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By Aggrey Twesigye

www.mknewslink.com

In Mbarara—-

Authorities in Mbarara City have launched a thorough investigation into the disappearance of Judith Kyarisiima, a 52-year-old senior midwife at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital.

Kyarisiima, who has been with the hospital since 1997, was last seen at her home in Katete on the morning of September 2, 2024.

Her husband reported her missing at Katete Police Station the following day.

SP Samson Kasasira, the Rwizi Region police spokesperson, confirmed that the police are actively pursuing leads to locate Kyarisiima, who was reportedly unwell and had been on a short leave from her duties at the hospital.

Kasasira expressed confidence that the police would soon track her down, hinting at indications that she might be located soon.

According to Halson Kagure, the Public Relations Officer for Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, Kyarisiima, who is the in charge of maternal and child health at the facility, was last seen on August 28, 2024.

Before her disappearance, she was scheduled to begin an internship in the pediatrics department.

By Wilber Muhwezi Kasibante

www.mknewslink.com

In Bushenyi—-

The managing director mknewslink.com Wilber Muhwezi Kasibante together with his wife yesterday launched a thanksgiving ceremony aimed at thanking God for making him survive an accident together with his wife Racheal.

The thanks giving which will be held at Ruharo church of Uganda Kabagarame on 13^th Oct. 2024 will attract Emeritus archbishop of Uganda His Grace Stanley Ntagali, Bishop Johnson Twinomujuni of West Ankole diocese, Associate prof. Sheldon Mwesigwa of Ankole diocese among other dignitaries from the clergy.

Politicians who have been invited include; minister of local government Raphael Magyezi, Mary Karooro Okurut, Dr. Elioda Tumwesigye, Derrick Kabuura, Michael Mawanda, Dan Karukiiko and Ambassadors; Franklin Katungwe, Richard Nduhuura, Enock Nkuruho.

Civil servants expected to attend include; Eng. Dr. Silver Mugisha of NWSC, Ben Kumumanya PS ministry of local government, Benon Kajuna director transport and road safety ministry of works, Ronald Mwijukye, Isaiah Kifaru and Gerald Njuneki of URA, Eng. Pathius Tugume.

Mknewslink.com MD launched WhatsApp group last evening aimed at bringing friends together to be able to collect 13 million shillings to complete Ruharo church of Uganda.

MD Wilber Muhwezi Kasibante has been at the forefront of construction of Ruharo church of Uganda and this time around he wants it completed since God saved his life.

Businessmen who are expected to attend include; Tycoon Hassan Bassajabalaba, Apollo Baimukye of BAM petrol Station, Ben Kyampene, Edgar Manyire among others.

MD Mknewslink.com together with his wife survived a nasty accident on 13^th August 2024 at Kajurigo swamp near Bushenyi police station.

According to www.mknewslink.com managing director, he will not take anything home, all the contributions will go to the completion of church.

By Wilber Muhwezi Kasibante

www.mknewslink.com

In Kampala—

Igara east MP Michael Mawanda Maranga together with the co accused have been given bail by the anti-corruption sitting in Kampala.

According to one of the sureties Jaffari Bassajabalaba, Mawanda has been granted a cash bail of 35 million shillings and 50 million non-cash for each of the 5 sureties.

The 5 sureties Jaffari Bassajabalaba district chairman Bushenyi, Businessman Hassan Bassajabalaba, Fred Mbika Kibara, Derrick Kabura the Bushenyi Ishaka municipality MP among others.

Mawanda is accused of stealing 2.4 billion shillings meant for compensation of cooperative society in Eastern Uganda.

This is not the first time Mawanda is in controversy, he was arrested in India in 2012 together with Magola and Isaac Musumba and his case was decided by high court in India then rescued after three months.

He has been a Member of Parliament for Igara East since 2011 having defeated Amb. Richard Nduhura in a highly contested election.

