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By Aggrey Twesigye
in Isingiro—–

Two people accused of strangling to death an 80-year-old woman are in police custody in Isingiro district.

SP Samson Kasasira the Rwizi Regional Police Spokesperson identified the suspects as Ephranse Nuwabeine a daughter to the deceased and Richard Bamwine,42(the deceased’s boy friend)

Kasasira said the two are accused of strangling Joy Kitarinyenda a resident of Kasaana I, Birere Subcounty Isingiro District to death around on Easter Monday.

He said Police preliminary findings indicate that the deceased was last seen on the 30th.March.2024 with Richard Bamwine (her boyfriend)at their home but was later discovered dead the following day in her house.

Kasasira said that the deceased was found with bruises on the body an indication that she was strangled to death. He said that the suspects who are locked up at Isingiro central police station will appear before the court for murder. The deceased’s body is lying at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital hospital pending a postmortem.

By Wilber Muhwezi Kasibante
www.mknewslink.com
In Bushenyi
The chief magistrate’s court in Bushenyi District will today hear bail application filed by Ms Lillian Ayebazibwe on charges of forgery of PLE results for 2023 of Bubaare primary school in Bitooma town council Bushenyi district.
She was remanded on Friday 1st march 2024 and Ms Lillian Ayebazibwe 56 on two accounts of forgery.
The fully packed court presided over by grade one magistrate Her Worship Halima Omar Ahamed sent Ayebazibwe to Nyamushekyera government prison until Tuesday 05/03/2024
The court heard that Ms Ayebazibwe on 26/02/2024 forged primary Leaving examination certificate of one Blessed ahereza a pupil at Bubaare primary school in Bushenyi District contrary to section 234 and 347 of the penal cord act.
Ayebazibwe who is a head teacher of Bubaare primary school was also charged of releasing forged PLE results knowing that the examinations results were withheld by UNEB over multipartite, however Ms Ayebazibwe denied all the charges.
Represented by counsel kenneth oyiine of kamugisha Deus and company advocates told court that the suspect is of advanced age, she had spent past 48 hrs in police custody and health was deteriorating praying bail which was denied.
In her submission Her worship Halima said that her court has no mandate and that file has not been allocated by the chief magistrate hence remanded until today March 05, 2024.

By Twesigye Aggrey
in Mbarara—-
Police inquest is underway into the mysterious death of a senior anesthesiologist at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital which occurred on Wednesday.

The incident occurred at Kiswahili cell where the deceased has been residing.

SP Samson Kasasira the Rwizi Regional Police Spokesperson identified the deceased as Dr.Rukia Abura who hails from Lira district.

Aburu was a postgraduate medical student at Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) specializing in Anesthesiology

According to Halson Kagure the Hospital Public Relations officer,it’s alleged that on Wednesday morning anonymous person rang the deceased’s workmates at the facility informing them that Abura was unconscious.

Kagure explained that immediately emergency medical services led by Dr.Emma Munyarugyero was dispatched to the deceased’s residence along Bananuka Road in Kiswahili cell.He however said the team could not save the life of their own as she had already kicked the bucket.

He said Abura was found lying on her back on the bed.

Addressing the media at his office,Dr.Celestine Barigye the hospital director explained that the death of Dr.Abura was not only a big blow to the facility but also the entire nation.

By press time the body of the deceased had been conveyed to Mbarara regional referral hospital mortuary pending autopsy.

By Our Reporter
in kampala—-
The High Court- Land Division has ordered DFCU Bank to leave 48 leasehold properties belonging to Meera Investments Limited on account of being the successor in title to Crane Bank Limited (now in receivership) as a tenant on the premises.

Meera Investments a prominent East African property developer is owned by Uganda’s richest man, Sudhir Ruparelia.

DFCU took over Crane Bank in 2017 in what remains the most devious transaction between DFCU and Bank of Uganda. This would be proved by Court is all the cases filed challenging the takeover.

In the fresh ruling issued on October 24, 2023, Justice Tadeo Asiimwe also ordered DFCU Bank to pay former Meera Investments Shs2.4 billion in damages with 8% interest per year for trespassing on property of the defunct bank.

