Kasese violence leave 64 orphan 14 women widowed stranded as Elders in Buhuhira chase GISO

By Moris Mumbere

e-society

Kasese violence leave 64 orphan 14 women widowed stranded as Elders in Buhuhira chase GISO

Kasese: following the recent clashes in Kasese, research has indicated that over 65 orphans and 14 widowers are stranded on what next since of the men in homes have been bread winners to their families.

The future of 65 children, five of them sickle cell sufferers, remains gloomy after their fathers died in bloody post-election clashes in Kasese district.

The clashes in Hima Town Council of Kitswamba Sub County and Kasenyi village, Buhuhira Sub County, both in Busongora North Constituency, also 14 widowed women, some of them aged below 30 years.

The four men killed in the Kasenyi shooting were Nason Bwambale, 37, who is survived by two widows and five children, Jocknus Musalira, 27, survived by one widow and 3 children and James Wayakwa, 34, father of 3 children survived by one widow.

Also killed was 40-year-old Saleri kake, who survived by one widow and 9 children.

Two other men one them identified as Uziah Mumbere Nyamingi, 56 years and survived by 3 wives and 21 children, died in a night attack on a joint patrol of UPDF and Police in Kikonzo Ward, Hima Town Council on the night of March 9.

Others are Geoffrey Kasimba a police man who was killed at kidodo police post he survived by one wife and six children, Muhindo Donat he survived by one wife and one child, Kule Muzamiru a thirteen year old boy who was short three times by soldiers at the tally Centre on 19^th during the delay to declare the winners in the recent parliamentary and presidential candidates, and Yofesi Mogoye a royal guard who survived with 13 children and three wives, and Muhabira Joseph 28years who survived with three children and one wife.

Another Twenty-three year-old Gideon Bwambale was injured and his wife and two children are also stranded.

While interfacing with the Inter religious Committee at the trading centre in Buhuhira kasenyi village, the bereaved families also asked the government to compensate them

However another battle starts as Elders in buhuhira have passed a decision to chasing the Giso in the village, allowing other relatives of the Giso to come back in the village since most of them are still displaced after residents reacted negatively on them destroying all houses, plantations belong to them after killings that happened in Buhuhira Sub County during post election violence that left wounds on hearts of many residents in kasese.

In  meeting of reconciliation organized by the inter religious council where most families that lost relatives accused the Giso of fueling police to attack residents which forced most of the residents to responded by fighting each other which caused the shooting of four people in the area

“we are ready to for give everyone related to the Giso Mr. mulhumbira James but him who brought police and he pointed to that that Kill that one and that one, never cant it happen” father to salerikake said.

The inter religious council had several times managed to bring the families to gather but families that lost its people are not ready to share the some road with the person who order the killing yet most of those killed where not connected to the clashes that started in Hima after elections.

GanatiyaWayakwa, brother to the late James Wayakwa, told monitor reporter that his young brother was among the four men gunned down at Kasenyi trading centre, leaving three who were depending on their mother.

Sajoni Masereka also said his brother; Saleri had left behind five children who suffer from sickle cells, a disease that is too costly for the widow to handle.

“We are hit hard because every month, our brother has been spending Shs500,000 shillings on treating each of the children, Masereka said. He urged the Committee to pray and advocate for support for the families.

Miriam Nyalyahinda, 20, said with her late husband, they had planned to build a house, she is currently depending on a small garden given to her by the mother in law but still wondering how she was going to move on alone.

A mother of three, the youngest being 3 years, Lyahinda said her husband met his death when he ran to Kasenyi trading centre from home when gunfire started.

The bereaved families blamed the clashes on personal grudges between the Kyabarungira Sub county Gombolola Internal Security Officer (GISO), James Mulhumbira and some of the residents.

“James Mulhumbira used his office to victimize us,” they said, accusing him of being the one who pointed a finger at those who were shot dead in Kasenyi.

But several speakers called for reconciliation between them and Mulhumbira’s family adding they were not ready to forgive those who are linked to the deaths of their dear ones provided the culprits are willing to seek pardon.

Elders also called for the removal of security forces from the area saying,” there is no rebel here but personal conflicts.”

