The Ibanda District Council has approved a budget of Shs38.975b for the financial year 2024/2025 where infrastructural development, education and health sectors took a lion’s share of this budget.

The budget passed by the district council on Friday afternoon, has increased by over Shs10bn from Shs26.73bn for the fiscal year that ends on June, 30 to Shs38.975bn for the 2024/2025 financial year.

John Kapimpi Tushemerirwe, the Ibanda District Secretary for Finance said that the budget also seeks to fund road works, youth skilling programmes, agricultural interventions, entrepreneurship and access to safe water.

”Over 95% of the budget will be funded by the central government aiming largely at catering for salaries of public workers while 3% will come from local revenues as donors will contribute 1.5%” . Kapimpi told council.

The district workers wage bill has increased to Shs20.966b for fiscal year 2024/2025 from Shs17.68b the ending fiscal year.

Shs 2.471b will go to pensioners, while Shs794.3m will cater for gratuity. The water sector has seen its budget rise to 743.9m from Shs.674.55m aiming at easing access to clean water for the people. Shs 467.8m will cater for the rollout of microscale irrigation scheme as part of the efforts by the government to increase total irrigated area countrywide.

As the district plans to strengthen an improvement in education and health sectors, funding for these sectors has been cut; education receiving Shs7.581b, down from Shs13.189b while Health is at sh2.257b compared to Shs5.167b this ending financial year. The Works Department pocketed Shs1.031b, down from Shs1.171b, and yet the Natural Resources and Environment Department sees its budget reduce to sh40.5m, a very huge cut from sh283.8m this year.

Speaking after the council sitting, Godfrey Kamagara the LCV councillor for Kashangura Sub county called upon the government to allocate more money to the construction of classrooms, saying that the state of schools infrastructure is alarming across the district.

Members of the family of the late David Tumushabe of Busiriba village, Busiriba Parish,Busiriba Sub County, Kamwenge District have petitioned President Museveni to intervene in the matter of unresolved death of their relative.

The family is petitioning president Museveni over this issue for the second time and seek his intervention in resolving the mysterious death of their father. They also request the fountain of Honour to constitute an inquiry into the incident.

The deceased, David Tumushabe, a former senior accounting officer with East African Railways Corporation, Uganda Railways Corporation, and a political leader, died mysteriously in December, 2011 and his body was dumped in a swamp in Kabigyemere Village, Busiriba Sub-county after he had been reported missing for a day.

Thirteen years down the road, the family says that Tumushabe’s death remains a mystery since a post mortem report was never seen by family members. The late is said to have left his home on December, 19th 2011, only to discover his body in a swamp the following day after he failed to return home

In a petition dated February 29, addressed to President Museveni, and copied to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Justice and Constitution Affairs, the Office of the Prime Minister and the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Levi Twinamasiko, a son to the deceased,
states on behalf of the family that they have not received justice or any report
from security organs regarding the progress investigations into their father’s death since 2011.

Initially, the family petitioned President Museveni on September, 15th 2021, as well as other security organs but they say they have not received any formal communication from them to date. Twinamasiko revealed that after submitting the first petition, the family hosted a team of
officers from the Crime Intelligence Department.

Amongst the officers were the head of Medical Department of Uganda Police, Dr Moses Byaruhanga, and other security officers who visited the crime scene. However, the family has reportedly not received any report from this investigative team.

Twinamasiko says that when the body was discovered, police directed the family to proceed with burial, promising commencement of investigations to determine
the cause of death.

In their petition, the family requests the head state to visit the scene of crime and give his guidance on the investigations into their father’s death. 

Ms. Dennavence Tumushabe Tushabomwe, a widow to the deceased, says that it has been hard to cope with life since the demise of her husband. She further says that before he died, Tumushabe was processing his gratuity and severance pay from Uganda Railways Corporation but the family has never been furnished with the progress of the same.

Police in Mbarara fired teargas yesterday to disperse a group of boda boda cyclists .These were protesting against a move by Mbarara City Council that asks the cyclists to hold their structural leadership elections through electoral colleges.

