Fight HIV/AIDS with mercy, love, peace and pity – Kasese Deputy RDC

The Deputy Resident District Commissioner, Kasese, has challenged orgnisations dealing with HIV/AIDS to fight stigma, rejection and discrimination that is being inflicted on people living with the disease.

"HIV/AIDS should be fought with mercy, love and pity for the infected and affected persons," he said.

Isingoma was recently closing a two-day HIV/AIDS annual partnership forum organised by Kasese district and funded by the Ministry of Local Government in conjunction with the Uganda AIDS Commission.

The partnership forum took place at Virina Gardens in Kasese town and drew participants from local government, the civil society and the private sector.

Isingoma challenged the participants to strengthen partnership for service providers to address the scourge of HIV/AIDS.

The main facilitator from the Uganda AIDS Commission, who is also the District Health Officer, Kisoro, Dr Assay Ndizihiwe, reported that medical male circumcision reduces the risk of contracting HIV.

"Uncircumcised men are partly responsible for the increasing cases of cervical cancer among women.

According to the Kasese Distinct HIV/AIDS Focal Person, john Thawite, the HIV/AIDS prevalence in Kasese district stands at 11.2% from testing sites in the district.

Thawite said though Kasese belongs to the western region whose general prevalence is 6.9%, there is need for a district-specific sero-prevalence survey to ascertain the specifics of the HIV infections.

He said the forum was organised to strengthen partnership in the fight against the pandemic adding that the fight was the responsibility of every stakeholder regardless of region, race, sex, political or religious inclination.

Government injects some 18bn/= into primary education in Kasese

By John B. Thawite 2.10.2009

Kasese will get close to 900m/= for the Universal Primary Education in the 2009/2010 financial year, bringing the money injected into the sector close to Shs 17.9 billion since the introduction of UPE in 1997.

"This financial year the Government UPE capitation is 889,205,500= and we have already received 202 million for the 1^st quarter," the District Education Officer, Douglas Katemba said.

Douglas Katemba revealed this September 30^th, in a report to the primary education state minister, Kamanda Bataringaya.

The minister was chief guest at a one-day district education stakeholders' dialogue held at the Kasese catholic Social Services Hall in Kasese town.

The dialogue, which was also attended by officials from the ministries of Public Service and Local Government, was organised by the education department to address the achievements and challenges in the sector and to pave a way forward.

"Since the government introduced the school facilities grant for primary schools, over 7bn/= has been sent to the district," Katemba said, adding that the district had received shs182m from the grant.

This, he said, was in addition to another 750m/= to St Theresa Girls secondary school for the construction  of standard, update and fully equipped library and science laboratories and the numerous scholastic materials to various schools in the district.

He said there were 258 Universal Primary Education (UPE) Grant Aided primary schools with 152.974 pupils  26,318 of them boys and 7,8179 girls and 2,993 government-paid teachers.

Katemba further revealed that there were 162 private primary schools with 25,572 pupils, 18 Grant Aided secondary schools and 16 private secondary schools (34) secondary schools benefiting from Universal secondary Education (USE)

 

"There are also 34 secondary schools with 18,789 students, of whom 14,824 are under the Universal Secondary Education (USE)," he further told the more that 300 guests at the dialogue.

He also said there were 30 private Registered Secondary schools and 10 private licensed secondary schools with an enrolment of 5,694 students (3,192 males and 2,502 females).

 

He said tertiary institutions include Bwera Primary Teachers College offering Grade III certificate to primary school teachers.

Other tertiary institutions include   Katwe Technical Institute (152 students); Katwe Wildlife Training Institute which is the only institution which offers Diplomas has enrolment of 117 students.

Katemba hailed the various education development partners including  Save the Children,  UNICEF, Churches and Mosques Bishop Masereka Foundation, KALI, Irish Aid and Hima Cement Factory only to mention a few

 

But Katemba said the district needed 400 more teachers for the primary schools, more classrooms, latrines, desks, teachers' houses and post-primary education facilities for children with special needs.   

 

Rwenzururu queen discharged

By John B. Thawite, 

HER Royal Highness Nyabaghole Agnes has been discharged after delivering a Prince to Irema-Ngoma Charles Wesley Mumbere, the Rwenzururu cultural leader.

The Rwenzururu spokesperson, Godfrey Kabyanga, confirmed Saturday that the bouncing baby prince left Kampala International Hospital in the afternoon.

Government has footed all the hospital bills, which are worth several millions of shillings," Kabyanga said, declining to divulge the amount of money.

"The baby and the mother are o.k and throughout her labour up to now the Omusinga has kept by her side," Kabyanga said.

He said the prince, who weighed 4.1Kgs at birth and his parents would travel to Kasese and that the prince would be named after eight days in accordance with Bakonzo traditions.

"I am not yet sure when we are coming home because we still want the child and the mother to stabilise," Kabyanga said.

The birth of the prince is a blessing to the kingdom. While we are all anxiously waiting for government to recognise it on October 19^th, we also receive another gift of the prince," Kabyanga said.

Presiding at the South Rwenzori diocesan donors' conference August 30th, President Yoweri Museveni said he had agreed to recognise the Bakonzo and Bamba cultural institution, Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu.

