IN KABALE
Police in Kabale district has discovered a gun that was lost by Uganda
new Securiko limited guard.
On Saturday last week, Emmanuel Beijuka who is former Uganda People’s
Defense Forces soldier a resident of Kigongi A cell central division
lost a semi-automatic rifle while on duty.
It’s alleged that Beijuka was deployed in central market on Saturday
evening but by morning he disappeared with the gun to unknown place
and he was arrested on Monday this week but he could not tell
whereabouts of the gun.
The Kigezi region police spokesperson Elly Maate says that the gun was
discovered yesterday by people in the market near the garbage
collecting centre in central market.
Maate adds that when people saw it dumped, they immediately reported
to police that picked it. He says that Beijuka will be charged with
negligence of duty.
The Kabale Resident district Commissioner Darius Nandinda says that
following this incident that happened, they have started auditing the
number of guns that security companies have to avoid guns landing in
wrong hands in the forthcoming festivities.
Ten people have been killed in Kasese district today following the resumption of fighting between the Uganda people’s defense forces [UPDF], police and people royal to the Omusinga wa Rwanzururu Charles Wensly Iremangoma.
According to sources from Kasese town, eight people were killed at the office of the prime minister of Rwenzururu kingdom located in kasese town.
The Source added Two royal guards were killed at Mariba police post as they tried to attack the police post.
Radio Messiah journalist based in Kasese covering the incidents, Joel Kaguta told a www.mknewslink.com editor on phone at 4:00pm today that the situation was tense and the commanders from all security departments didn’t want to talk to media.
The journalist added that the office of the kingdom prime minister Johnson Thembo was vandalized after the killings.
The second division commander, Brig. Peter Erweru picked www.mknewslink.com editor but noted that he was in a meeting and could not speak to us. He cut off the phone call immediately.
Keep logged in to www.mknewslink.com for more details about the Kasese fighting.
Rwenzururu king, charles Wensly Mumbere who was arrested this afternoon from his palace by combined security.
Rwenzururu king Charles Wensly Mumbere has just been arrested from his palace in Kasese by security operatives. This is according to a credible source close to the kingdom.
The source added that the King was taken to Maragarita hotel waiting for orders from above to take him to another destination.
Today, 12 people royal to king Mumbere were critically injured and the palace is under siege with heavy deployment of police, UPDF and other security agencies.
Our credible source added that president Museveni spoke to the king on phone at 11:00pm last night and ordered him to disband the royal guards but it seems the king refused which led to the his arrest today.
Since yesterday, 44 people have died in the fighting; 30 royal guards of the king and 14 security officers mainly police.
While speaking on NTV last night, the deputy executive director of Uganda media centre Col. Shaban Bantariza noted that the king of Rwenzururu must disband the his royal guards because they are connected to armed groups in the region.
On the other hand religious leaders, civil society organizations and politicians from the area are pushing for a dialogue between the president Museveni and King Mumbere to solve the issues amicably but it seems not to be the position of government.
The situation in Kasese is extremely volatile. By this afternoon no shops were open as well as any business. Relatives of the dead tried this morning to claim their bodies but security chased them away.
Security officials have transferred over fifty people arrested during
the Rwenzururu palace raid to several detention Centre’s within Ankole
region.
Information obtained by journalists indicate that the suspects were
transferred last night to Bushenyi, Ibanda and Mbarara police stations
to ease investigations.
A senior police officer on condition of anonymity told www.mknewslink.com reporter
that security felt it necessary to have them transferred because it is
a risk to keep them in Kasese district.
Thirty five of them who include five women were taken to Mbarara
central police station while twenty others were rushed to Ibanda
police detention center and unspecified numbers of other Rwenzururu
Kingdom suspects have been detained at Bushenyi police station.
Army and police raided the Rwenzururu Palace in Kasese town after King
Charles Wesley Mumbere refused to disband his royal guards who are
believed to be part of a militia allegedly agitating for the creation
of an independent Yira state
During the raid which left over forty royal guards dead, Police
arrested the King now incarcerated at Nalufenya detention facility in
Jinja district.
Leaders and citizens from Bushenyi district Tuesday approved a proposed bill that is aimed at stopping use of huge sums of money in political campaigns in a process of electing political leaders into office.
The approval was made Tuesday Nov. 29, 2016 at Katungu mothers’ union hall in Bushenyi town.
Odo Tayebwa former Bushenyi-Ishaka MP speaking at the dialogue
The proposed private members bill is expected to be presented on the floor of Uganda’s parliament soon according to the national coordinator of Alliance for election campaign finance monitoring, Mr. Henry Muguzi.
During a half day meeting held at Katungu mothers’ union hall in Bushenyi town, parliamentary and local leaders noted that it was appropriate to have the law.