The Police officer in charge of Kasenyi police post, Oleke, the area Community liaison Officer, Joseph Otiyo and the their UPDF counterpart, Second Lt SirajNassur Ijaga, apologized for the sad events.

The officer urged the residents to use legal procedures of settling disputes.

The attackers injured a Commissioner of Police, Jacob Opolot and a Special Police Constable (SPC) Joel Mbusa and even tried to disarm the SPC of his AK 47 assault rifle, forcing the security forces to fire in the air to disperse the group but in vain.

“No rebel has killed our people but government security personnel’s” according to the women Member of Parliament kiiza Winfred

ENDS

Kasese Journalist Assaulted In Bundibugyo By Ministers of Obudhingiya Kingdom Spokesperson.

By Moris Mumbere,

e- society
Kasese Journalist Assaulted In Bundibugyo By Ministers of Obudhingiya Kingdom Spokesperson.

Bundibugyo: A journalist attached to Bukedde television has been assaulted as he approached the spokesperson of the obundigya kingdom official for information on conditions that are taking place in the areas.

The incident happened yesterday at community fellowship belonging to Pastor kyomuhendo in  bubukwanga village.

The journalist who was assaulted by Rev. Pastor kyomuhendo Geoffrey the spokes person of obundigya kingdom and musinguzi John the youth minister in the same kingdom was identified as Kule Robert a correspondent based in Kasese and same parts of western Uganda.

Robert was trying to gather information from kingdom official but being a Mukonzo they suspected him to be gathering what concerns them which brought mixed feelings of the two sides and decided to hit him until police came and rescued him at the scene of crime in Bubukwanga.

Speaking to the district police commander Tukahebwa Martin confirmed the incident and revealed to us that the suspects were arrested but later the spokesperson being popular was released on bond while the youth minister is till detained until tried in courts of law.

“The two are being charged of assault and simple robbery as they took his ATM card, camera and some money that he had” DPC Martin said on phone in an interview.

Martin further added that the assaulted journalist was given security until to take him half way from bundibugyo and he will be treated as he get back to his home.

Efforts to hear from Robert kule failed as we tried his phone repeatedly but it couldn’t connect to get comments.

this comes after the two kings had signed a peace agreement

End.

Bundibugyo Teachers Shun Schools, Six Remain Closed

By Moris Mumbere,

e-SOCIETY

Bundibugyo Teachers Shun Schools, Six Remain Closed

Bundibugyo: Six schools in Bundibugyo district have remained closed
after teachers and pupils failed to return to school and resume to
normal studies.

A month ago, tribal clashes broke out in Bundibugyo district leavin
dozens killed, scores displaced and some caged in prison.

Our reporter and the Red Cross Manger Bundibugyo Mr. Ndyanabo Timothy
were shocked on Monday when they visited Kabuuga primary school and
found the school closed.

Red Cross Manger had gone to the school to give out some sports items
for children but was welcomed by the police that was guarding the
school.

According to Pastor Bamwitirebye Peter the District Education Officer
Bundibugyo, six primary schools include Butukuru primary,
Bundikeki,Kirumya Muslim school, Bundibuturo and Kabuuga Primary
school among others  in Kirumya sub county Bwamba county.

He said the schools have remained closed after the children took
refugee in fear of the recent clashes that left many people killed.

Bamwitirebye explains that when the clashes broke out most parents
went to the displaced camps with their children.

He says the teachers especially the Bakonzo who were teaching in Bamba
communities have not resumed for duties and are demanding for
transfers.

DEO reveals that his office is still looking into it since they cannot
transfer a government worker supposed to work in any community in the
country.

Mr. Mucunguzi Geoffrey RDC Bundibugyo who heads the security says they
are going to launch a campaign appealing all the people and teachers
still in camps to return home and embark on normal business because
calm has returned in the district.

End.

Elders in Buhuhira have chased the Giso whom the suspect to have caused the death of their four old men in the area following the post election violence which resulted into killings.

By Moris Mumbere

e- society 

Elders in Buhuhira have chased the Giso whom the suspect to have caused the death of their four old men in the area following the post election violence which resulted into killings.