"Mumbere has written to me proposing October 19 for confirmation and I have agreed," he added.

Museveni said he wanted to recognise the institution a long time ago, but he could not because of the disagreements between the supporters and the opponents of the institution in the Rwenzori region.

Meanwhile congratulatory messages continue to exchange hands on FM radios, public gatherings and on the internet.

"Your Majesty Omusinga and Her Royal Highness Nyabaghole, congratulations upon the delivery of the Prince. This is wonderful news to all of us. We have reason to celebrate," wrote London-based David Nguru.

Pastor Simon Bwambale Haggai (currently in the Philippines) says in a Lukonzo internet message that the Queen has started off well.

"May the Mountains of the Moon (Rwenzori Mountains" shower the prince, his mother and Omusinga Mumbere with all the blessings," he says.

Ibrahim Asuman Bisiika, a journalist, writes, "People. Let's praise the Lord. But please see attachment for my poetic creation on the issue. Asuman."

"This is a special moment for the Royal Family and the people of the Rwenzoris. Congratulations," says another message.

The Bamba-Bakonzo king will also to mark his 43rd anniversary since he took over the Rwenzururu Kingdom after the death of his farther, Isaya Mukirania Kibanzanga.

Kibanzanga was among the Bamba fighters who led a rebellion against the Toro kingdom, demanding independence in 1962.

The author is the Kasese District Information Officer

KASESE DISTRICT

By John B. Thawite

Rwenzori Mountain National Park

Rwenzori Mountain National Park is a mountain range gazetted as a National Park in 1991. It covers 996 square km, with its highest peak, Margherita at 5,109 metres. Due to its international recognition, it was designated a world heritage site in 1994.

The mist-shrouded peaks of the mountains of the moon provide a stunning backdrop to this magnificent park, located on Uganda’s western border. In the center of the range, some of the peaks are permanently covered in snow and glaciers, while the lower slopes are covered with dense forests. Here is the third highest mountain in Africa, Mt Margherita, which rises to 5100 metres above sea level. Walking tours in the foothills are a feature, although only the experienced and fit t should attempt an ascent on the peaks, which rival the Alps in difficulty. Some of the wildlife to be found in the mountains includes the chimpanzees, along with the blue monkey, hyrax, giant forest hog and many unique bird species such as the Rwenzori touraco, the francolin and the olive pigeon.

Attractions

• Water falls

• Rivers, notable among them being, rivers, Maghoma, Mubuku and Bujuku.

• Lakes, notable among them being, lakes Maghoma, Bujuku and Kitandara.

• Primates which include, blue monkeys, black and white Colubus monkeys and chimpanzees

• Plants which include among others the giant lobelia and everlasting flower.

• Multiple zones/ecosystem including grassland, Montana forest zone, bamboo zone, enyehathius / Heather zone, Afro Alpine zone.

• Rock shelters which include, Kabamba, Bujongolo.

• Three horned chameleon (endemic).

• Rwenzori touraco.

Current activities

i. Mountaineering

ii. Primate viewing

iii. Bird viewing

iv. Nature walks

v. Research

vi. Filming

vii. Scenic viewing.

Tourism Opportunities

Other tourism opportunities that can be developed

a) Lodges.

b) Guiding & porter services

c) Rock climbing

d) Chair lifts e.g. in Kilembe

e) Chimpanzee viewing (habituation)

f) Boating on lakes

g) Visits to cultural sites

h) Trans-boundary tourist management

i) Community tourism

j) Opening of other trails.

The drop in number of the tourists during 1995 to 1999 was due to the ADF insurgency that hit the region. With stable security in the region, the number is increasing and Kasese district is reasserting itself as a must tourist destination

Queen Elizabeth National Park:

It has been designed as a Biosphere Reserve for humanity under UNESCO auspices.

The park, in the western arms of the greatest East African rift valley, covers 1,978 sq km and includes a remarkable variety of ecosystems, from semi deciduous tropical forest to green meadows, savannah and swamps.

It was first gazetted as Kazinga National Park on 22nd July 1952 and two years later the Queen of England visited this park and in commemoration of her visit it was renamed Queen Elizabeth National Park.

It borders to the north by the Rwenzori mountains, to the west by Lake Edward which borders Virunga National Park in The Democratic Republic of Congo and to the east the Western rift valley escarpments.

It is the home of the famous tree- climbing lions as well as the Uganda Kobs, other antelopes’ species, elephants, baboons, hippos, buffaloes and chimpanzees. Over 600 species of birds have been recorded, making the park a magnate for bird watchers.

The bird species include the black bee-eater, 11 types of king fisher, and several species of falcons, eagles and other raptors. In the crate lakes to the north, flocks of flamingos can be found. A favourite way to view the game is by launch trip on the Kazinga channel between lakes George and Edward.

Generally investment opportunities in the tourism sector include:

• Tour and Travel business.

• Provision of quality hotel facilities that meet international standards.

• Training facilities in tourism industry.

• Development of specialized eco-tourism.

• Marketing Kasese District both in and outside Uganda.

• Promotion of avi-tourism.

• Promotion of sports in the district.