The protest follows a resolution by a council sitting last week to release and launch an electoral roadmap meant to guide the boda boda riders through the exercise of choosing their leaders. In the same week, a launch of the roadmap was done.

According to the Mbarara Central Police Station Officer in charge of operations, ASP Swizin Tibesigwa, their intervention was aimed at stopping the riders from defying police instructions on holding a procession. He further encouraged them to use the court system if a solution is not arrived at with City council authorities.

Sadious Ounkunda, one of the leaders of the riders challenged this plan saying that college elections are not in line with their constitution.

The Mbarara City Resident Commissioner, James Mwesigye, warned them against further protests which will result into strong action in case they do not heed his advice.

The Bushenyi district health officer, Dr. Edward Mwesigye has confirmed the outbreak of conjunctivitis, commonly known as red eye disease in the district.

Conjunctivitis happens when the membrane covering the insides of your eyelids and the white part of your eye, called the conjunctiva, becomes inflamed.

Inflammation of the conjunctiva causes the whites of your eyes to appear pink or red in colour.

The most common pink eye symptoms include redness in one or both eyes, itchiness in one or both eyes, a gritty feeling, and discharge in one or both eyes that forms a crust during the night that may prevent your eye or eyes from opening in the morning.

Affected persons may also experience tearing, sensitivity to light.

Speaking to reporters yesterday, Dr Mwesigye revealed that several cases have been registered, asking the public to be vigilant and improve on sanitation and hygiene.

Dr Mwesigye appealed to public to embark on hand washing , avoid congested places in order to mitigate the spread of the deadly disease.

The Bushenyi Resident District Commissioner(RDC), Robert Atuhairwe asked people to restore back handwashing equipment especially in schools and at home as they used to do during the COVID-19 period.

The Minister for Luwero affairs, Hon Alice Kaboyo has heaped praise on the outgoing Bishop of North Ankole Diocese, Rt Rev Steven Namanya as a hard working servant of God who used actions better than words.

Representing the prime minister of Uganda Rt Hon Robinah Nabbajja at a thanksgiving for the Bishop, the minister hailed the Bishop for for supporting development in North Ankole.

The function was held at the Prelate’s home in Bihendwa- Akengyeya parish Kyampagara sub county, Kazo district.

The celebrant, Rt Rev Stephen Namanya expressed joy for his successful 44 years of pastoral work, adding that it was God who guided him. On 26th May 2024, the newly elected Bishop of North Ankole, Rt Rev Alfred Muhoozi will be consecrated as the third Bishop, replacing Rt Rev Steven Namanya.

Rt Rev Bishop Steven Namanya is married to Lydia Twikiriize Namanya with seven children. He succeeded the Rt. Rev. John Muhanguzi who served as the 1st Bishop of North Ankole Diocese from 2003 – 2015.

He has served eight years as a shepherd of North Ankole Diocese, retiring after clocking the mandatory 65 years.

Rt Rev Bishop Johnson Twinomujuni, the Bishop of West Ankole Diocese preaching at the function at urged christians to receive Jesus Christ as their savior.

The function was graced by many dignitaries amongst them were church ministers and government officials including the Kazo district local government leadership led by chairperson LCV Rev Samuel Mugisha Katugunda.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has commended the North Annkole outgoing Bishop, Rt Rev Stephen Namanya, for the development he initiated in the diocese, contributing to the development in the area.

The President’s message was delivered by the Primie Minister of Uganda, Rt Hon Robinah Nabanja at the laying stone for the ongoing construction of North Ankole Mission hospital and commissioning UNRA roads at the seat of the Diocese, in Rushere town council, Kiruhura district yesterday.

The Diocese over the years initiated a number of developments which among them include; the Kakyera Stock Farm which has over 320 cows, the Clergy Pension House, Kanoni Bible College, refurbishment of Rushere Model Primary School, a valley dam, and the prospective North Ankole Mission Hospital set to house a theatre, male and female Wards, special clinics, a pediatric Ward and a pharmacy among others.