Elders who had gathered in the Trading centre meeting the inter religious council and the elders forum from different denominations in Uganda travelled to the area to plan on how the family that lost relatives can reconcile with Mulhumbira family which the residents claim to have been the root cause of the killings. 

Two kings sign a royal communique agreement of peace in Rwenzori region.

By Moris Mumbere,
E- Society

Two kings sign a royal communique agreement of peace in Rwenzori region.

Kabarole: The two kings have signed a joint royal communiqué touching the memorandum of protocol between and amongst the Obisinga Bwa Rwenzururu and his delegation of the one side and the Obundigya Bwa Bamba and his delegation and other part in the presence of the leaders from the government team and its delegation to re-establish peace, security and stability in the region.

Rwenzururu cultural leader Omusinga Charles Wesley Mumbere and Lt.Col.Martin  Kamya Omudingiya wa Bwamba appended their signatures on the Royal Communiqué at Mountain of the Moon Hotel in Fort Portal on Thursday in the presence of justice James Ogola the Inter- Religious council members and Vice chairman NRM for Eastern Uganda Miko Mukula.

Basing on the fact that the Rwenzori region has in the recent past experienced a wave of tragic, traumatizing  and regrettable events and development characterized by insecurity and instability leading to the loss of lives and destruction of property of citizens of the republic of Uganda.

In the royal communiqué observed that the two kingdoms had a respective role and influence of both the Obusinga and obudigya in providing positive leadership and guidance to their subjects and people within the Rwenzori region specifically Uganda in general.

The royal communiqué tasked the two kingdoms to be Mindful of the strategic need and resolve by all the concerned stakeholders spare headed by the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu and the Obundigya Bwa Bamba under auspices of government of Uganda to permanently resolve the a above mentioned   simmerian potential conflict within the region through a thorough consultative process embodying transparency and mutual respect.

In the royal communiqué the kings agreed on four points and signed to insure that peace is prevailed among the four points include:

1.      To work tireless and endless towards re-establishing peace, security and stability in the region through promoting deliberate and strategic conflict resolution mechanisms, including early warning signals so as to prevent possibility of reoccurrence of situations that may again threaten peace and security in the region.

It has consequently been agreed and resolved that a permanent working committee comprising relevant stakeholders from the cultural institutions, government from the republic of Uganda and eminent citizens of Uganda be setup for the purposes of coordinating these efforts.

A road map beginning with the calling for cessation of hostilities to calling of consultative and coordination meetings of the two cultural institutions will be designed and agreed upon and implemented to its logical conclusion.

2.      To promote inter cultural institutional dialogue and activities as a confidence building mechanism between and amongst the above mentioned cultural institutions within the region and for the government of the republic of Uganda to continue proactively  engaging the said cultural institutions through process geared towards resolving and addressing their specific concerns and need of the institutions in accodence with article 246 of the constitution of the republic of Uganda.

 It has been commonly agreed and resolved that the two principles i.e the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu and the Obundigya Bwa Bamba will hold join mobilization rallies in their respective territories of jurisdiction with the purposeful message of peace, stability, and harmonious co-existence. Government of the republic Uganda will be represented at these joint mobilizations at the highest level of His excellence the president of Uganda as the fountain of honor.

3.      To work together as a cultural institutions with stake holders in the region to draw the clear dichotomy between national and local politics and the cultural institutions and to specifically curtail their respective subjects and people who are engaged in elective politics from evoking the cultural institution and to lies with government of the republic of Uganda to “immunize” the cultural institution from the body politics.

4.      To promote the principles of equity, justice and specifically respect for the rule and institution of law within the region and to particularly discourage impunity and such similar acts involving the people and subjects of the respective cultural institution of extra-judicial activities.

After reading through the four points the two kings signed the communique accepting to follow the rules so that peace can be prevailed in the region.

The mediator Capt. Micheal Mukula asked ever king to make a remark to the press where Omusinga Mumbere Charles hailed the organizers for bring them together to share peaceful words so that development can be achieved in the region.

“Whenever we think of developing in my district such instability occur which has limited us from developing” omusinga said.

He asked everyone to support them so that peace and stability can be prevailed.

The Omundigya Martin kamya in his simple remark said coming together is the beginning, staying together is progress and remaining together is development.

