BY OUR REPORTER

In a closed-door meeting with a section of students’ leaders that took place in the Council Room of the main building, the Vice Chancellor Prof John Ddumba Ssentamu has agreed to revoke the suspension of fifteen students.

Mak VC Prof. Ddumba Sentamu while adressing students on Wednesday

Prof. Ddumba also said that he is not solely responsible for the drastic decision to suspend the students.

“I followed the right procedure to take this decision. I got those names from the Dean of Students and I acted accordingly with regards to the University Rules and Regulations,” Ddumba said
This followed a demonstration that was organised by students requesting to have their colleagues reinstated back to the University and the decision to suspend them rescinded.

Ddumba further said that from the Guild President’s notice, he acknowledges that the right procedure might not have been followed while suspending the students and he will constitute a committee of investigation into the matter. He added that what is quite obvious is that the damages will be compensated and there is no doubt about that before stressing that the suspension of the students has been revoked with immediate effect.

BY OUR REPORTER

Its no longer a secret that curtains have fallen off a property mogul who is now a former of the fourth largest commercial bank in Uganda. Sudhir Ruparelia is no ordinary Ugandan –You’re your reading right, I mean he is highly connected that all the other indigenous Ugandans like me and you.

Taking over such a bank, needed resolve, consultation, organization and someone who is up to his or her job – Read

Governor Emmanuel Mutebile.

After a series of consultations between the high office, the minister of Finance and the Bank of Uganda, it was agreed that Crane Bank take over was the last resort. How to do this was the next hurdle.

To avoid information leakage that could cause a crisis, the takeover was treated as a confidential matter.

Mknewslink understands the letter sanctioning the takeover of the Crane Bank was ready and signed by the Governor Tumusiime Mutebile on Wednesday 19^th October 2016 at 10:00 am. The Bank was to be closed the next day-Thursday 20^th October 2016.

What a coincidence, Sudhir had sought a meeting with the Bank of Uganda Governor to discuss a few things regarding Crane Bank. This is after Sudhir had held a couple of meetings with the high office and minister of Finance who referred him to the Governor.

Unaware to Sudhir, the meeting was fake. It was diversionary; the decision to take over the bank had been reached. Meanwhile, BoU through a third-party hired a dozen buses. These vehicles were to transport, BoU staff and Uganda Police officers to all the 46 Crane Bank branches countrywide.

From Kampala, the buses, started transporting BoU staff and police officers from around 8:00 P:m for the up-country branches. The men and women on the mission were briefed and not allowed to carry with them mobile phones or any kind of electronic gadgets. By 3:00 a:m, the BoU staff and police officers where already stationed next to Crane Bank branches waiting to move in. By 7:00 a:m, Crane Bank had been taken over.

Wednesday 19^th, was a normal day for Sudhir. He went to bed assured that his bank was at least safe for the next couple of days. He had requested that BoU gives him time to at least complete his daughter’s wedding before they close the bank. To which BoU agreed. Sources say, Sudhir was surprised by an early morning call from one of his trusted senior managers informing him that the bank had been taken over by Bank of Uganda. He reportedly made frantic calls with no response. It was too late.

Change Of Guards Expected At BoU

Analysts say, the events following Crane Bank takeover has somehow exposed the Bank of Uganda. Addressing the media on 20^th October 2016, Mutebile, told journalists that Crane Bank had been on BoU watch list since September 2015. Analysts wonder why it took a whole year to act. Crane bank Management feels the BoU unfairly treated their bank. Management says there are other commercial banks that are equally undercapitalized. The central Bank says the major reason for Crane Bank takeover was that the bank was undercapitalized.

Unconfirmed sources say even within BoU, the staff treated Crane Bank with utmost care. Everyone feared to move or act, much as they would love to do so as required by the law.

Analysts say, some BoU staff may have to go down with Crane Bank.

Tycoon Sudhir Ruparelia

BY ELLY KARENZI 

Police in Ibanda district have warned students who intend to disrupt the ongoing UCE examinations with violent strikes to desist from the same because they will be arrested and be prosecuted as how the law stipulates.
The DPC Ibanda district ASP Denis Ochama  sounded the warning early this week   during a school  council meeting at Nyarukiika High School in Rukiri sub county following a violent strike that rocked the school as the student were accusing the current head master Mr. Steven Gerald of denying them access to dormitories  during day time.