“A declaration that the transfer of the leasehold interests in the suit properties from Crane Bank Limited into the names of the 1st Defendant was tainted with illegality and fraud and is therefore invalid,” he ruled.

“A declaration that there are no valid leases in respect of the suit properties. The said leases are therefore declared to be invalid and absolutely determined on account of breach and illegality,” he added.

Justice Asiimwe also ordered the Commissioner Land Registration to immediately cancel 48 suit leases, lease variations and extensions registered as encumbrances on the mailo and freehold titles belonging to Meera Investments.

“The 2nd Defendant is hereby ordered to cancel the entry of the suit leases, lease variations and lease extensions registered as encumbrances on the Mailo and freehold titles of the Plaintiff,” he ruled.

Justice Asiimwe also issued a permanent injunction restraining the dfcu Bank Limited, its agents and servants from trespassing on the properties.

“An order of a permanent injunction is hereby issued restraining the 1st Defendant, its agents and servants from continued trespass on the suit properties,” the judge added.

Since Crane Bank is defunct, court ordered that dfcu Bank pays costs of the suit to Meera Investment Limited, the mother company of Crane Bank Limited that instituted the suit on behalf of its child company, Crane Bank Limited.

The plaintiff had initiated this legal action against the defendants, namely dfcu Bank and the Commissioner of Land Registration, for their alleged illegal and fraudulent sale and possession of 48 leasehold properties. Mera Investments based its claims on its status as the registered proprietor and lessor of 48 Mailo and freehold titles, from which the lease agreements in question stemmed.

The battle centred around the possession of these properties, and the subsequent transfer of titles and lease possession in favour of dfcu Bank. In contrast, dfcu Bank refuted these allegations, maintaining that they had lawfully acquired their interest in the 48 leasehold properties through a purchase from the Bank of Uganda as a receiver of Crane Bank Limited.

Furthermore, the bank argued that no consent was required from Mera Investments before the transfer or the taking of possession of the disputed properties, as the transfer was executed under the provisions of the Financial Institutions Act.

By Ambrose Kweronda
in Kabale—–
Five students, who were scheduled to sit for their Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) Exams in four different secondary schools in Kabale Municipality, did not appear for their exams due to unclear reasons following their earlier registration.

Among the schools affected were Nyabiikon Secondary School, where two students were absent, Excel Secondary School with one absentee, Kabale Secondary School with one missing student, and Trinity College Secondary School, all situated in Kabale Municipality.

Elly Turyasiima, the headteacher of Nyabiikon Secondary School, reported that out of 190 registered students for the final UCE Exams, only 188 were present. The other two missing students, according to Turyasiima, have joined a technical institute. He also mentioned that one of the absent students was reported to be at home, engaged in domestic duties, as per communication with their parents.

At Excel High School in Kabale, the headteacher, Mr. Barigye Apollo, revealed that the school had registered 131 students for the Senior Four Exams, and only one student did not show up for the final exams. Apollo attempted to contact the parents, he was informed that the absent student had left to seek employment and might not participate in the exams.

The headteachers of Kabale Secondary School and Trinity College Secondary School also expressed their confusion about the reasons for the students’ absence. They mentioned that they had contacted the families but were unable to determine the cause.

www.mknewslink.com reporter attempted to reach the parents of the absent students by phone, but their phones were switched off.

As the UCE examinations began, a total of 364,421 candidates commenced their academic journey towards achieving their goals. The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has, once again, issued a stern warning to both schools and candidates, cautioning them against any involvement in malpractice

By Veronica Lewis—–

NGOs across Africa and around the world will meet in Nairobi, Kenya, from 21-22 November 2023 to converge on sustainable peace and socioeconomic development of the African continent.

For too long, the realisation of peace and human development in Africa has been left in the hands of politicians. Despite the enormous contribution of African and international civil society, little has been achieved to realise sustainable peace and development across the continent. On this note, the African NGO Summit will be a meeting point for NGOs from across the continent and abroad to converge on the socioeconomic needs of the African continent.

“We’ve been complacent for too long, leaving our fate in the hands of politicians,” says Peter SaSellu, President and CEO of the African NGO Council and Convener of the African NGO Summit. “It is time NGOs come together from all corners of the continent and the world to deliberate on how to realise sustainable peace and development on the continent.”