After his detention, this time around many contestants who want to unseat him including Dan Mugura Karukiiko, Crayford Kirenzi, Bwirizayo among others worked hard.

Mawanda had abandoned the constituents, no one would call him and get him and www.mknewslink.com hopes after this disciplinary measure he will respect people who vote him.

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 Aggrey Twesigye

www.mknewslink.com

In Mbarara—-

Bishop Stuart University community is mourning the sudden death of Florah Kyayemagye, a lecturer in the faculty of education, arts and media studies at the university.

The university shared the heartbreaking news on their official Facebook page today, expressing profound grief over the loss.

Rose Rwankole, the university’s Public Relations Officer, informed this reporter that the deceased, who was pregnant with her second child, collapsed around 3 PM on Friday. She was immediately taken to Neocare Clinic in Booma, where doctors determined that the baby had passed away. She was later referred to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital on Saturday morning for further care after experiencing breathing difficulties.

She stated that the deceased was pronounced dead on Monday morning, reportedly due to severe preeclampsia. However, Rwankole noted that they were still awaiting the postmortem report from Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital at the time of reporting.

The university has now released a tentative burial program, which includes a vigil at her home in Nsikye, Kyeera, Nyamitanga today.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday at All Saints Church, followed by another service at Kanyaryeru Church of Uganda. There will also be a vigil at her ancestral home in Akaku, Kanyaryeru. She will be laid to rest on August 28th, 2024, in Akaku, Kanyaryeru Sub County, Kiruhura District.

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 Moses Andama

www.mknewslink.com

In Masindi—

Police in Masindi district have arrested two suspects in possession of marijuana and house breaking equipment.

According to the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Masindi Emmy Ngabirano, the suspects are who are a couple were arrested during an intelligence led- operation conducted in Kijura, suburb of Masindi town.

He identified female suspect as Friday Joan while the husband couldn’t be identified by press time.

Ngabirano added that during the operation they recovered house breaking equipment, marijuana and others thus the suspects were handed over to police and detained at Masindi central police station as investigations into the matter go on.

The RDC revealed that the female suspect has been arrested several other times but was always released on police bond.

He however warned LCI chairpersons against issuing stamps to non-residents saying it is one of the causes for increased criminals in the district.

He as well asked landlords to always get details of their tenants and also bar owners to close before 11pm for their safety and their clients too.

Last week security arrested over 300 suspected criminals in Masindi, screened and detained some on charges of common nuisance and possession of opium.

Out of 300 suspects, 185 were women and 115 men. 41 of the female suspects were charged with being in possession of opium. During the operation, 30 motorcycles were also impounded.