During the course of the strike,the students  pounced on the neighboring community and destroyed their property. ASP Denis said there are no arrests so far because he is still investigating the matter.

By Elly Katahinga

Ntungamo

Police in Ntungamo district are holding a 45 year old man who is suspected to have beheaded her wife after suspecting that she was having an affair another who reportedly infected her with HIV.

The OC Kagarama Town Council police post Mutamba Herbert identifed the arrested suspect as Mujuni Francis alias Kajana and the deceased as Kekitinisa Immaculate, 35.

Reports indicate that Mujuni was alerted by the concerned people about the closeness of her wife to a reknown pastor in the area only identified as Byaruhanga who runs  Bushamba Full gospel church. This did not rub him on the wrong right side and he decided to end her pretty life before God decided her fate.

It is said that after Mujuni had finished communiting an abomination, he undressed the body of the deceased and wrapped it in the bed sheets before placing it on bed and he hid himself in the extra corner of the house.

Because of the noise that was coming from the their rented house, it attracted the  neighbours who later demanded that he opens the door but when refused, they broke the door and found the deceased lying on the bed before hulling the suspect out the house. He was taken to Rwashamaire police station in a bid to save him from the angry mob and he was transferred to Ntungamo central police station.

The DPC Ntungamo police station Baker Kawonawo confirmed the unfortunate incident and he said that investigations are still going on.

By  Wilber Muhwezi and Agencies

In Kampala
A survey of the 10th members of parliament and their attitudes to the
electoral reforms shows that they want serious changes to be made in
order Uganda to witness better democracy.
73%  of the MPs said they would NOT support a constitutional amendment
eliminating the age limit for presidential candidates.  The present
age limit is at 75 years.

The survey conducted by Citizens’ Coalition for Electoral Democracy in
Uganda (CCEDU)  revealed that 65% of NRM MPS want the age limit to stay
while 35 of the NRM MPs want it removed. 97% of the opposition MPs say
the age limit should stay while 3% want it to be removed. And 81% of
the independent MPs want the age limit to stay as it is in the
constitution and 19% want it changed.
On the issue of parliamentary attitudes to reform the appointment of
the Electoral Commission, 77% stated that the selection  should follow
a process of open application, public scrutiny, by an independent
body,  parliamentary vetting and, finally presidential approval.
CCEDU partnered with the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and
USAID to conduct the survey in which 185 MPS were interviewed between
September 16th to October 7th .
CCEDU coordinator Chrispin Kaheru said they had presented similar
views in a proposal to parliament. CCEDU chairperson  Dr. Living stone
Sewanyana said the elected MPs want electoral reforms
to be implemented in order to build democracy.
Former MPs Simon Mulongo and Mathais Nsubuga called for legal reforms
in the electoral laws saying without them the President is at liberty
to make his appointment of the EC using the current laws.

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By Elly Katahinga

in Ntugamo—-

The Ntungamo District woman MP Hon. Beatrice Rwakimaari has expressed dismay over the corruption and shoddy work that is eating up the district saying it has frustrated Ntungamo to transform into middle income status.

According to Hon. Rwakimaari the district will not take any step forward unless civil servants and political leaders are transparent, accountable and able to play their roles diligently without accusing each other.

She made the remarks yesterday 24.10.2016 during the Ntungamo District Budget and planning conference for financial year 2017/2018 held in the District council Hall.

Hon. Rwakimaari was not happy found out that the Ntungamo district failed to utilize government funds where 109m shillings was returned to the treasury when the district is failing to extend service delivery to the public.

She blamed this to political leaders who fail to cooperate with civil servants to plan and monitor for government programs noting that as MPs they will not lobby for other funds when they are failing to put in use the resources in the district.

Hon Rwakimaari also tasked all duty bearers to curb the rampant school drop outs due to early marriages and teenage pregnancies which may hamper government target of girl child education.

In his response, the RDC Ntungamo Justine Mbabazi challenged all civil servants to work together and show the value of money while implementing the government projects or risk losing the jobs.

RDC Mbabazi also asked local leaders to respect each other and monitor projects in the areas of their jurisdiction to eliminate shoddy work citing 5 stance Pit latrine in Omungyenyi.