Nabanja further noted that the president directed the ministry of Finance to avail support to the developments such as the Mission hospital that the Diocese is undertaking.

In the same regard, the roads around St.John’s Church of Uganda Kazo in Kazo town council, are also set to be tarmaced.

Bishop Stephen Namanya applauded the government and president Museveni for supporting development through supporting church projects.

Hon Wilson Kajwengye, the member of Parliament for Nyabushozi, used the occasion to ask the Prime Minister to fast track the delivery of the much needed Foot and Mouth disease(FMD) vaccines,to enable the promised mass vaccination to save the livestock economy .

 He further requested the Prime Minister to fastrack the release of the needed finances to enable the commercialization of the locally developed anti-tick vaccine.

Chairperson Local council ones in Kiruhura district have welcomed the proposal by the Local government Minister, Hon Magyezi Raphael to have their salaries increased by 100%.

While appearing before Parliament’s Committee on Public Service and Local Government, chaired by Hon. Ojara Martin Mapenduzi last month, Magyezi revealed that Local government leaders will receive a 100 per cent pay increment starting the next financial year 2024/2025.

Speaking to Kazo fm on the matter, Abaho David, the LCI chairperson for Nshwere Empango ward in Rushere town council says given the enormous challenges the local chairpersons face during their work, it’s important that they get the pay rise.

Currently, chairpersons at Parish and village levels receive a monthly remuneration of Shs10,000; while sub-county chairpersons receive Shs400,000 and Shs35,000 for sub-county councilors. 

Municipal, City and District Councilors are paid 250,000 Shillings per month, subject to tax. Speakers and Deputy Speakers across various levels range from Shs300,000 to Shs600,000, while members of the City and District Executive Committee receive Shs600,000 per month.  City and District Chairpersons earn Shs2 million. 

James Kabukye, the LCI chairman Nyakasharara ward in Kiruhura town council wants their salary to be increased to atleast 200,000= a month, noting that it will motivate the chairpersons to ably do their work.

Police in Isingiro District are investigating circumstances, under which an 80-year old woman was murdered.

The deceased who has been identified as Joy Kitarinyeda, a resident of Kasaana I Cell Birere Sub county Isingiro District who was found dead lying in her house with the doors locked from outside.

Preliminary findings indicate that the deceased was last seen on the 30/03/2024 with a one Richard Bamwine aged 42years her man friend around her home.

Samson Kasasira, the Rwizi Regional Police Spokesperson, notes that at the time the body of the deceased was found in the house, Bamwine was no show and when arrested, he claimed that he had left her on the 30/03/2024 as he went for Easter holidays.

The body of the deceased was discovered with scratch marks on the neck and other parts, which pointed to possible strangulation.

Kasasira further reveals that two suspects including; Ephranse Nuwabeine, a daughter to the deceased and Bamwine Richard, the man friend have been apprehended to help with the investigations.

A memorandum of understanding granting Ethiopia access to one of the sea ports of the self-declared republic of Somaliland has drawn criticism in Somalia.

Prominent Somali political figures opposed to the deal signed on Monday say it threatens the stability of the Horn of Africa region and are urging Somalia’s government to intervene.

“The agreement signed by Ethiopia with Somaliland is a serious concern for Somalia and the whole of Africa. Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity is the anchor for regional stability and bilateral cooperation,” Somalia’s former President Abdullahi Mohamed Farmaajo shared on X.

Somalia’s former Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Abdi Aynte has called on Somalia to “act proportionally and swiftly”, terming the deal “an extremely provocative step” by Ethiopia that “has inevitably thrown the entire Horn of Africa region into a political crisis of epic proportions”.

Somaliland seceded from Somalia in 1991 but is not recognised internationally as an independent state, including by the UN and African Union.

Somalia, which considers Somaliland a part of its territory, is expected to give a response after an emergency cabinet meeting on Tuesday.