Paul Kahiigi[standing] Umar Muhanguzi and others at the meeting.Umar Muhanguzi, a former parliamentary candidate for Igara West constituency in Bushenyi district and district NRM secretary general, revealed that the bill should also include a provision of punishing political king makers who dish into campaigns a lot of money on behalf of some candidates.
Paul Turyamureeba Kahiigi, the former candidate for Bushenyi district chairmanship who is currently in the court of appeal tussling it out with Jafari Basajabalaba noted that its NRM party leaders that are monitorizing elections.
Deputy Bushenyi-Ishaka municipality deputy mayor Lawrence Baryaruha[standing] Bushenyi DPC Katwesiime and others at the diologueHe gave an example of FDC presidential candidate Col Dr. Kizza Besigye campaign rally in Bushenyi district in 2016 elections, as a party district chairman was given 500,000= and was enough whereas when president Museveni campaigned in Bushenyi district, he spent 60 million excluding contributions from well wishers.
Odo Tayebwa the loser in Bushenyi-Ishaka municipality parliamentary seat told the meeting in order one to win a parliamentary seat, he/she needs one billion Uganda shillings and the total emoluments from parliament five years is the same amount.
political analyst Dagalous Rwamutojo and FDC’S Baker matsiko listening to speakers at the diologue
He noted that what happens is that MPS who spent heavily resort to demanding bribes from permanent secretaries and chief administrative officers and any other accounting officers to survive and promise them friendly reports.
The half day dialogue was organized by western Ankole civil society forum [WACSOF] operating in Ankole with support from Alliance for election campaign finance monitoring [ACFIM]
Police in Kanungu are holding one person in connection with the theft
of music system that belonged to St.peters church Nyakatare. The music system was
stolen on Thursday last week.
Joab wabwire, the district police commander identified the suspect as
one Katende a resident of Nyakatunguru in Kasese district who was
arrested on Wednesday 30th November as he tried to transport a big
speaker.
“we have arrested one katende we found trying to take the sound
speaker we believe is one of the music system stolen from the church
last week from Kihiihi to Kasese” Wabwire said.
Wabwire adds that investigations have been on going until Katende’s arrest.
“we are going to use the vital information the suspect has provided to
arrest his gang and recover other Music systems still missing” said
Wabwire.
He says Katende’s arrest followed a concern from a taxi driver one
salongo who asked Katende for a receipt for the speaker which he
failed to provide.
“we received a call from a concerned citizen, so as swung in action
and arrested the suspect” .
He called on the public to be vigilant of such people especially now
that a festive season is drawing closer.
sentaro-byamugishs-kabale-mayor [swearing in]who engineered the arrest of accountant Asiimwe
Police in Kabale district is investigating circumstances under which
Northern Division Treasure is accused of swindling government funds.
Godwin Asiimwe aka Brown was arrested yesterday on orders of Kabale
Municipal mayor Emmanuel Sentaro Byamugisha and Kabale district
Internal Security officer Ronald Kashaija Byenjeru.
Asiimwe was arrested after two audit reports of 2015/2016 pinned him
that he paid himself 26million shillings for monitoring projects and
other activities that never existed.
He is also accused of diverting Community Demand Driven-CDD funds
totaling to 18million that were intended to benefit women and youth
groups in Northern division.
The report also indicate that northern division sponsored Asiimwe with
7.7million shillings in 2015 to go for diploma course at Uganda
Management Institute which he did not do. It indicates that he forged
the transcript to account for the money.
The audit report also indicate that Asiimwe paid himself allowances
for fuel totaling to 6million yet he did not have a registered vehicle
that is supposed to get division fuel.
Sentaro says that they will follow up the audit report so that the tax
payers’ money is not put to waste by selfish civil servants.
The Officer in charge criminal investigations at Kabale police station
Henry Ariyanga says that Asiimwe was arrested but he has been released
on police bond as investigations into the matter continue.
The Northern Division Chairperson Isaac Mucunguzi Rushoga says that
the arrest of Asiimwe should teach other civil servants not to swindle
public money or they face the law.
Police in Ibanda have arrested a man for allegedly murdering his wife.
The Ibanda district police commander SP Denis Ochama has identified
suspect as Posiano Kakama of Kashangura in Kagongo division Ibanda
municipality.
According to the DPC, the suspect got a domestic quarrel with his late
wife Ninsiima Mary 34 that resulted into a fight and led to the death
of the wife.
Talking to Posiano, he said that on 27th of November, he left meat with
his wife for sell at te cost fo 140.000UGX but e found his wife with 130.000UGX
and she used 10.000UGX to drink alcohol.
When he asked his wife, wo was drunk they started fighting where he
hurt her with a broken glass of bottle.
The deceased over bled and died after reaching Kagongo hospital. DPC Ochama says investigations are going on and te next step will be communicated.