The Chairman LCV Ntungamo Denis Singahache appealed to all stakeholders to forget the past and work for the unity and development of the district in abid to attract more income generating projects.

Singahache assured them that the district is to revamp communal work commonly known as Burung Bwansi for the betterment of the district to reduce on expenditure.

BY ELLY KARENZI  

IN IBANDA—  

Three people died on spot in a fatal accident when a vehicle in which they were travelling in over turned several times a long Kazo – Ibanda road on Thursday night.

The Ibanda District Police Commander, Denis Ochama confirmed that the accident happened on Thursday night at 12.15 am and identified the deceased as Robert Nuwampereza,Lecturer at Alliance Vocational School in Ibanda Municipality Council who hails from Kabila sub county in Mitooma district,Sozi Ssesanga, a driver working with Crane Bank, Ibanda branch  and a resident of Kashaka village in Ibanda Municipality Council and Ms. Eddy Natukunda, a business woman operating a Boutique shop a long Jubillee Street in Ibanda  town and she hails from Bushenyi district.

Mr. Arther Rwomushana, a teacher at Alliance Senior Secondary School Ibanda, the only survivor  was rushed to Mayanja Memorial hospital in Mbarara  while in critical condition as he sustained  multiple injuries.

According to eye witnesses ,the  three bodies and   one  person who was still breathing in great pain remained inside the private  car reg. UAP 922 W near Rushango bridge  and  the milk vendors discovered them in the morning of Friday and raised alarm which attracted the neighebours and reported the matter at police.

Mr. Ochama contributed  the  cause of accident to over speeding and the driver failed to negotiate with a sharp corner at Rushango bridge and the car  over turned several times before it fell into a ditch  near the bridge.

Mr. Ochama cautioned drivers that they should not risk their lives by driving  late at night especially when they are drunk.

BY WILBER MUHWEZI

 IN BUSHENYI AND KAMPALA

The principal judge Yorokam Bamwine yesterday forced west diocese canons who had sued the Archbishop of the church of Uganda Stanly Ntagali to withdraw the case on Monday 31^st /10/2016 in order to bring harmony and peace in the diocese.

In the meeting which sat in Kampala yesterday that was attended by six canons and five Christians from west Ankole diocese as well as provincial chancellor Mr. Tumusingize Barnabas.

Tumusingize represented the archibishop whereas Counsel Owen Murangira was lawyer of  the canons.  

The  canons won on one side where by the archbishop was stopped from appointing eight commissaries whom the canons were opposed to

The meeting between the principal judge and the canons came as a result of a letter in which the archbishop wrote to the principle judge requesting him to intervene in the matter after justice Lydia Mugambe had issued the interim order stopping the archbishop from taking over west ankole diocese’s Episcopal jurisdiction.

The archbishop was embarrassed by the court order at the time when he was going to inaugurate the 8 commissaries at lake view hotel in mbarara. The function was cut short.

Lydia Mugambe had scheduled to hear the application of the canons case on 31^st October 2016 s well as the interim injunction. If  what the principal judge advised is put into force, the case will be withdrawn from court.

The court case led to the birth of a pressure group of Christians in west ankole who condemn the actions of canons to sue the archibishop.

Bishop Katoneene retired on 2^nd October 2016 and never left a successor and this has resulted into amongst.

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BY FRED MWEBEMBEZI

FORT PORTAL

Kabarole district Councillors are in a move to petition the parliament of Uganda demanding that they should too be provided with vehicle and burial allowances just like how it is for the Members of Parliament since they (Councillors) are also government workers.

The sickening motion was tabled by Tulyahabwe Remegious, the district councilor representing Rwiimi Sub County who doubles as the chairperson for production. This was during the council meeting that was held on Friday at the district headquarters in Kitumba east division, Fort portal municipality.

Turyahebwa revealed that a few individuals like MPs, technocrats, executive and judiciary share the country’s resources in terms of salaries, medical allowances, burial allowances, housing allowances, vehicles among others, citing that lower local government leaders and the general public have been left behind.

He added that despite not benefiting much from the country’s cake, local government leaders do a lot of work which is almost 80 percent in supervision and implementation of government programs.

