several congenital heart defects.
Niwampeire Scovia, 35 of Kanyabihara Village Masya parish Nyakagyeme Subcounty Rukungiri District, was referred to Mulago national referral hospital after treatment for AKAMUMPA SHIMON her beautiful 7-month-old old baby failed to yield fruit.
Medical records from Holy innocents children’s hospital in Mbarara indicate that Shimon suffers from Coarctation of the aorta, a condition usually present at birth in which, the aorta is pinched in or narrowed, either in a single location or along a portion of its length. This narrowing restricts normal blood flow through the aorta.
The aorta is the largest blood vessel in the body. This artery is responsible for transporting oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body.
The aorta begins at the left ventricle of the heart, the heart’s muscular pumping chamber and extends upward into the chest to form an arch.
The condition means 7-month-old Shimon cannot get vital oxygen-rich blood in her body which has severely dented her ability to grow.
She also suffers from moderately sized perimembranous ventricular septal defects which are holes in the wall that separates the two lower chambers of the heart.
These two defects require corrective surgery to enable Shimon to progress in life and retain her smile.
Niwampeire says she does not have any money to pursue the required medical care and has appealed to good Samaritans to come to her rescue
Good Samaritans can reach her on the number 0773-794322 registered in the name of her husband Kahuka Appolo.
She says any help towards her baby’s medical requirements is appreciated.