Retired Bishop Katoneene of west Ankole Diocese picking a car winning raffle in Rwentuha town today
Igara East former member of Parliament in Bushenyi district, Micheal Maranga Mawanda has today afternoon Dec. 03, 2016 together with the Retired Bishop of west Ankole diocese Yona Mwesigwa Katonene handed over a brand new car worth 22 million and 17 million prizes to the customers of Development microfinanc.
A function held in Rwentuha town was marking an end of a six month promotion for the two branches of Mwengura and Rwentuha.
According to the branch manager for development micro finance Rwentuha Ms Zainab Wabona, in order one to participate in the promotion, he/she had to fix 200, 000 on account for six months and then enter the draw.
The winner of the car, Mr. Abubak Ssebyara receiving keys from RTD Bishop Katoneene
The guest of honor, retired Bishop Katoneene picked the raffle of the vehicle was won by one Abubak Ssebyara, a tailor in Ishaka town.
The car Escudo UAX-960L was handed over to Ssebyara who was overwhelmed by the chance that came to his life.
“Am extremely happy to the fact that I came ridding a motorcycle and am now going back driving a brand new car. Thanks to Development micro finance” Sebyara told the gathering.
Mr. Abubak Ssebyara jumping and celebrating after being announced winner
He added that he entered the draw once, fixed only 200,000= and others according to the managers of the two branches entered the draw more than five times averagely.
Facts available show that the oldest SACCOS all over the country, organize promotions but there is non that has ever given out a vehicle or spend on prizes worth 17 million. They normally they give, cows goats and Chicken.
Development microfinance started in 2004 and has over eight branches. Two are in Bushenyi district whereas others are in Mukono and Busoga region districts.
Mr.Ssebyara starting the vehicle and thereafter Bishop Katoneene prayed for the winner.
Chris Bebanza, Kyeizooba sub-county LCIII chairman urged Mawanda to continue supporting education in the constituency even if he is not the area MP. “You were born by an educationist therefore the support you have rendered has an origin, and please continue” Mr. Bebanza urged Mawanda.
Image copyrightREUTERS Image captionThe palace was burnt down during the clashes
A Ugandan king has been charged with murder following violent clashes in which more than 80 people died last week. The BBC’s Patience Atuhaire visited the western town of Kasese and explains how the situation got to this point.
A strong smell hangs in the air – a swam of flies buzzes off dead goats in a kraal, or compound, fenced with papyrus reeds.
At the steps of the main palace building, a trail of thick, dried blood leads to an office to the left. Inside, a pile of documents is scattered all over the floor, the chairs and table.
Image copyrightREUTERS Image captionKing Chares Wesley Mumbere has been arrested and charged with murder
An album-size photograph of Charles Wesley Mumbere, king of Rwenzururu, lies in the rubble on the veranda.
Military men, armed to the teeth, walk about with purpose. CID investigators are still going from one burnt hut to another, gathering items – discarded clothes, cooking utensils, petrol bombs and machetes.
A kingdom minister is screaming himself hoarse while stamping his foot on the ground on the floor of a burnt hut.
He says: “Please don’t be afraid. Talk to us so that we can try to get you out. I am here. I am a kingdom official.”
No response.
We are told that they got a text message from a group of seven men and one woman, who, when the army mounted an attack on the palace last Sunday, retreated into an underground tunnel and are still trapped there.
Police officers try to dig with shovels and hoes in search for the entrance to the tunnel, with no luck. Their commanders agree that an excavator will be needed.
Image copyrightAP Image captionThis man waits in a queue in the hope of finding his dead relative in the morgue
The previous day, dozens of people had gathered outside the Kasese Municipality Health Centre III, anxious to find out if their loved ones were in the morgue.
They wiped sweat from their brows and tears from their eyes.
Image captionApollonia Muhindo may soon have to raise her eight children alone if her royal guard husband is found in the morgue
But 40-year-old Apollonia Muhindo stayed home in Kirembe village; the family had sent her brother-in-law to Kasese town to find her husband. Apollonia’s husband was one of the king’s guards present when security officials attacked the palace.
She enters her small kitchen and starts making a local cassava flour and banana snack commonly known as kabalagala.
Money from selling the snacks brings in a small income and she may soon have to face the reality of being the sole breadwinner for her eight children.
As I speak to her, the corners of her eyes begin to well up.
“I am now living in fear and uncertainty. I am wondering where my husband could be. I don’t know whether he is alive or dead.
“My husband was a royal guard. I am not aware of him having worked for people who are said to be militants.”
Image copyrightAFP Image captionThe palace has been cordoned offImage copyrightAFP Image captionWitnesses say the shooting went on for about two hours
Just after midday on Saturday 26 November, the army and police stormed the kingdom’s administrative offices on Alexander Street in Kasese town.
People had opened their shops and were waiting for customers when the shooting started, according to an eyewitness who asked not to be named.