“government should immediately start giving district councilors Shs 20million to buy vehicles which will help in proper supervision of the government works, Shs 5M as burial expenses in case the district councilor dies, be exempted from paying taxes and also increase our salaries” he lamented.

Students of Tender Talent magnet School being guided by DTB Customer Service Officers (HadijaNabukera and Aminah Nabyonga)  on suitable bank account while at World Savings Day held at Constitutional Square.

BY SIMON AINOMUGISHA

Diamond Trust Bank in conjunction with Bank of Uganda on Monday 31^st October joined the rest of the world to celebrate World saving day under the theme “You can do it.”
World Savings Day is celebrated every 31^st October with the objective of bringing light the importance and relevance of Saving. DTB has previously participated in similar events with the aim of encouraging the population to transfer their savings into bank accounts. During the same function, Samuel Muyingo the head of marketing  said that it is necessary to save because it gives you peace of mind, expands your options for decisions that have a major effect on your quality of life and eventually gives you the option to retire adding that most of the people put in hundreds of hours of work each year to earn most of their money but when you have savings and stash your funds in the right places, your money starts to work for you because over time, you’ll need to work less and less as your money works more and more, and eventually, you might be able to stop working altogether. He added that you can simply walk into any of the 38 DTB branches Country wide where the customer will be guided by the Customer Service officers on a suitable bank account that suits the customer financial position and start saving. The event was graced by other banking institutions like Baclays, Standard chartered bank, Stanbic, Marchantile, KCB, Centenary bank among others.

BY VANANSIO KAKOGOSO

Lecturers at Kabale University have called off their sit down strike
following the partial payment of their salaries.
Last week the University administrators, out of the 8 months, they managed to only pay 3 hence leaving the outstanding arrears pending.

In their letter dated 28th 2016, it details that following the academic staff meeting on 27th October, they (lecturers) have agreed to resume work as quickly as possible as negotiations are going on up to 27th November this year. Led by the Chairman University Professional Academic Staff Union-UPASU
Dr Joseph Tindyebwa, they assured the management and council to effect their promise.

The Kabale University public relations officer Judith Atukunda says
that they have not received the letter adding that the lecturers
should take heart because the university authorities are working had
to have their salary arrears paid.

By Elly Katahinga

In Ntungamo—

A heavy hailstorm on Tuesday 01.11.2016 hit seven villages in Ntungamo municipality destroying plantations and gardens of crops worth million of shillings.

Reports from Kyanju I , Kikoni, Kabahambi, Kabagyenda, Cell 8, Cell 9 and Cell 3 indicates that over 1000 families were left with nothing to eat since most of them were devastated in heavy rain lasted of 1hour.

However, the most hit village was Kyanju I where gardens of beans, cassava, maize, coffee and banana were destroyed.

By the time our reporter arrived in Kyanju I some of the hailstones were still visible on the ground which forced the affected residents led by LCI chairman Mukungu Wilson and Area councilor Mugume Erias carried the basins of hailstones to the office LCV and CAO Ntungamo District seeking for assistance.

The LCV chairman Ntungamo District Denis Singahache urged the government to extend relief items for the affected villages.

Singahache comforted the residents promising them to write to the office the prime minister to come and assess the degree of devastation.

BY WILBER MUHWEZI

IN BUSHENYI—-

Two witch doctors are being held at Greater Bushenyi regional police headquarters on charges of raping a kampala international university third year student and as well stealing her 2.9 million tuition.

The regional police publicist Martial Tumusiime, identified the witch doctors as Nazario Bazarwa 72 years and David Bamwetaki 57 years all residents of Nyantoma parish Kashenshero sub-county in Mitooma district.

Tumusiime told www.mknewslink.com editor Wednesday that the student whose names were withheld, went to the two witchdoctors to stop her boy friend from running a new girl friend.

The two old men told the social work and social administration finalist at KIU western campus that she should sleep at the shrine and the medicine would be administered the following morning.

The victim told police that during the night the two old men turned against the young girl and raped her.

Tumusiime said that the two witch doctors have been charged with rape and obtaining money by false pretence and the file is already at state attorney’s office.

He warned the people of greater Bushenyi to be carefull with the fake witch doctors especially in Mitooma district. “They are just stealing peoples money. In the real sense they are fake witch doctors” Tumusiime warned.

