Author: Simon Mbago
The Jinja Grade One Magistrate Court on Monday, December 16, 2024, remanded Hellen Judith Baliraine on accusations of aggravated torture. Presided over by Yafesi Ochieng, the honorable court sent the 41-year-old woman, who severely tortured 8-year-old Catherine Kisakye, her stepsister, to remand. Magistrate Ochieng, who read the charges to the embattled Baliraine, did not allow her to enter a plea regarding the capital offense. “This court has no jurisdiction over capital offenses like aggravated torture, and you are not allowed to take a plea here,” Ochieng told Baliraine during the court session. The Magistrate, therefore, remanded her to Kirinya Prison…
Bugweri: Religious leaders and clan heads in Busoga have joined forces to fight teenage pregnancies and early marriages in the region, supporting Kyabazinga’s newly launched campaign, “Omusadha ne Mpango.” During the Men’s Day commemorations at the Busoga Kingdom headquarters in Bugebe, Jinja City, last Saturday, the King of Busoga, HRH William Wilberforce Nadiope Gabula IV, was officially unveiled as the National UN Goodwill Ambassador to End Teenage Pregnancy in the Busoga Sub-region and Uganda. The King’s new appointment prompted the launch of “Omusadha ne Mpango,” a powerful initiative led by the Kyabazinga to involve men in the fight against teenage…
Butembe Chiefdom is celebrating after emerging as the defending champion of the 2024 MTN Busoga Masaza Cup. In a closely contested match at Kyabazinga Stadium in Bugembe, Jinja City, on Sunday, December 15, 2024, Butembe FC secured a 1-0 victory over Bukono FC. Ivan Nakalanga, Butembe’s star striker, opened the scoring for the Jinja-based team with the only goal of the match in the final minutes of the first half. Butembe, which earned UGX 13 million as the tournament winner, claimed its second title, having previously won the trophy in the second edition in 2017. Bukono, which finished as runners-up,…
During a Royal Banquet at his Igenge Palace in Bugembe, Jinja City, on Saturday, December 14, 2024, the Kyabazinga of Busoga, His Majesty William Wilberforce Nadiope Gabula IV, fed hundreds of his subjects in celebration of his 36th birthday. The King, who was in the company of his Queen, Jovia Mutesi, majestically cut the cake together before serving it to the invited guests, who included several dignitaries from both the central government and the kingdom. Shining in a royal suit with a bowtie, His Majesty commended the notable participants who graced the colorful and memorable event at the palace. “You…
In a disturbing and shocking report, Busoga has lost a veteran politician, Dr. Frank Nabwiso, a renowned political figure in the region and beyond. The death of the former Kagoma County legislator was announced on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at around 10 a.m. Dr. Nabwiso, a diehard supporter of the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), reportedly breathed his last at Namirembe Hospital in Mukono after battling illnesses. At the time of his death, he was a member of the FDC’s Special Elders’ Council. The respected leader, who died at 83, represented Kagoma County in Jinja District as an area…
Police in Jinja city are holding 41-year-old Judith Baliraine for allegedly torturing her 8-year-old stepsister, who nearly lost her life. A resident of Bukware, Nakanyonyi cell in Bugembe, Jinja City, the social worker [suspect] was arrested on Friday, December 14, 2024, after disturbing pictures of the young girl’s condition went viral on social media. Baliraine, who works as a clerk in the Department of Agriculture at Madhvani Factory in Jinja, is accused of committing aggravated torture between September 2014 and December 9, 2024, at her residence in Jinja Northern Division. It is reported that the victim had been living with…
The Ugandan government has taken action against travel and labor companies reportedly scamming and trafficking Ugandans seeking better opportunities abroad. Over 1,000 Ugandan migrant workers are reported to be stranded at deportation centers, while others are detained in prisons on accusations of prostitution, contract substitution, and human trafficking, among other issues, in the Middle East. The Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development is running a continuous campaign on safe migration to combat the premature and unlawful exportation of labor, which has led to widespread struggles among young girls in Arab countries. “Fellow Ugandans, the return of Ugandans benefiting from…
During the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) across the country, emphasis has been placed on empowering women, who are often seen as the most vulnerable individuals and remain victims of harmful practices. Civil societies are vigilant in promoting women’s and girls’ rights, but they often focus less on the male gender. While advocating for equal rights, they reportedly overlook the idea of “equal wrongs” in communities. Ms. Alice Namugwana, the director of Total Love Africa, a nonprofit organization empowering young people, voiced concerns about women who take pride in torturing their husbands at home. “We are here…
As the Kyabazinga birthday celebrations approach, the youth have embarked on communal activities to mobilize the masses for the upcoming festivities. Scheduled for Saturday, December 14, and Sunday, December 15, 2024, the celebrations aim to mark the 36th year of the reign of His Majesty William Wilberforce Gabula Gabula IV, the King of Busoga. On Thursday, December 12, 2024, the Busoga Kingdom Youth Council (BKYC) spent the day cleaning Bugembe Central Market and several streets in the Jinja city suburb, before planting trees at the Kingdom Headquarters. Led by Mr. Yafesi Bairukireki, the BKYC chairperson, the youths cleaned Bugembe Market…
Busoga media practitioners, under their umbrella organization, the Busoga Media Association, have presented a Shs 450 billion proposal to Uganda’s State House in a bid for socioeconomic transformation. They are seeking financial support from President Yoweri Museveni to implement a two-year poultry project, which they believe could significantly alleviate their financial strains. During their annual end-of-year dinner at the Source Garden Hotel in Jinja City, media professionals from both electronic and print media appealed to President Museveni, the Fountain of Honor, to take decisive action on their project, which is anticipated to bring significant economic benefits to Busoga’s fourth estate.…