The justice Jame Ogola hailed the two kings describing them as one family which started the strangle in the early 1950’s 60’s and 70’s with solders together  fighting for peace but their minds now seem to have diverted to get other things which is bad.

James said as elders the documents signed act as depository which will be kept for years by the inter religious council which is moving forward towards achieving peace in the region.

End. 

Kabarole Chair Instructs Sub Counties To Budget For Local Courts

By Moris Mumbere

e-society 

Kabarole Chair Instructs Sub Counties To Budget For Local Courts

The district chairman Kabarole Mr.Rwabuhinga Richard has ordered the sub county local governments to prioritize local courts and incorporate their activities in their budgets for justice to prevail.

He explains that when the sub county chiefs and LC3 chairpersons include in their budget the local courts, it will enable them do their work effectively since they will be facilitated.

The chairman was speaking at the closer of the one week training for the sub county local courts executives at the district board room Kitumba on Friday.

Mr.Rwabuhinga, who advised the participants to maintain a high moral of integrity in ensuring judgment, is optimistic that the skills and knowledge acquired from the training their communication attitude in passing judgment.

The chairman appealed to the International Law Institute the organizers of the training through the Ministry of Local government to translate the justice and law  books given to these local council courts executives and community members into local languages for easy understanding of the information.

David Kisembo Ssalongo of South Division Fort Portal municipality asked the district to intervene and find means of talking to the police from being interfering with the local council courts settling cases illegally if justice is to prevail.

But Mr.Kyalimpa Paul chairperson Ruteete sub county local courts observed that their work was hampered by the LC3 chairpersons who have conflict of interest in some cases thus favoring some suspects.

The sub county local courts are meant to handle simple cases after being referred from the LC1&11 to over flooding magistrate courts with cases.

End.

Over 600 Kasese fish farmers get 75,000 fish lings

By Moris Mumbere

e-society
600 Kasese fish farmers get 75,000 fish lings 

Fish farmers in Kasese district smiled their way home on Wednesday after Government gave them 75,500 fishlings worth unspecified millions of shillings.
The fishlings, which included 31,000 tilapia and 45,000 cat fish, were delivered and issued out Wednesday under one of the Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) for Busongora North, Maj Barnabus Mughongo Bwambale
”We have also given them three tonnes (3,000kgs) of start-up multi-nutritional feeds for their fish ponds,” Maj Mughongo said while over-seeing the distribution at the Kasese district headquarters general stores.

The beneficiary organisations include the Rwenzururu Queen Mother Christine Mukirania's Nya Mukama Foundation for Social and Community Development, which one 2,000 fish capacity pond at Kibenge, Nyakabingo 3 Parish, off the Kasese-Kilembe road.
Managed by the Queen Mother’s granddaughter, Christine Kibanzanga, the Rwenzururu king Charles Mumbere’s daughter, the Nya Mukama Foundation for Social and Community Development, helps orphans in the kingdom.
Speaking to New Vision on getting the inputs, Christine Kibanzanga, hailed government for supporting the Queen Mother’s imitative to support the community.
“The Foundation looks after 600 orphans but our financial support capacity is still low so we think this government input will take us a step higher,” Christine Kibanzanga said.
The fish was also given Mahango Seed Secondary, located in the mountainous areas of Rwenzori.
Doreen Masika, a teacher at the school, says fish farming in her school is aimed at not only boosting the nutrition of the students and teachers but also to teach the learners that without lakes fish cannot be produced.
“Besides farming fish in the school for learning purposes, we also want to show people that living high in the mountains cannot prevent us from engaging in fish farming which people only associate lakes,” Masika said.
For 40-year-old Nevelesi Masika Muswa, a mother of 12 children and member of Isule Fish Farmers Group, OWC promises to be the answer to the chronic poverty that has constantly prevented her from fully supporting her school-going children.
Isule is one of the parishes in Maliba Subcounty that border the Rwenzori Mountains National Park.
“I joined my association   to gain knowledge that can help me improve my family incomes,” she said.
The group leader, Nehemiah Magoma Baluku, told New Vision that engaging in fish farming in Isule parish, will reduce the wildlife poaching temptations on the Park and thus save the environment.
Like Magoma, fish farming by Bihanda Fish Farmers Cooperative in Nyakiyumbu Subcounty, Bukonzo West constituency, will reduce the fishing pressure on Lake Edward, according to the group leader, Franco Kabwangana.
Kabwangana credited area MP and Defence minister, Dr Chrispus Kiyonga, for having encouraged the group to take up pond fish farming.
The group has 65 ponds along Kayanzi fish landing village on the shores of Lake Edward.
“One of our challenges, however, is that sometimes crocodiles from the lake jump into our ponds and eat our fish,” he says, explaining that the group plans to fence the ponds off.