• Expansion of mountaineering services.

The tradition hospitality of the Kasese people is another important draw-card. The district’s population is united in providing a warm welcome to foreign guests; so even in the smallest of villages, local people will go out of their way to make tourists feel at home. The National Parks have been designated a Biosphere.

Financial services

The financial services offered in Kasese District are offered by the following:

• Commercial Banks.

• Micro finance institutions, which include NGOs’ and formal

Cooperative Savings and Credit Societies.

There are four commercial banks: Stanbic, Centenary Rural Development Bank and Barclays bank, all in Kasese town.

The micro finance services include those offered by:

• Pride Africa.

• Church of Uganda – Rwenzori Diocese.

• Catholic church - Kasese Diocese.

• Savings and Credit cooperative societies.

· Equity bank

They have been able to meet their initial capital and operating costs. They have been meeting a

real and genuine demand since most of the rural population has been left out from the

formal banking sector.

The overall objective of the financial sector reforms is to increase competition and

efficiency.

7. Investment opportunities in this sector include:

• Provision of professional accountancy services.

• Establishment of rural commercial banks.

• Provision of rural investment advisory services.

• Provision of rural agricultural finance scheme.

A number of factors make Kasese district a major potential investment area.

Strategic location

Kasese District occupies a strategic position in western Uganda, which gives it an advantage for the eventual development of exports to the nearest countries of Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania with a railway line connected to Mombasa, Kenya.

Good political environment

The political governance in Kasese district is committed to economic growth through the liberal economic policies.

Multinational companies like, Kasese Cobalt Company Ltd, Hima Cement (U) Ltd,

Kilembe Mines Ltd, Mweya Safari Lodge and Tronder Power among others are investing millions of dollars in expanding their operations in the district.

The Belgian Technical Cooperation (BTC) has committed a lot of millions of shillings in

improving the rural community based projects in agricultural extension, education, health, community mobilization, water and feeder roads, UNICEF among other donors has also committed funds in the district for improving health, roads, community mobilization, water and sanitation facilities.

Supportive infrastructure

Kasese district has benefited a lot in the development of its infrastructure with assistance from the central government. All sub counties are linked with accessible feeder roads. Kasese district is linked with its trade partners with a well-maintained trunk road system. The rail transport, which was used for bulk cargo transport to Kampala, is temporarily out of service.

Kasese district has an operational airfield, which is capable of handling air traffic c to all major

business centres in Uganda. Government is in the final stages of upgrading it to an international airport, capable of accommodating a Boeing 737. The telecommunication infrastructure is well developed which include mobile cellular phones (MTN, Zain, Uganda telecom, Warid and more recently, Orange optic and fixed line services.

Tourist accommodation is currently being catered for by two standard hotels

(Margherita and Mweya Safari Lodge) and other good local hotels in the district. The Ministry of Tourism, Trade and Industry in its Integrated Tourism development Master Plan, recognizes the need to create additional capacity, particularly in the National Parks.

Trainable English Speaking Labour Force.

Kasese District has an exemplary trainable English speaking labour force as other

investors in the district have found out. The district has been heavily committed

towards education. Compensation rates for both skilled and unskilled labour are

provided for under the Workmen’s compensation Act that is a statutory instrument of

Government of Uganda. More important, there has been no history of labour disputes

and industrial strikes in the district.

Abundant opportunities and Natural Resource Base

Kasese’s resource endowment is in its rainfall, favourable temperature range, fertile soils, national parks, lakes, rivers and unexplored mineral deposits that allow the district to offer a wide range of opportunities for investors.

It offers a wide range of opportunities in a wide range of areas of agriculture and agro processing, fisheries, livestock, mining, financial services and tourism.

33

12. Utilities: power and water

There is reliable hydropower supplied by Uganda Electricity Generation Company Ltd, Kilembe Mines Ltd and Kasese Cobalt Company Ltd. Water is supplied by the National Water and Sewerage Corporation to Kasese Town Council, which flows by gravity from the Rwenzori Mountains. There are several water gravity flow schemes in the district.

Other Services

Legal, Immigration, Medical, Clearing & Forwarding, & Insurance services are all available in the district. There is a grade I Magistrates court in Kasese Town and other lower magistrate’s courts at sub counties and the provision of the High Court is underway. Immigration services are provided at Mpondwe, which is at the border with the Democratic republic of Congo 50km from Kasese Town.

There is one government hospital (Bwera) and two semi-private ones (Kagando and Kilembe in Kasese District with Health units in all sub counties.

Other services include the National Social Security Fund and clearing and Forwarding services (Panalpina, Transami, Spedag) in Kasese town and Mpondwe respectively.

Quality of life

The quality and cost of living in Kasese District compares favourably with what investors

may hope to find else where in Uganda. Two standard hotels; Margherita Hotel is found in Kasese town while Mweya Lodge is in the Queen Elizabeth National Park. Leisure facilities exist for such pass time as golf, football, swimming, tennis and other indoor games. Primary Education is among the

best in the country with good schools in Kasese town.

Housing and accommodation with all the necessary facilities are easily available in Kasese town and Kilembe Mines estates within easy reach.

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