The 24-year-old and her two younger sisters were trapped in their shop. She locked the door, told her sisters to lie on the floor and kept peeping through a small hole in the window.
“The army lined the whole street. Then they tried to break down the door of the kingdom offices. Then they started shooting. It got so intense, my sisters were crying. We heard screams of the people who were being shot.”
The shooting went on for more than two hours, she says, and by the time everything was calm, two soldiers had been injured by the royal guards and another killed.
“The soldiers eventually came out with lots of documents, machetes and some uniforms of the guards. I didn’t really see how many royal guards were killed. It was around 5pm when we managed to go out.”
Image copyrightREUTERS Image captionThe army said it had launched the operation to disarm separatists in the region
According to official figures, 62 people died in the shoot-out between Uganda’s security forces and guards of the traditional ruler of the Bakonzo community, in the weekend attack.
Hundreds more were arrested during the operation and remain in detention. King Mumbere himself was arrested, charged with murder and is still in custody.
Both the government and army defended their actions, saying they had gone in to disband and disarm a group of militants who had been recruited, trained and armed by the kingdom establishment.
Members of the so-called Kilhumira Mutima (the Strong-Hearted) group are said to be fighters for a movement that seeks to secede from the rest of Uganda and create its own Yiira Republic.
The movement is reported to have support on the other side of the border in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, which is populated by people who are ethnically related to the people of the Rwenzori region.
A regional security meeting held five days before the attack had resolved to raid and disband camps supposedly set up by the Kilhumira Mutima group in several villages across Kasese district.
Image copyrightREUTERS Image captionThe army says royal guards armed themselves to face-off security officers
Government officials have said the group, which was largely composed of the king’s guards, then armed themselves when they got wind of the impending attack by security forces.
The secessionist tensions in this region date back to the 1960s, the government says.
The government officially recognised the Kingdom of Rwenzururu in 2009 after years of agitation by Bakonzo leaders against marginalisation.
But granting the Bakonzo their own kingdom does not seem to have done much to calm tensions.
In 2012 and 2014 armed men attacked police stations and army detachments.
More than 60 people, including eight members of the armed forces, died in those clashes. Mr Museveni blamed the 2014 incident on intelligence failure.
One would think that those responsible for national intelligence and security would have learnt their lessons and pre-empt attacks by armed groups in the regions but in March 2016, violent clashes in Bundibugyo district claimed the lives of more than 20 people and displaced 5,000 others.
However, some people in Bakonzo have dismissed possibility that the traditional institution is linked to the Yiira Republic movement.
“I don’t think the Bakonzo people have any intention of destabilising this region, especially after years of suffering at the hands of Allied Democratic Front [ADF rebels],” says 63-year-old Saul Maate.
Image copyrightREUTERS Image captionSecurity forces display weapons confiscated from the royal guards
Negative sentiments against the Ugandan government, he says, are as a result of pent-up anger from unfulfilled government promises.
“Every election the government promises roads so that farmers can ferry their produce down to the towns. In 2001, Kasese was burnt down by the Allied Democratic Front rebels. Lives and property were lost. The government promised the people compensation, but this has never happened.”
Regional army commander Peter Elwelu says the separatist crusade may have links to groups like the ADF.
“The strategy of using Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) is an ADF tactic. We have intelligence that the king had started to establish military camps in the mountains,” he says.
“The fighters had started to abduct people, collect taxes, kill policemen and soldiers. There is a village where they abducted a local leader, tortured him to death and buried him in that camp. He [the king] had crossed the line,” Mr Elwelu adds.
Image captionThe kingdom’s cabinet is desperate to secure the release their detained king
But the Rwenzururu kingdom maintains it has no intention of establishing a Yiira Republic or has links to militants.
“It is just being perpetuated by enemies of the kingdom. And some of them are Bakonzo who are not in support of the kingdom,” says Enock Muhindo, the kingdom’s speaker of parliament.
“And those people are trying to sell the idea to the population. The Obusinga [king] has no intention or dream of fighting for a separate state,” he adds.
The kingdom’s cabinet have resolved to meet President Museveni and negotiate with the government, especially on the king’s detention.
“We want to believe that the government doesn’t want this situation to escalate,” Mr Muhindo says.
Image captionThe Rwenzururu kingdom is known for its greenery and wildlife attraction
Rwenzori region is an area not only rich in culture but also in natural resources. It is famous for its snow-capped mountain ranges and is home to the Queen Elizabeth National Park, lakes Edward and George as well as the Kazinga channel, one of East Africa’s best locations to see wildlife.
The people and the region’s wealth need peace to thrive.
Bushenyi police station made a restricted area since Tuesday last week
Twenty nine people arrested from the king of wensly Mumbere’s palace in Kasese on Nov. 27, 2016 and brought to Bushenyi are still being held at Greater Bushenyi regional police cells.