“No sustainable development could be realised if there is no sustainable peace. As of today, Africa has the highest rate of armed conflicts and the highest number of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the world,” says Philip Kpakiwa, Country Director of MasterPeace Guinea and Board Member of the African NGO Council.

As the premier meeting point for Africa’s civil society and key stakeholders, ideas will be deliberated upon to put Africa’s civil society voice across the board in a constructive and deliberate manner. With more coups and armed conflicts emerging in countries across the continent by the day, the time to talk peace and sustainable development is now. Conflict resolution and peacebuilding efforts are essential for sustainable development, as they help to reduce tensions, prevent violence, and create an enabling environment for development initiatives to succeed. Climate change is an eminent issue altogether.

“African civil society has never had the opportunity to come together in a constructive manner,” says Catherine George, the Executive Director of the African NGO Summit. “NGOs play critical roles in the fight against poverty and extreme human suffering, impunity and social injustice in local communities across the continent. Beginning as advocacy and personal support organisations often established by members of the affected community and staffed largely by volunteers, NGOs have evolved into a diverse spectrum of multi-service agencies that, to various degrees, provide case management and often direct services such as housing, nutrition and food items, civic education, legal aid, mental health and HIV/AIDS counselling, adherence support, and oftentimes direct medical services.”

“In addition, many NGOs carry out advocacy to address the needs of communities living in abject poverty and disproportionately affected by gross human rights violations; educating communities on multiple issues such as right to justice; and facilitating access to electoral processes,” she says.

While there are many variations in the specific menu of services individual NGOs provide, the core elements of programming (and sometime direct) services, humanitarian relief, human rights protection and promotion and civic education, and system advocacy and lobbying are common among most NGOs.

“Despite the tremendous role NGOs play in peace building processes and national and regional development efforts, there is no centralised venue for the “gathering” of NGOs operating across the continent. Though a wide range of organisations and initiatives have been created out of community-based and national and sub-regional efforts – and while various coalitions and alliances have formed to articulate and mobilise around shared advocacy agendas, or to share best practices in sustainability, evaluation and services, yet no Africa-wide assembly or initiative has been formed to proactively assemble the continent’s NGOs or assemble information on the evaluation or state of NGO management, capacity development, administration, and strategic growth. Thus, while many NGOs have been asking questions about their own regional assemble for decades, there has never been a quantitative or qualitative way for them to ask these questions across the field,” Says Peter SaSellu.

To fill this void, the African NGO Summit was established as an African regional forum that will bring together NGO leaders, policymakers, donors, and key stakeholders to converge on pressing national and regional issues of today.

It is expected that deliberations at the Summit in Nairobi will result in a more constructive and deliberate effort to help promote sustainable peace and development across the continent. It is therefore important for all NGOs across the continent to meet in Nairobi on November 21-22 to bring this to a reality.

More information please visit www.africanngosummit.org

Veronica Lewis veronica.lewis@africanngocouncil.org

By Innocent Atuganyira
in Bunyoro—–

The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities handed over a fully-fledged structure worth 200 million shillings to Boomu Women’s Group, located in Kigaragara village, Labongo Sub County, Masindi district.

While handing over the structure on Tuesday dubbed Boomu Women’s Handcraft Production Centre, Basil Ajer, the director of wildlife and antiquities at the Ministry of Tourism’s head of technical operations, noted that the tourism industry has boosted the country’s revenue collection.

In 2022, the tourism industry contributed 2.7 trillion shillings to the country’s economy.

According to Ajer, the handcraft industry has been timely in contributing to the diversification of tourism products in the country, and he thus commended the Boomu Women’s Group for the great job they are doing to promote tourism.

He also asked the members to make good use of the structure and produce high-quality products to compete at the national and intentional level

Emmanuel Awiyo, the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer of Masindi district, commended the government through the Ministry of Tourism for considering Masindi and for the support they have rendered to Boomu Women’s Group.

He therefore pledged support for the group members to move forward, noting that they will find a way to support the group through other government programs.

Owiyo also noted that there is a need to enhance the market for the products locally, nationally, and internationally to boost revenue and household income.