By www.mknewslink.com
In Kampala—
Entebbe International Airport has registered a strong performance in the first half of 2024, having 226,795 more passengers than was recorded in the same period of January to June 2023.
According to Uganda Civil Aviation Authority Director General, Mr. Fred K. Bamwesigye, the airport recorded half year figures of 1,069,224 international passengers, 527,692 arriving and 541,532 departing passengers from January to June 2024 compared to a total of 842,429 in the same period of January to June 2023.
Addressing journalists at the airport yesterday, the director general noted that July 2024 recorded a total of 182,494 international passengers, 92,379 arriving and 90,115 departing passengers, an average of 5,886 passengers per day.
“Cargo traffic also saw a significant boost, with a total of 32,794 metric tons recorded in January to June 2024 of which exports were 22,380 metric tons and 10,414 metric tons of imports compared to a total of 25,951 metric tons in January to June 2023. Export cargo grew by 18.9%, while import cargo saw a remarkable 46.2% increase. Despite the growth trends, exports have generally remained higher than imports in the last four years,” Mr.Bamwesigye added.
He said there was however a slight decrease in cargo recorded in July 2024, with 4,123 metric tons of exports and 1,618 metric tons of imports, a total of 5,741 metric tons compared to 5,745 metric tons in the previous year.
“It is good to see such strong growth in both passenger and cargo traffic. The numbers demonstrate the airport’s importance in fostering international travel, tourism and trade. We look forward to continuing to serve our passengers and customers with provision of world-class facilities and services,” He assured the public.
He added that movements were 15,223 in January to June 2024 compared to 14,575 in January to June 2023, reflecting a 4.4% growth, while overflights were 12,359 in January to June 2024 compared to 11,203 in the same period of 2023, reflecting a 10.3% growth.
On the other hand, transit passengers were 53,559 in January to June 2024 compared to 57,469 in January to June 2023, reflecting a decline of -6.8%.
In terms of infrastructure, Mr.Bamwesigye said the project for upgrade and expansion of Entebbe International Airport is progressing well, and is standing at 92% level of completion, overall.
“You may recall that as part of the same project, both runways were already resurfaced, a new 100,000 tones capacity cargo center completed in 2021, and Aircraft Aprons, 2, 4, and 5 (cargo Apron completed). Pending works are on the main Apron 1, which has been expanded (currently at 96%) and the new terminal building connecting to the current terminal, whose works are on-going and at 65% level of completion,” He added.
As part of further enhancement of service provision, the director revealed that new Business Class facility is currently being erected within the terminal building and this will be completed by early next year.
“We have also stepped-up stakeholder engagements with all the various service providers of services and facilities at Entebbe International Airport, including airlines, ground handlers, Immigration, Customs, Security and all concessionaires to ensure timely resolution of passenger complaints in order to ensure a better passenger experience,” He explained.

By Aggrey Twesigye
www.mknewslink.com
In Sheema—-

The police in the Greater Bushenyi region are investigating the circumstances surrounding an incident where a vehicle carrying Rosemary Nyakikongoro, the Woman Member of Parliament for Sheema District, overturned multiple times at Bugongi village on the Kabwohe-Kitagata road on Sunday.

SP Martial Tumusiime, the Greater Bushenyi police spokesperson, reported that the vehicle, a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado with registration number UAP 656W, carrying Rosemary Nyakikongoro, 59, along with her driver Fred Neli, 32, and her personal secretary Jane Natwijuka, 47, failed to negotiate a corner at Bugongi village.

The vehicle, which was traveling from the Kabwohe side toward Kitagata, lost control and struck a pavement.

Tumusiime stated that the Sheema District DPC visited the accident scene, a sketch map was drawn, and the vehicle was towed to Sheema Central Police Station for inspection.

He mentioned that the victims were initially taken to Kampala International Teaching Hospital by good Samaritans. However, by the time of reporting, it was learned that the legislator had been transferred to Nsambya Hospital in Kampala, while the other two victims had been discharged.

By Wilber Muhwezi Kasibante
www.mknewslink.com
In Sheema/Bushenyi—-
Research done by Wilber Muhwezi Kasibante www.mknewslink.com managing director on how quick Sheema district will get a diocese curved out of West ankole diocese. Below are the findings that the company did.
Lack of unifying factor; late Yowasi Makaru. Sheema started a quest for a diocese in 1994 but lost focus as time went on until Bishop Katonene’s era when it gained momentum after Sheema Christians started fighting for their university but under it the issue of the diocese was much evident.

Currently, Sheema has very well connected children with fatty jobs who can fund the quest for the diocese but don’t have someone to bring them together.
HOW MUCH DOES SHEEMA CONTRIBUTE TO WEST ANKOLE DIOCESE
Sheema district is the highest contributor to west ankole diocese in form of cash but research done by www.mknewslink.com with its 7 huge archdeaconries and over 30 parishes contribute 41% of the total revenue at west ankole diocese. Anglican institutions are the highest contributor of the cash at the diocese.
For that matter therefore Bishop Johnson Twinomujuni can never allow Sheema to become an independent diocese because of his appetite for money.
Sheema will continue to cry like a child until they appoint a replacement for Makaru to reunite them and fight for a diocese.