The greater Bushenyi regional police spokesperson SP Martial Tumusiime declined to make any comment and referred us to the force’s national spokesperson AIG Andrew felix Kawesi.
According to a credible source who is a senior police officer at Bushenyi told www.mknewslink.com editor that some Mumbere’s royalists were badly injured and medical workers were called in to treat them from the cells.
The source added that among the arrested include four women. “Ours is to keep custody of these people but not to take them to court” the source said.
King Mumbere was remanded over murder charges by Jinja chief magistrate’s court to Kirinya government prison
Another greater Bushenyi senior intelligence officer who preferred not to be named told this news website that the purpose of bringing the Kasese suspects was to screen them to know who is who among the arrested.
“We wanted to know if you are a cook of king Mumbere, a visiting relative or a royal guard. I want to inform you that the exercise is over and we are waiting for the next course of action” senior intelligence officer told www.mknewslink.com news website Monday 05, 2016.
Since Tuesday Nov. 29, when these 29 royal guards were brought to Bushenyi police, security at the facility was intensified with a road block at the entrance of police to know who accesses the station.
The unfenced police station being surrounded by armed police officers with a thread as a temporally face covering around the police station.
Another source told this editor that the intensification of security at Bushenyi police station followed rumors that residents of Kasese[Bakonjo royal to Mumbere] wanted to come attack Bushenyi police station and rescue their colleagues.
Other royal guards are being held at Ntungamo, Ibanda, Fort portal, and Mbarara police stations
The leader of opposition in parliament and who is also woman MP for Kasese district on Saturday lamented that she was not aware of the whereabouts of the arrested people from her district.
“The 48 hours mandatory period have already elapsed but police doesnot want produce the arrested in court and we even don’t know places where they are being held. We have lawyers and would want to help them” Winnie Kiiza told NTV Saturday night.
SHALIF MULINDWA SHOT AT AFTER ATTEMPTING TO STEAL FROM BROTHER’S SHOP
Police in Kabale district are investigating circumstances under which
an 18 year old suspected thief was shot and injured last night.
The suspect Sharif Mulindwa a plumber is a resident of Jongoza village
Matare parish Karisizo sub county Rakai district. He was shot at in
the leg by Millennium Security Company guard Wycliffe Tukamuhabwa
after finding him in Frank and Sons plumbing contractors and suppliers
shop near Kings Hotel in Kabale Municipality.
It’s alleged that last night in Kigongi cell, the owner of the shop
Frank Experito closed the shop in the evening and went home. He was
later called for work at around 10:45pm and he decided to pick his
equipment and only to find his shop open.
He called the security guard, and the suspect who is his young brother
tried to take off and he was shot at in the leg.
The Kigezi region police Spokesperson Elly Maate says that police was
notified and took the suspect at Kabale regional referral hospital
where he is nursing injuries and being monitored by police.
Maate is however calling on business community not to trust relatives
in their businesses saying that most thefts relatives connive with
thieves.
However Mulindwa admits that he was found in his brother’s shop but
denies intention to steal. He says that he was keeping his bicycle.
Police in Rukungiri is holding Mugabe Silverino and hunting for Baguma
Henry residents of Rugando, karerena cell, Nyabitete parish, Bugangari
Sub County on allegations of murdering their in-law Mr. Mugarura Edson
of the same area. Also in custody is Tukamushaba Patience wife to the
deceased.
Twinamastiko Julius the officer in charge of criminal investigations
and intelligence at Rukungiri police station said the suspects are believed
to have killed Mugarura on 1st December 2016.
He says Mugarura went to his in laws home to bring back his wife
Tukashaba Patience who he had separated with weeks before his death.
“The two patience Tukamushaba and Mugarura Edson have five children
they have been living together for the last six years, but, they had a
domestic quarrel and the wife decided to go home leaving behind the
five children, so when Mugarura went to bring her back, it is said
they fought in the trading center and brothers of Tukamushaba
intervened beating Mugarura to death” said Julius.
Julius says that the murder was due to domestic violence caused by
alcoholism in their family.
“in her statement Tukamushabe says the husband was found of drinking
too much and beating her, she decided to separate, he came to bring
back home he was drank and he abused the in-laws who beat him up
unfortunately he died”.
Julius says the case file number CRB2545/51/2016 has been opened and
forwarded to the directorate of public prosecution for guidance ans
murder charges have been preferred against the suspects.
The minister of justice and constitutional affairs Maj. Gen. Kahinda Ofafiire has Wednesday morning Dec. 07, 2016 revealed on phone that he has not bribed Mitooma district councilors with 2million Uganda shillings each to censure the district chairman Benon Karyaija.
Credible sources told www.mknewslink.com editor that each councilor so far has pocketed 2 million Uganda shillings to have the deal executed.