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BY WILBER MUHWEZI

IN BUSHENYI

Bushenyi police today Nov. 03, 2016 arrested Bushenyi district sports officer and two other officials for opening PLE envelopes yesterday morning before reaching schools.

According to Bushenyi district police commander Damiano Katwesiime, officials in police custody include Micheal Mbasa Matiigi sports officer, Eliot Muhumuza and Scovia Kiconco.

DPC Katwesiime noted the three officials yesterday morning while transporting exams from Bushenyi police to three primary schools of Kashoozi boarding primary school, Buyanja and Nyakabanga primary schools opened the envelops and leaked the exams.

Bushenyi district head of UNEB monitoring team M/S Elezabeth Mutumba told www.mknewslink.com editor that all the examination envelops were intact by the time they were released from police.

She noted that she was sure that the exams for the three schools were tampered with.

“Me I have worked for a long time in UNEB and therefore can’t allow such irresponsible behavior to put a spot on my performance. Am the  one who discovered this mess” Ms Mutumba noted.

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BY VANANSIO KAKOGOSO

KABALE
Police in Kabale district are investigating the circumstances under which a 27 year old man was found lying dead in his own house. The deceased has been only identified as Kakuru, a resident of Rwabaremera village, Rugarama parish in Maziba Sub County.

According to the residents, on 1st October, the deceased went bonkers – read mad and threatened to chop his family members to tatters but they would later the crime preventers who confined him in his house.

On Wednesday, the family members agreed to free him but he refused to vacate the house in question and he was later found dead in the evening.  On learning about the nasty incident, the relatives of the deceased ran to Kabale police station and reported the case under reference SD17/03/11/2016 adding that they wanted to bury the body.  The Kigezi sub region police spokesperson Elly Maate says that when the  police surgeon  examined the body, it was found with deep wounds on both the legs and arms but he assured the relatives that the matter will be fairly investigated and a report be given. By press time, the investigations were under way.

Accused; Rev. Enock Kayeeye

BY VANANSIO KAKOKOGOSO

KABALE

Security  and local authorities in Kabale district have intervened in the rift  between the Emeritus Bishop of North Kivu in Democratic Republic of Congo Rt. Rev Enoch Kayeeye and elders forum over President Musevni’s donation.

The elders on Thursday morning stormed the office of the Kabale Resident District Commissioner protesting and accusing Bishop Kayeye who is the Chairperson for Banyakigezi Elders Forum for allegedly misusing Seven hundred seventy seven million shillings which was donated to the Forum by President Yoweri Museveni in early 2015 to help them start up income generating projects. The angry elders claim that after receiving the money, Bishop Kayeye kept the information to himself and secretly bought a commercial building along Kabale road in Kabale Municipality in his names instead of the Forum’s name.

Bishop Kayeye is also being accused of swindling another four hundred million shillings from President Museveni mean’t for mobilization in Kigezi region. Elders say that although they petitioned the office of the Kabale Resident District Commissioner in a letter dated 26/10/2016, he took long to intervene into their issues. The elders who were led by Anteli Twahirwa, the Chairperson Elders for Central Division, Zadock Kamusiime, the Secretary General for Kigezi Elders Forum for Kabale District, Maria Kitebe, Patrick Bigyirwa among others stormed the office of the Kabale Resident District Commissioner saying that they are tired of Bishop Kayeye’s mismanagement. The Kabale Resident District Commissioner, Darius Nandiinda and his Deputy Denis Nzeirwe, calmed them down before they held a three hour closed meeting where journalists were barred for accessing.  Nadiinda later told journalists that the matter will be handled next week when all parties together with the Forum board of trustees are available.

BY VANANSIO KAKOGOSO

IN KABALE

President Yoweri Museveni yesterday officially commissioned Kabale
University as public university and installed Prof. George Mondo
Kagonyera as its first Chancellor.
Kabale University became public university effective 1st July this
year by Statutory Instrument No. 31, in accordance with the
Universities & Other Tertiary Institutions Act 2006.
Prof. Kagonyera who is also former chancellor of Makerere University
was appointed in April this year, on recommendation of university
council and he will serve for four years.
During the installation, President Museveni described Kagonyera as a
man who has accomplished all tasks assigned to him.
President Museveni said the strategic location of the university will
serve the Pan-African vision of the government.  He also warned the
university from starting courses that will only produce graduates to
increase the number of unemployed youths on the streets.