OWC (operation wealth creation) is a government poverty-reduction programme that supports agriculture, animal husbandry, micro-finance savings and credit cooperative societies (SACCOs) and farmer institutional capacity building.
During his recent presidential campaigns, President Yoweri Museveni said his government would increase the budget for poverty reduction.

ENDS

Water Ministry To Control Soil Erosion On River Mpanga

by MORIS MUMBERE
e-society 

Water Ministry To Control Soil Erosion On River Mpanga

Kabarole: The Ministry of water and environment with funding from the Joint
Partnership Fund (JPF) and DANIDA has embarked on a management plan to
reafforestate a 670 Km within the catchment of river Mpanga and
control soil erosion on the slopes of Mt Rwenzori.

Jackson Kitamirike team leader from the ministry of water and
environment says that the Uganda water resources management plan was
sub divided into four zones of upper Nile, Kyoga, Victoria and Albert
water management zones.

The plan covers the districts of Kabarole, Kamwenge, Ibanda, Kirihura
and Kyenjojo that fall under the Lake Albert water management zone.
He said they are using the social component to conserve the water
resources first by sensitizing the community to change their mind set
towards environment conservation.

Kitamirike said while launching the plan in Karangura Sub County
Kabarole district on Tuesday.

The ministry of water and environment has already put Grass bands and
stone bands along the slopes of Mt Rwenzori on top of carrying out
galley terming and contouring to control soil erosion in Karangura sub
county.

Kitamirike says this has benefited the community in skills development
and also improved farm output in the past 8 months as all the soil
nutrients are contained especially during the rainy season.

Mrs Baitwa Francis a resident of Karangura says in the past before the
management plan was introduced; soil erosion would wash away most of
her plants and render most roads impassable. She however says that
more effort is needed especially in galley terming and contouring.

Florence Kadoma the district secretary for production and natural
resources said that the district in collaboration with the ministry of
water and environment has started establishing tree nursery beds in
villages.

End.

No war in Rwenzori but political misunderstanding says Mike Mukula,

By MORIS MUMBERE,

KASESE: There’s no war in Rwenzori but there’s need to investigate what is happening since Bakonzo, basongora, banyabindi and bamba have been closely living together for many years but no war was reported in the entire Rwenzori.

Speaking to thousands of people who had gathered at Rwenzori square to pray for peace “ under the theme “efforts on peace and reconciliation in Rwenzori region” organised by the inter religious council following killings that happened in the entire Rwenzori region which has left more than 40 people dead and 52 orphans in kasese district Capt. Micheal Mukula narrated that the problem has been investigated that the political leaders have destroyed the peace that was in the district by separating people who had solid unity that has kept development in the district for years.

“The problem needs a political solution not guns because the bakonzo, Basongora and Bamba are closely related who even fought to liberate from the colonialist and the Batoro to get Semuliki and Rwenzori district during Amini’s regime why fight now” mukala asked.

Mukula narrated that the region is know a battle field where by before independence the there was Rwenzururu rebellion, National resistance army (NRA), national army for the liberation of Uganda (Nalu), Allied democratic forces (ADF) such wars had left the area unstable but currently the area had regained peace and all tribes were working together without violence.

He added that fighting stated recently when political leaders started involving people in land through poor distribution and marginalization that sparked down wars in the Rwenzori and minority people were given protection leaving owners of the distributed land without any to benefit them.

“Why is it happening now after distributing badly land in the district why was the fight not their” he asked.

He appealed to Abura Deo the Rwenzori east RPC to immediately withdraw the flying squad and use dialogues since there’s need to sit as Ugandans and find ways on how it can be solved but not pointing at each other as it has been happening and use of Guns to settle conflicts.