“Journalist please tell those people who are saying so that they are stupid and should let me do my both private and government work” He said
“Did you sight me anywhere in the Rukukuru saga where chairman Karyaija was removed from office, vehicle parked at police because he had refused to have court built near the district headquarters?” Kahinda asked.
Karyaija is an arch enemy of Gen. Otafiire since 2010 when Otafiire did not wanted Mitooma district to be curved out of Bushenyi district. What worsened the conflict was Karyaija to campaign for MP Donozio Kahonda who defeated Kahinda in Ruhinda constituency 2016 parliamentary elections.
On oct. 4, 2016, 18 councilors out of 26 raised the required signatures to censure the district chairman. A petition was sent to the minister of local government Col. Tom Butiime.
Immediately, a tribunal composed of five members was put in place headed by Justice Matovu.
On Dec. 02, 2016, Justice Matovu together with tribunal members sat at Mitooma but Karyaija did not have a lawyer but councilors were represented by Owen Murangira and company advocates.
Justice Matovu after finding out that Karyaija did not have a lawyer, he postponed the hearing of Dec. 12, 2016 at Lake view Hotel in Mbarara. The judge warned Karyaija that if he doesnot provide a lawyer on the above date then he will decide the case there and then.
The allegations raised by councilors include corruption, abuse of office among others.
Maj. Gen. Otafiire also denied having influenced the chief justice Bart Katureebe to appoint a judge who is able to make a decision in favour of minister Kahinda because both chief justice and justice Matovu are under Gen. Kahinda’s ministry.
WHAT NEXT FOR CHAIRMAN BENON KARYAIJA
In case the tribunal rules that Chairman Karyaija committed the offences then he ceases to be the district chairman of Mitooma and a new chairman is elected but Karyaija is also eligible to contest again but can even go to court to challenge the decision of tribunal.
If the allegations are dismissed then Karyaija continues to be the Mitooma district chairman.
Following the hiked revenue and other taxes slapped on the business
men and landlords in the Ntungamo municipality by the Uganda Revenue
Authority (URA), the business community in Ntungamo sat and formed an
Association that will speak on their behalf with the town clerk and
URA officials to solve that problem instead of staging a demonstration
in town.
Mucunguzi William (a coffee dealer, Drug shop owner and landlord) was
elected as Chairman of the Municipal Business and landlord Community
and Alexander Ssajja (of SAP Gen.Hard ware) was chosen as his Deputy.
Mucunguzi polled 75 votes while Ssajja Alexander got 51 votes and
Henry Tumwebaze garnered 46 votes. Sajja was later elected un opposed
as Vice Chairman after conceding the defeat!
Christopher Orimwesiga (a shop owner and Teacher at Standard College
Ntungamo) was elected as General Secretary as Naome Mirembe-Kihanda
(of Kihannda Super market) was elected Treasurer.
Orimwesiga garnered 73 votes beating Baguma Abel who got only 37 votes.
Nicholas Tumutoreine (a Businessman and also Deputy Headmaster Ruhaama
S.S.S.) who presided over the polls told journalists that the
elections were free and fair.
Mucunguzi William replaced Matayo Tumwiine whom they accused of not
delivering much during his term of office.
Matayo failed to contest again after sensing that a camp of MP Gerald
Karuhanga (Ntungamo Municipality) was plotting to make him lose badly
since he is the father in law to Yona Musinguzi who lost badly to
Hon.Gerald in the last parliamentary polls.
The MP Gerald guys had planned to revenge by making Matayo Tumwine
lose because that he also refused to support his nephew Hon.Karuhanga.
Mucunguzi thanked those who supported and voted him as Chairman and
promised that he’s going to work tiressly and ensure that his traders
are treated well by not taxing them highly by the municipal council
and the URA officials, he also pledged to have dialogues with the
stake holders when tax accessing worsens against his business
community and landlords
After generally peaceful polls yesterday, 7 December, Ghanaians now await the results of the presidential and parliamentary elections. Indicative results should be out in a few hours. The National Collation Center (National Tally Center) is currently on a low level of activity as I write this (which is fairly understandable – it is just 6:00am in Accra).
While yesterday was generally calm and organised, a few incidents were registered:
Cases of counterfeiting EC poll agents’ accreditation cards by ruling NDC party agents;
Illegal possession of fire ammunition within confines of a polling station by (NPP) opposition party agents in Ashanti region;
Delay of arrival of materials in Jaman North Constituency, Brong Ahafo region – which almost led to the cancellation of the polls in that constituency; and
Attempts by youth groups to snatch ballot boxes in Suntreso, Ashanti region.
Despite the pre-election tensions and anxieties, security agencies acted in a coordinated manner to ensure a sense of security during the polls – especially in Brong Ahafo, Ashanti and Nothern regions, which were regarded as key election flash points.