Shortly after installation, Prof Kagonyera instituted the congregation
at the first graduation ceremony of 2120 graduands since Kabale
University became public university and 10th graduation since it
started.
In his speech, Kagonyera demanded the amendment of the law that allows
installation of chancellor to have chancellors perform duties in
university management. He also demanded government to increase
infrastructural development at the university.

The graduation was attended by Prime Minister of Uganda Rt. Hon. Dr.
Ruhakana Rugunda, Minster for higher education Hon John Chrysestom
Muyingo, and Minster for Labor Hon Herbert Kabafunzaki among other
dignitaries.

BY WILBER MUHWEZI

IN BUSHENYI—

The minister of state for local government Jenifer Naminyango yesterday revealed that the censure process of Mitooma district chairman Benon Karyaija is on course.

She noted a tribunal composed of five members headed by a judge was put in place and is about to commence work.

“As a ministry, We have already instituted a tribunal to look into issues raised by the councilors and anytime it will commence work” Minister Naminyango told www.mknewslink.com editor.

She made this revelation yesterday at Kyamuhunga sub-county headquarters during the official launch of Kyamuhunga town council in Bushenyi district.

At the end of Sept. 2016, eighteen Mitooma district councilors out of 26 signed a petition to censure their earlier very popular district chairmen over many issues that include corruption, causing financial loss among others.

She noted that tribunal will sit in Mitooma and evaluate the issues raised by councilors and if found valid, the district chairman would be censured.

On the other hand Chairman Karyaija told listeners of Hunter fm radio recently that he is innocent and was sure that he would not be implicated by the tribunal.

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BY OUR REPORTER

IN MBARARA—

A man suspected to be a homosexual has gone into hiding following reports that security authorities in Mbarara are hunting for him to arrest him.

In what seems to be a case of “double jeopardy” some of the relatives and his former associates are reportedly baying for the blood of the now ‘fugitive’ discreetly referred to as LMK whom they accuse of indulging in what they call an abominable sin(read homosexuality).

A female adult (other names withheld for security reasons) who interestingly claims to be an official church-wed wife of the missing man, one Leonard discreetly known as LMK is worried about the fate and whereabouts of her  41-year husband.

She told our reporter that when she last saw him on October 16^th 2016, he (her husband) looked worried and reportedly revealed that he feared for his life following reported incidents of harassment by security officials. The situation would according to the wife later get worse with  increased threats from the community after it emerged that the reportedly hitherto introvert Leonard had turned into a bum driller (having sex with fellow men).

She further said that efforts to either talk to him on his known mobile phone contacts have not yielded any fruits as they are reportedly switched off for more than two weeks now.

It has also been established that the missing man who according to his wife has been living a ‘double life’ (engaged in both homosexual and heterosexual relationships) could not be traced from his other residential home in Kakoba suburb of Mbarara town.

The missing man was reportedly operations manager of a business in Mbarara town since 2013 where he used to spend most of his time and would occasionally visit his village home  in Rwampara (about 15 miles away) where his family permanently lived.

Talking about her ordeal, the wife who looked shaken  and held back tears as she narrated her story said that her husband has for a long time been denying being a gay until in July this year when I discovered that he is in a secret relationship with a gay man who lives in Kampala.

It was only when he started living a discreet life and spending many days in Mbarara and Kampala without coming home that I started getting worried until one day when I eavesdropped a conversation between a relative that worked and lived with him in Mbarara talking about his strange behaviour.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          The wife admitted that although it was painful and heartbreaking after she confirmed her man’s strange  sexual orientation, she had to accept her fate  after failing to dissuade her husband’s from what she thought was a “bizzare” and unfaithful relationship contrary to  had for many years seemed to be a happy marriage.

“Some years, I became suspicious about his being involved in gay (homosexuality) activities when I found a romantic message in his phone from someone called John.  When I asked him he denied but when he continued behaving strange and I also got some information from one of his workers at the shop in Mbarara, I informed his family and some of his friends”. She explained that when he was confronted by some family members about the allegations, he vehemently denied before he even vowed that he was going to wed me in church to prove his commitment.