The preacher who turned the crowed with words of peace Retired Pr. Nassanel Walemba reading from Matthew 5:8,9 which says blessed are the peace makers because they shall be called the sons and daughters of God, blessed are those whose duties are aimed at peace for the lord shall call them his children.

Walemba narrated that the meaning of peace is much more from the peace that people talk about it more than seeing wars that people talk about but it’s all about caring for the needy, the hungry people those lacking houses to sleep, people suffering get to that then peace will be prevailed to maximum and one will be blessed.

Walemba added that people may think the situation only concerns those affected but this concerns every one basing on the fact that if one is a business man and people are running away he or she has no clients to sell product to since everyone is fleeing for his life.

“An eye for an eye will make every one blind” walemba quoted

If revenge becomes a talk of the day no one will survive.

The prayer was attended by all bishops from different denominations, the RDC, Mayor, division chairpersons, elected chairperson Five and members of parliament.

However early the Rwenzururu prime minister had asked Mukula to explain why matters of peace discussed are not under consideration yet big people talk about them, giving an example that when Mukula came on Saturday peace issues were discussed but on Sunday six people were shoot at the palace as they tried to arrest someone from the palace. 

End.

By MORIS MUMBERE,

E-society 

No war in Rwenzori but political misunderstanding says Mike Mukula,

KASESE: There’s no war in Rwenzori but there’s need to investigate what is happening since Bakonzo, basongora, banyabindi and bamba have been closely living together for many years but no war was reported in the entire Rwenzori.

Speaking to thousands of people who had gathered at Rwenzori square to pray for peace “ under the theme “efforts on peace and reconciliation in Rwenzori region” organised by the inter religious council following killings that happened in the entire Rwenzori region which has left more than 40 people dead and 52 orphans in kasese district Capt. Micheal Mukula narrated that the problem has been investigated that the political leaders have destroyed the peace that was in the district by separating people who had solid unity that has kept development in the district for years.

“The problem needs a political solution not guns because the bakonzo, Basongora and Bamba are closely related who even fought to liberate from the colonialist and the Batoro to get Semuliki and Rwenzori district during Amini’s regime why fight now” mukala asked.

Mukula narrated that the region is know a battle field where by before independence the there was Rwenzururu rebellion, National resistance army (NRA), national army for the liberation of Uganda (Nalu), Allied democratic forces (ADF) such wars had left the area unstable but currently the area had regained peace and all tribes were working together without violence.

He added that fighting stated recently when political leaders started involving people in land through poor distribution and marginalization that sparked down wars in the Rwenzori and minority people were given protection leaving owners of the distributed land without any to benefit them. 

“Why is it happening now after distributing badly land in the district why was the fight not their” he asked.

He appealed to Abura Deo the Rwenzori east RPC to immediately withdraw the flying squad and use dialogues since there’s need to sit as Ugandans and find ways on how it can be solved but not pointing at each other as it has been happening and use of Guns to settle conflicts.

The preacher who turned the crowed with words of peace Retired Pr. Nassanel Walemba reading from Matthew 5:8,9 which says blessed are the peace makers because they shall be called the sons and daughters of God, blessed are those whose duties are aimed at peace for the lord shall call them his children.

Walemba narrated that the meaning of peace is much more from the peace that people talk about it more than seeing wars that people talk about but it’s all about caring for the needy, the hungry people those lacking houses to sleep, people suffering get to that then peace will be prevailed to maximum and one will be blessed.

Walemba added that people may think the situation only concerns those affected but this concerns every one basing on the fact that if one is a business man and people are running away he or she has no clients to sell product to since everyone is fleeing for his life.

“An eye for an eye will make every one blind” walemba quoted

If revenge becomes a talk of the day no one will survive.

The prayer was attended by all bishops from different denominations, the RDC, Mayor, division chairpersons, elected chairperson Five and members of parliament.

However early the Rwenzururu prime minister had asked Mukula to explain why matters of peace discussed are not under consideration yet big people talk about them, giving an example that when Mukula came on Saturday peace issues were discussed but on Sunday six people were shoot at the palace as they tried to arrest someone from the palace. 

End.