The media has for the first time in Ghana’s history of elections been allowed to do live coverage of the results as they come in at the National Collation Center in Accra. Media houses across the country are also airing provisional results as announced at different polling stations and constituency collation centers.
Ghana EC has revealed its intentions to collaborate with other actors that are engaged in Parallel Vote Tabulation.
Ghanaians now wait with bated breath to see how this very hotly contested election (between incumbent president/NDC, John Dramani Mahama and opposition/NPP Nana Akufo Ado) turns out.
IN KABALE—-
As Uganda joins the world to celebrate anti-corruption day to,
Anti-corruption players in Kabale district want government to
strengthen and re-equip anti-corruption organs to enable them
effectively fight corruption.
The Locals say anti-corruption organs like the police, the
Inspectorate of Government and courts of law are weak and underfunded.
The Maziba sub county district councilor Ubald Laborday says that
though such organs act as whistle blowers, there is inefficiencies
especially in prosecuting corrupt offenders due to little finances. He
also wants government to ensure that all convicted officials pay back
the money they have swindled.
Joanita Bakeinaga a worker at Mpamabara complex internet café blames
the judiciary for only prosecuting junior officers instead of senior
officers.
Kabale district chief Administrative officer Abert Matsiko
Mutungwire says that government has set all avenues to avert
corruption. He says that the avenues include presentation of
accountabilities, client charter, public accounts committee to
investigate corrupt officials, corrupt officers face disciplinary
action though District service commission.
Anti-corruption Day will be celebrated under the theme is “United
against corruption for development, peace and security”. The
Anti-corruption week runs from December 2nd-9th.
Rev. Dr. Florence Muranga taking elders through the factory
The executive director of Presidential Initiative on Banana Industry Development [PIBID] Rev. Dr. Florence Muranga yesterday evening Dec. 10, 2016 told Bushenyi NRM party elders that the a long awaited banana factory will start full scale production in Jan. 217.
She noted that the ministry of finance planning and economic development has promised to release the money to complete the little works that are remaining.
The first ever and largest banana factory in African is situated in Nyaruzinga next Valley College and Valley University in Bushenyi Town. The factory will turn fresh bananas into floor and be sold locally and in the internationally.
Elders looking at factory process of making cakes, biscuits, porridge and bread from bananas
During the tour of the factory by NRM elders lead by counsel Yason Mwebesa, Rev. Muranga showed them biscuits, cakes and even tested porridge made out bananas as the factory is on a testing phase.
The elders totaling to 30 were assured by Rev. Muranga that they will give the first priority to employ qualified children from within greater Bushenyi.
“I will give the first employment priority to children from this area but your children must be committed to work. I don’t want lazy workers” Muranga told the elders.
Elders receiving products of PIBID at the end of the visit
Mr. Martin Jingo coordinator production and field operation at PIBID told the elders that bananas will be supplied through Banana cooperatives.
“We shall help to form 20 banana cooperatives in the five districts of greater Bushenyi. Each district will have four cooperatives; Bushenyi, Sheema, Buhweju, Mitooma and Rubirizi” he revealed.
He noted that Shuuku banana cooperative society which they began with is already shinning. The official from the society told elders that beginning next year they will be harvesting 150 bananas from their society owned plantation and each member has a plantation that will still deliver bananas to the society and then to PIBID factory.
Group photo graph of elders and staff of PIBID
Counsel Yason Mwebesa noted that he initiated the visit together with is executive to learn more about the factory and will start to spread the gospel of the good works that are at PIBID.
PIBID management booked a radio program on Bushenyi FM for elders and technical staff to disseminate information and change the mindset of the residents and bad perception about the project by Bushenyi residents.
Counsel Yason Mwebesa chairman of elders and PIBID ED Rev. Dr. Muranga posing for a photo
Special investigations unit of police on Friday Dec. 09, 2016 arrested the mighty chief finance officer for Bushenyi district Abias Asiimwe for stealing 48 million shillings meant for Global Alliance for vaccines to pay services sponsored by the organization.
Abias Asiimwe according to sources was arrested following a tip off by his boss chief administrative officer Mr Elias Byamungu.
The loss of the money was realized after the cashier who was keeping it Cececllia was unable to release cash to staff who worked in the GAVI exercise.
Sources from the district confirmed to www.mknewslink.com editor that the money was removed from the cashier by Abias Asiimwe and put it into his businesses it has been the case before.
The cashier Cecelia was arrested by Bushenyi police on Thursday last week and since then she is still being held at Bushenyi police up today Monday Dec.12, 2016.
Because the money belonged to the health department, state house health monitoring unit formerly headed by Dr. Diana Atwiine now PS ministry of health took up the matter.
According to credible sources state house monitoring unit initiated the arrest and handed him over to SIU kireka.