“He indeed went ahead and wed me in church although it later turned out to be only a formality. He thereafter continued with his acts and became more detached from me.  But I decided to remain strong as I prayed to God (in vain) for Devine intervention. He never changed at all except that he never abandoned our four children and he used to provide everything although he rarely slept at home unless on big occasions or when we had important visitors.”

Asked whether she had reported to Mbarara police or any other local authority about her missing husband, she said that she  thought it would not help  since he (her man) had even become an outcast both in the family and community who had at one time threatened to harm him because of become a disgrace.

She however could not reveal having witnessed any incident of the alleged harassment of her man by the government agents although she said that a few months before his disappearance, Lonard was living a sort of ‘fugitive’ life as he used to arrive at any of his different friend’s homes in Mbarara unannounced and spend days indoors without moving to work in town.

According to his wife, a relative who used to work and live with her husband in Mbarara once revealed to her that he was ‘too deeply’ involved with a middle–aged man whom he used to travel from Kampala to visit their Mbarara home every weekend and would share a bedroom with his boss (LMK).

In an attempt to verify the story, our writer rung the Mbarara district criminal intelligence officer TabanKiriga   who said he was not aware of any case or arrest of any person involved in homosexual activities.

“I have just been away and I need time to check about these allegations of the reported harassment and detention (if any) of someone involved in homosexuality. All I can say for now is that the only case we have heard and got interested in was about some Secondary school male students in one of the government-aided high schools here in town where it was alleged some boys were involved in such activities. But even then, our primary investigations revealed that it could have been sheer malice and rivalry among the students.

He added that “ It should however be noted that The Ugandan Penal Code criminalizes same sex relationships and if proven may call for heavy and serious court action”

On her part, the Uganda Human Rights Commission official when asked whether they would be willing to handle such a complaint related to harassment due to the missing man’s alleged sexual orientation had this to say after requesting to remain anonymous; “Yes we can register and investigate the complaint but we would of course limit ourselves to what the Ugandan law books say about same sex relationships.

On the other hand, his case is not unique given the fact that a section of Ugandans have previously accused the government agents of harassment, illegal detention or torture. A few years ago, a meeting of a group of Ugandans and their international guests was disbanded by police on the reported orders of a minister in charge of Ethics and Integrity.

Relatedly, a Bill popularly known as “Bahati Bill” which was tabled in the Ugandan parliament about two years ago  kicked off  a storm  and international attention  when the majority of Ugandan law makers started warming up to push it through with intentions of  criminalizing same sex relationships/acts by spelling out harsh penalties for the offenders.

Although the Bill was later shelved after an alleged “intervention and pressure from international powers” Ugandans who believe and practice same sex relationship have and continue being seen as outcasts and are usually haunted both in their communities and authorities.

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BY WILBER MUHWEZI

IN BUSHENYI—

IGARA West Member of parliament Rapheal Magyezi over the weekend revealed that speaker of Uganda’s parliament Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga has given him a go ahead to table a private member’s to create a tea development authority.

He noted that other crops like coffee, cotton and others have authorities that manage well their operations but tea doesnot have an authority to cater for its operations.

MP Magyezi made these remarks to www.mknewslink.com editor at Kyamuhunga sub-county headquarters during the official launch of kyamuhunga town.

He said that his town council has five functional tea factories; Igara growers tea factory, Global Village Tea factory, Kyamuhunga tea company, Macklords tea factory and Africano’s tea factory.

The chairman LC111 Kyamuhunga sub-county, Mr. Ignatius Musoke noted that other three tea factories are in offing to make them eight.

Magyezi noted that with the massive distribution of tea seedlings to farmers by operation wealth creation[OWC], there is need for an authority to regulate and manage tea in Uganda.

“The speaker of parliament has given a go ahead that as soon as parliament resumes from recess, I table the tea development authority bill as private member’s bill” Magyezi affirmed.

Ninety percent of tea produced in Uganda is auctioned in Mombasa and taken to Asian and European countries. Only 10% is consumed locally according to researchers on tea.

After making a law that puts in place a tea development authority presumably operations and management of tea will be better.

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