The Police in Kabale District are investigating the deaths of an unidentified male adult and a 31-year-old woman.

The body of the unidentified man was recovered floating on Lake Bunyonyi. The Marine Police retrieved the body and took it to Rutindo Landing Site and then to Kabale Regional Referral Hospital Mortuary for a postmortem examination.

The Police are asking the public to volunteer information and report to the Police anyone whose relative is missing and also help identify the deceased.

Meanwhile, the Police in Kabale have registered a sudden death of a 31-year-old woman identified as Judith Natuhwera, a casual worker who resided in Murwerere village Bubare Subcounty Rubanda district.

Natuhwera was a worker at a hotel owned by Tukamushaba Lydia along Nyerere road in Central Division in Kabale Municipality where she stayed in the same hotel with other workers.

The Police visited the scene and found Natuhwera’s body lying on her chest. The body was taken to Kabale Regional Referral Hospital Mortuary for a postmortem examination to ascertain the cause of her death.

The Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding both deaths.

Lawyer Male Mabirizi has petitioned the Constitutional Court, seeking a temporary injunction to halt the activities involving the Kabaka of Buganda Kingdom, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi, and his agents. These activities include mass settlers’ registration and the collection of ground rent (Busuulu Collections).

Mabirizi argues that these activities are illegal because the Kabaka is merely a trustee of the official mailo land, and all charges related to it are illegal. He also claims that the respondents have continued with their activities despite a pending petition in which he challenged Kabaka’s actions of presenting himself as the registered owner of official Mailo land and the government’s support for such claims.

Mabirizi seeks to prevent the Kabaka and his agencies, such as Buganda Land Board and Enkuluze (Royal Treasury), from conducting activities that portray them as registered owners of the official mailo land. This includes imposing registration fees, making threats against individuals living on Mailo land, and collecting a 10 percent charge of the sale value of land or Kibanja on the official Mailo land. He also seeks to halt the collection of money from non-lease Buganda people in the area and government agencies, including ministries, police, courts, UPDF, KCCA, and local governments from supporting Kabaka in carrying out these activities.

Mabirizi’s application is rooted in his contention that if the court does not grant his application, there is an imminent danger that the respondents will proceed with these exercises, potentially causing irreparable harm to him. This is not the first time Mabirizi has attempted to halt ground rent collections. In 2020, Supreme Court Judge Dr. Esther Kisakye declined his application to stop these collections, and in 2017, a High Court decision by Patricia Basaza ordering the Kabaka to provide certain information was overturned by the Court of Appeal panels of justices led by Justice Egonda Ntende. Mabirizi has now filed a similar case in the Constitutional Court, which is pending a determination.

The outcome of this case is significant because it could have implications for the Kabaka’s authority and the rights of settlers on official mailo land. If Mabirizi is successful, it could deal a major blow to the Kabaka’s claims of ownership of official mailo land.

On Thursday, September 21, 2023, Kabale Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Godfrey Nyakahuma ordered the immediate arrest of Sylvia Ekyasimire, the Parish Chief of Buranga Parish in Kamuganguzi Sub County, Ndorwa West County, and Patrick Wednesday, the area LC1 Chairman, over alleged corruption and violation of the Parish Development Model (PDM) guidelines.

Ekyasimire is accused of disbursing Ugx One Million from the revolving fund designated for the PDM to an individual who is not a resident of Nyarubira village within Buranga Parish, Kamuganguzi sub-county of Kabale district. She allegedly transferred the funds to a bank account bearing the number 3202720841 at Centenary Bank, registered in the name of Sarah Akamukama. It later emerged that Sarah Akamukama does not hold residency in any of the villages within Kamuganguzi sub-county.

Wednesday is accused of unlawfully employing the official stamp to authenticate the minutes of the Nyarubira Goat Keeping Group on 04/07/2023, without subjecting it to scrutiny and verification by the group members where Akamukama allegedly belongs.

These arrests come on the heels of the RDC’s order on Friday, September 22, 2023, for the apprehension of two Community Development Officers (CDOs) and six Parish Development Model SACCO leaders on grounds of alleged corruption and violations of PDM guidelines.