Sources add that the two CFO Asiimwe and Cashier Cecelia will be taken to anti-corruption court in Kampala to answer charges of corruption.
Staff Jubilations at Bushenyi district were evident as news trickled in that Abias CFO had been arrested. Many staff who never wanted to be named told www.mknewslink.com editor over the weekend that CFO Abias Asiimwe had become a menace because they would make they genuine claims and then he eats their money.
Mitooma district speaker Enos Kyarisiima pinning Karyaija before the tribunal at Lake view last evening
A three man tribunal set up by the minister of local government Col.Tom Butiime to investigate five allegations raised by mitooma district councilors with an aim of censuring their chairman Benon Karyaija kicked off yesterday at Lake View Hotel in Mbarara.
The tribunal led by Justice David Matovu with other two members Cherles Katarikawe a former commissioner in the ministry of local government and John Musende heard from four witnesses among whom the district speaker Enos Kyarisiima and chief petitioner Godwin Muzooro district councilor Mutara, Mitooma CAO Ogwanga Benard and Asiimwe Didas Mwesigwa district councilor Mitooma.
Justice David Matovu [center] tribunal Chairman, Right Katarikawe charles and left John MasedeThe mitooma CAO Ogwanga told the tribunal that the driver the district chairman uses was not recruited by Mitooma district service commission. “When I was two weeks old in office, one District councilor for Kabira one Mucunguzi came to my office twice and told me that the district chairman Benon Karyaija is using a driver who is not a staff of the district” he told the tribunal.
“I told him to put it into writing but he couldnot” he added.
During district speaker’s time to give evidence, the issue came to light. Justice Matovu asked him [Kyarisiima] whether he knew the fake driver , Kyarisiima pointed at David Orikiriza in the audience and told the tribunal that its was non other than him.
Justice Matovu ordered Orikiriza David out of the tribunal and promised to call him as a witness to tell the tribunal how he got the job and how many times he has caused accidents to the district district chairman’s vehicle.
Mitooma CAO Benard Ogwanga after revealing that chairman Karyaija’s driver was not recruited by the district service commission and is not on mitooma district local government payroll.
Speaker Kyarisiima told the tribunal that when Daudi Orikiriza is not driving the Chairman Karyaija drives himself whether weekend or working hours.
According to rules that govern local governments and public service a government official is not supposed to drive himself/herself in a government car.
The driver that drives a government car must be a government worker, interviewed by the district service commission for districts or public service commission for ministries.
Kyarisiima who has been a district councilor since 1998, presented to the tribunal 31 letters of evidence where chairman Karyaija erred. The letters of evidence date back in 2012 to 2016.
When Mitooma was granted a district status on july 1, 2010, Karyaija became acting chairman later substantive district chairman.
WARS WITH CAO AND OTHER TECHNICAL STAFF
Karyaija started an open war with the CAO Ms Alice Asiimwe Rushure and the fight spread to staff. For that matter therefore all the letters that staff wrote against Karyaija on his conduct driving the official car at night and drunk, how much money was spent in total to service the district chairman’s can within five years whereas that of the CAO which was bought on the same day was very okay.
WHO ARE THE LAWYERS IN THIS CASE
Karyaijaja is represented by senior lawyer Alexander Kibandama born in Bitereko sub-county but practicing in Kampala. He laboured throughout the day to challenge the evidence presented by the four witnesses. The person who was too hard to cross-examine was speaker Kyarisiima. Counsel Kibandama could ask him question[Kyarisiima] and he would also ask Kibandama in turn before an answer is secured. Kyarisiima would be asked to read sections in rules of procedure books and refuse and instead tell counsel Kibandama to read it. The tribunal was made to tell Kyarisiima to follow rules of court and tribunal.
WHO REPRESENTS PETITIONERS
The petitioners [ 16 councilors] are represented by a government lawyer Nashiero Mwanda Robert Ekirita—leader counsel and is assisted by Edgar Kakuru of Owen Murangira and company advocates.
The case continues today with more witnesses from councilors, principal personnel officer, principal internal Auditor all from mitooma district among others
Mitooma residents full parked in the tribunal hall to witness the proceedings.
![Paul Kahiigi[standing] Umar Muhanguzi and others at the meeting.](http://mknewslink.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/DSC04123.jpg)
![Deputy Bushenyi-Ishaka municipality deputy mayor Lawrence Baryaruha[standing] Bushenyi DPC Katwesiime and others at the diologue](http://mknewslink.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/DSC04127.jpg)
![sentaro-byamugishs-kabale-mayor [swearing in]who engineered the arrest of accountant Asiimwe](http://mknewslink.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/sentaro-byamugishs-Kabale-mayor.jpg)
![Justice David Matovu [center] tribunal Chairman, Right Katarikawe charles and left John Masede](http://mknewslink.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/IMG_4284.jpg)
