Author: Simon Mbago
Mr Perezi Kaumi, the deputy executive director of the Uganda National Farmer’s Federation (UNFFE), advocates for nurturing the young generation into the agriculture sector to join efforts in strengthening the backbone of the country. He says that given the fact that young people are a critical component of Uganda’s population, with the highest percentage of seventy five below the age of 30 years, they need to be directly involved in the industry. He highlights that the agriculture education show serves as a platform for youngsters to acquire knowledge and skills. “We also know that from the National Budget 2022/23, agriculture’s…
JINJA: Alcohol and drug abuse are the leading cause of mental health issues in Uganda, a survey report by Mental Health Uganda (MHU) has noted. The survey was a result of a social contact project in Jinja City aimed at destigmatizing mental health conversations within the region. The project also discovered that witchcraft, chronic medical conditions, genetic factors, and severe stress also play a secondary role in causing mental health issues among the people of Jinja. “The feedback from focus groups discussions with persons with lived experiences and key informants indicated that community members associate mental health conditions to witchcraft.…
Jinja: The third edition of the National Agriculture Education Show kicked off Monday, June 24, 2024, at the renowned Jinja’s show ground located at the Source of the Nile. The annual agricultural initiative aiming to educate the young people in agriculture is organized by the Uganda National Farmer’s Federation (UNFFE), an umbrella body that brings together farmers across the country. Mr Nelson Tukundane, the communications officer of UNFFE, told the media on Monday that this year’s education exhibition is on the theme “Young innovations, transforming agriculture for national prosperity.” “We want our people to be the driving force of agriculture.…
David Kitungulu, a 50-year-old watchman at Butegere Primary School in Butansi subcounty in Kamuli district, has been arrested for reportedly torturing three pupils on accusations of stealing school firewood. This follows the viral video of the torture incident showing the suspect flogging the victims this week, prompting the police to open a general inquiry file vide GEF 23/2024. The incident occurred at Butegere Primary School, Butansi subcounty in Kamuli district. The tortured juveniles whose names were not identified are aged 10, 12, and 13 years. Preliminary investigations suggest that on Wednesday June 19, 2024 at around 08:00 pm, a teacher…
During a tourism trail in Bukono Chiefdom on Saturday, June 22, 2024, Rebecca Kadaga, Minister for East African Community Affairs, called for Bukono Constituency to be elevated to district status. Kadaga, who is also Uganda’s First Deputy Prime Minister, stated that the government had previously planned to make Bukono a district and questioned why the plans were halted. She emphasized that if new districts are announced, Bukono should be included. “We used to hear about elevating Bukono to a district, then suddenly, we stopped hearing about it. Where did the plan get lost? I assure you, if new districts are…
The first deputy prime minister and also the minister for East African Community Affairs Rebecca Kadaga and the determined Busoga Busoga Kingdom minister for tourism Owekitibwa Hellen Namutamba are unseated with promoting the tourism of the of the region. These embarked on launching tourist sites across all the chiefdoms that make up Busoga kingdom in what they termed “Busoga Tourism Trail.” Last weekend, the trail extended to Busiki chiefdom in Namutamba district where Nakyaka herbal forest site and Namagero cultural site were unveiled On Saturday, June 22, 2024, the trail will reach Bukono Chiefdom, where notable tourism sites, including Kikalu…
In a puzzling development in Bugiri district, a mind-blowing woman appeared after her purported burial following allegations that she had died in an accident. Shamim Kagoya, an 18-year-old daughter to Mr Iduma Kizito, residents of Bukazoto village in Nabukalu subcounty, Bugiri district was allegedly buried on Monday June 17, 2024, when she lost her life in an accident at Lugazi in Buikwe district. Residents narrate that Kagoya, who was an expectant mother of a 7-month pregnancy, was conveyed to Kawolo hospital where she allegedly breathed her last. Her family members, while contacted for the disturbing news in the hospital, examined…
Jinja regional referral hospital (JRRH) has patterned with the Uganda Heart Institute (UHI) for a cardiac surgery health camp targeting children with heart diseases. The 5-day health camp was launched on Monday June 17, and ends Friday June 21, 2024 at the Jinja hospital. The free initiative attracted a joint team of surgeons from JRRH and UHI, carrying out heart cardiac surgeries. Eight successful surgeries of children born with holes on heart have been conducted. Serving as the first of its kind, the health camp is targeting challenging children in Busoga, Eastern, and the Central regions to ensure normal growth.…
On April 22, 2024, a delegation of Jinja city officials traveled to the Netherlands to learn about the non-motorized transport system. The 10-day trip included Mr. Charles Nampendo, the Jinja city physical planner, Mr. David Eremye, the city engineer, and Mr. Hanest Nabihamba, the city principal environment officer. This visit was organized by Cycling out of Poverty (Coop-Uganda), an organization that promotes cycling. The delegation toured several Dutch cities to observe how bicycles are effectively used for transportation. On June 17, 2023, the officials shared their insights at a stakeholder meeting in Jinja city hall. They discussed how these systems…
Boda-boda riders in Jinja City and the greater Jinja district are worried about their safety after recent attacks by machete-wielding thugs. In just three days, two cyclists have been killed. Rogers Kyatelekera, who worked at Almeca stage in Mafubira, and Saidi Bony, who operated at Ambercourt Market, lost their lives in these brutal attacks. Eria Musobya, the chairperson of Boda Boda Cyclists in Jinja City, says that the rising insecurity is causing fear and disrupting their work. He pointed out that besides the fatalities, many riders have been injured and are living in constant fear. Musobya called for urgent intervention…