The Masindi district tourism officer, Ritah Karungi, noted that since the ministry has equipped the facility with all the equipment, they will use it to skill the youth, women, and men in the district.

Ednah Byabali, the manager of Boomu Women’s Group commended the ministry for considering them and handing over the structure pledging that they make good use of the structure and produce more products than before.

Byabali, however, highlighted the challenges they are experiencing, like a lack of water, electricity, and transport for the products to the exhibition centers.

Ambrose Kweronda
in Kabale—-
A 19-year-old teenager was sentenced to 3 years in Ndorwa Government Prison after admitting to the theft of a motorcycle owned by the Kabale District Local Government.

The case, presided over by Kabale Chief Magistrate Derrick Byamugisha, heard that Ainembabazi Nelson, also known as Bashiri Abubaker Nabasa, committed the theft on September 15, 2023, in Ruhita Cell within the southern division of Kabale Municipality.

The stolen vehicle was a white Yamaha X TZ motorcycle with the registration number UEV 327 K, valued at Shs 12 million. This act was in violation of sections 254(1) and 265 of the penal code act, as it belonged to the Kabale District Local Government.

The prosecution informed the court that he was apprehended in Mbale District on September 23, 2023, for this crime.

Ainembabazi Nelson, aka Bashiri Abubaker Nabasa, a resident of Kekuubo in Central Division, Kabale Municipality, voluntarily admitted guilt when the charges were presented to him and sought a more lenient sentence.

In his judgment, Kabale Chief Magistrate Derrick Byamugisha acknowledged the defendant’s cooperation and sentenced him to 3 years in prison without unnecessary delay.

By Wilber Muhwezi Kasibante
In Bushenyi
Nsimbi junior school located in Bumbaire sub-county in Bushenyi district emerged 3rd best in primary seven mock 2023.
According to the director of the school Mr. Nathan Musinguzi, 18 pupils sat for mock examinations and 15 passed in grade one.
He added the other three came in second grade. He noted that those in second grade, two pupils had 14 whereas the last had 15 aggregates.

He told www.mknewslink.com editor in an interview today Sept 21, 2023 that three pupils had aggregate 5 and other three had aggregate 6
He went ahead to reveal that other 9 pupils also scored grade one to make them 15 pupils with 1st grade.

Mr. Musinguzi affirmed that he is sure that his pupils will score highly in PLE 2023 which will be done in November 2023 and the be released in Jan 2024.
Nsimbi junior school Bumbaire is a private primary school located off Bushenyi town but has the zeal and courage to challenge urban and traditional primary schools in academic performance.

BY AMBROSE KWERONDA
IN KABALE—-
The Commissioner for Physical Education and Sports in the Ministry of Education and Sports, Rev. Canon Dr. Dancuns Mugumya, has expressed his disappointment with the officials of Kabale District and Municipality for their lack of participation in promoting physical education and sports.

Rev. Canon Dr. Mugumya raised this concern last evening during the official launch of the 21st Edition of the National Health Training Institution Sports Championship at Kabale Main Stadium in Kabale Municipality.

This year’s national championship sports event is being hosted by the Kabale School of Comprehensive Nursing.

During his address, Rev. Canon Dr. Mugumya noted that, since his arrival in the district, he has not witnessed the active involvement of any education officers from both the district and municipality, except for the principals and sports tutors.

He argued that this lack of participation substantiates the claims made by the State Minister of Sports, Peter Ogwang, during his recent visit to the district, where he identified education officers as hindrances to the promotion of physical education and sports.

Rev. Canon Dr. Mugumya emphasized that while the Ministry is dedicated to implementing physical education and sports programs, it is imperative for government civil servants to play a significant role in this process.

He highlighted the numerous benefits of physical education and sports, such as fostering good health, enhancing student performance, and combating non-communicable diseases.

Josephine Nambiro Kigozi, the Principal of Kabale School of Comprehensive Nursing, underlined the importance of physical education and sports in nurturing students’ talents. She urged participants to not only focus on physical education but also strive for academic excellence.

The national championship sports event has attracted 2,948 participants from 60 nursing schools, accompanied by 303 team officers representing 16 regions across the country.The games began on the 10th and are scheduled to conclude on the 16th of this month.