The list of suspects includes Sonia Ahimbisibwe, the Nyakagyera Parish Chief, Gill Andinda, the CDO of Kyanamira Sub County, Macklean Nyesimire, Chairperson of Nyakagyera PDM SACCO, Johnson Baguma, former Buhara District Councilor and Treasurer of Buhara Parish SACCO, Scora Tumwegyese, the CDO of Buhara Sub County, Innocent Twinomugisha, Secretary of Buhara Parish SACCO, Scovia Kwarikunda, Chairperson of Buhara PDM SACCO, and Silver Besigye, a committee member of Buhara PDM SACCO.

However, they were later released on Police bond.

These arrests mark significant actions taken by the authorities to address alleged corruption and misconduct within the PDM framework in Kabale District, underscoring their commitment to upholding accountability and transparency in local development initiatives.

The arrest of these local leaders is a positive development in the fight against corruption in the Parish Development Model (PDM). The PDM is a government program that aims to empower communities to identify and implement their own development priorities. However, corruption and misconduct can undermine the effectiveness of the PDM and prevent communities from benefiting from the program.

The authorities in Kabale District are taking a strong stance against corruption in the PDM. The arrest of these local leaders sends a clear message that corruption will not be tolerated. It is hoped that these arrests will deter others from engaging in corrupt practices and help to ensure that the PDM is implemented in a fair and transparent manner.

The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) has announced that its members will earn a 10% return on their savings for the 2022/23 financial year. This is higher than last year’s interest of 9.35%, which was the lowest rate paid in the past decade.

The announcement was made by Finance Minister Matia Kasaija during the Fund’s 11th Annual Members’ Hybrid meeting at the Kampala Serena Hotel on Tuesday.

Experts had earlier predicted a notable shift, with expectations of a return to double-digit interest rates of between 10% to 14%.

NSSF’s managing director, Patrick Ayota, acknowledged the challenges posed by declining yields on bonds. Despite these challenges, NSSF reported a 15% increase in total realised income, surging from sh1.9 trillion to sh2.2 trillion for the fiscal year ending on June 30, 2023.

Ayota attributed the growth in earnings to interest income, which climbed from sh1.79 trillion to sh2 trillion, and dividend income, which grew from sh84b to sh139b.

The 10% return on savings is good news for NSSF members, as it will help their savings grow over time. It is also a sign that the Fund is performing well and is able to generate returns for its members.

The Ugandan police have issued a cautionary alert regarding the resurgence of kidnapping cases involving schoolchildren, with criminals specifically targeting parents for ransom.

Two cases of kidnapping for ransom have been confirmed in the Kampala Metropolitan East and Naggalama division areas. In the first case, a 3-year-old girl named Hope Biyinzika was kidnapped on September 22 while walking home from school. Her kidnappers have demanded a ransom of sh2.6m in 24 hours.

In the second case, a 2-year-old boy named Shafik Ssesanga Nsubuga was kidnapped on the evening of September 19. His kidnappers have demanded a ransom of shillings two million for his release.

In a third case, a 14-year-old boy named Henry Olajo Kanyubi vanished while on an errand on September 18. His whereabouts are still unknown.

In a fourth case, a 15-year-old girl named Christine Mirembe disappeared on September 17. She is believed to have been kidnapped on her way to school.

The police are urging parents to be vigilant and to take precautions to protect their children from kidnapping. Here are some tips:

• Be aware of the security situation in your area and any recent incidents of kidnappings.
• When traveling, especially in unfamiliar areas, plan your routes and inform someone you trust about your journey.
• Vary your routine and avoid predictable patterns.
• Be cautious about sharing personal information on social media.
• Pay attention to your surroundings and trust your instincts if something feels off or suspicious.
• Stay away from areas known for high crime rates or kidnappings, if possible.
• Ensure that doors and windows are locked and secure at home and in your vehicle.
• Educate your children about the risks of abduction and provide them with strategies on how to stay safe.
• Keep a list of emergency contacts and authorities handy.
• Travel in groups, especially at night.
• Memorize emergency phone numbers and have a phone with you at all times.
• Choose reputable transportation options and avoid hitchhiking.
• If someone or a situation makes you uncomfortable, remove yourself from it and seek help if necessary.
• Install security systems and consider measures like motion-activated lighting at home.
• In the unfortunate event of a kidnapping attempt, try to remain calm and cooperate with the kidnapper. Your safety is the top priority.

Remember that safety precautions can vary depending on your location and circumstances, so always adapt these tips to your specific situation and seek local advice when necessary.