Vice President, Jesca Alupo buys shares at Millennium SACCO 2021 Ltd

ISINGIRO –Uganda’s Vice President Jesca Alupo bought shares worth Shs 5 million and promised to buy more at Millennium SACCO 2012 Ltd.

Alupo bought shares while opening the SACCO’S new structure in Rugaga. She was invited as a Chief Guest to grace the official rebranding of Ankole Millennium SACCO which started in Ankole diocese in 2012 to Millennium SACCO 2012 Ltd in Rugaga Town Council in Isingiro district.

“I have already bought shares of Shs 5 million and that is just the beginning. In the next meeting, I will be able to add more shares. I would like to encourage everybody to have that spirit of having shares because it’s important to save,” said Alupo.

She further encouraged the SACCO top leadership to open another branch in Katakwi district to expand its membership base.

“And in our next discussion, I will initiate a conversation about having one of the branches of Millennium SACCO 2012 Ltd in Katakwi district,” said Alupo, who is also the Woman Member of Parliament for Katakwi district.

Alupo hailed Dr Fred Sheldon Mwesigwa, the Bishop of Ankole Diocese for being a development focused church leader.

“I extend my appreciation to Bishop Dr Fred Sheldon Mwesigwa of Ankole diocese for setting a good example of religious leaders’ involvement in improving the socio-economic lives of the people of Uganda instead of only concentrating on spiritual needs of the citizens in terms of human resource development,” she said.

“The establishment of Millennium SACCO 2012 Ltd is another clear demonstration that the diocese is committed to supporting our economy because as you all know our economy is private-sector led through private enterprises,” Alupo said.

Alupo was also impressed that the new SACCO branch in Rugaga will change the face of the Town Council and economic lives of the people in Isingiro district.

“SACCOs are very important grassroot institutions that bring people together irrespective of religion, tribe, clan, colour, gender and age to pull resources, to promote a savings culture and also subsequently provide loans that can assist small enterprises to grow into giant projects. Therefore, I would like to call upon all the people of Isingiro and Ankole region in general to take advantage of Millennium SACCO Ltd. services,” said Alupo.

Dr Fred Sheldon Mwesigwa confirmed that changing the SACCO name was deliberately initiated by the SACCO top leadership to become a national SACCO with intentions of becoming a bank in future.

“We have managed to change the SACCO name from Ankole Diocese Millennium SACCO to Millennium SACCO 2012 Ltd. This is in preparation for us to expand our footprint in other regions,” says Mwesigwa.

“We want to turn it into a bank in the near future so we want a simple name, not a sentence, a reason we changed it to Millennium SACCO,” he added.

Mwesigwa appealed to the Vice President to push for a reduction of the amount of money required to start a bank in Uganda.

“H.E Vice President, we are requesting you to be our ambassador to stand against the increase in capital required for a SACCO to graduate to a bank. Why should Bank of Uganda propose to increase minimum capital from Shs 24 billion to Shs 150 billion for one to start a bank? Will Ugandans ever own banks in an era where we are promoting buy Uganda, build Uganda?” Bishop Mwesigwa asked.

“Our honorable MPs, isn’t this an issue within your docket? Why should we continue relying on European banks and refuse to start our own?” he further asked.

Fred Tumwine, the SACCO Board Chairman encouraged members to embrace mobile banking to limit chances of theft and insecurity among its members.

“Some people may want to rob you when you are carrying some big sums of money. I would like to encourage you to embrace technology which makes it easy for people to transact businesses,” says Tumwine.

Millennium SACCO Ltd was established on 13th December 2012 to improve people’s livelihoods by bridging the gap between the local community and the financial sectors.

Currently, it has 7 branches employing 54 people, with total savings of Shs 6.3 billion, loan portfolio of Shs 11 billion, share capital of Shs 2.1 billion, and a total membership of 16,659 since its inception.

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Uganda, South Sudan authorities concerned over continuous illegal cross border trades.

AMURU – Authorities in Uganda and South Sudan have raised concerns over the continuous illegal trade across borders in petroleum and drugs.

For years, community members living along the border villages of Palulu, Okidi North and South in Okidi parish in Atiak sub-county have engaged in illegal trade in petroleum, drugs like marijuana.

In October last year, South Sudan authorities raised concerns over inability by the Ugandan authorities to intensify security along the border lines to curb illegal trade.

David Otto, the Commissioner of Magwi County in South Sudan in an interview with our reporter says, they are concerned by the continuous illegal trade in mairungi, sugar and petroleum. Traders normally use the porous borders manned by URA and other security agencies.

According to Otto, despite knowing the porous border points, security and revenue personnel from the two countries have failed to apprehend the illegal traders and yet opt to accept bribes, fueling the business instead.

“What bothers us is the fact that despite the Ugandan authorities knowing that mairungi is illegal in South Sudan, they still can’t stop the trade along the borders. Besides that, I know that we all know the illegal porous border points yet we can’t affect arrests to stop the trade,” Otto wonders.

In a recent cross border meeting held at Nimule, in South Sudan, officials from both Uganda and South Sudan agreed to intensify deployments along the porous borders to curtail the seeming increasing cases of illegal trade between the two countries.

Justine Ocen, a resident of Palulu village in Okidi, Atiak sub-county in Amuru district, blamed the continuous illegal trade on the laxity by the security personnel deployed at the border points.

“People have known that no one resists money and so they (the illegal traders) are giving out money to the security personnel deployed along the border points in order to buy their way to and from South Sudan as they smuggle goods between the two countries,” Ocen notes.

Aggrey Akera, Keith, the LCV Councilor for Atiak sub county confirmed that the illegal trade across borders has been on the rise in recent times with key goods smuggled including cigarettes, sugar, petroleum among others.

Akera fears that since these goods are smuggled, their quality could be compromised and may put the lives of the consumers at risk.

According to Akera, besides quality concerns, security in the entire Atiak sub-county is at risk because in some incidents, the traders have been caught with firearms.

“We know that illegal trade across the two borders is on the rise and this means insecurity is also on the rise. For instance, if guns are recovered with the dealers and sometimes cattle rustlers from South Sudan, this means the security of the people in our community is at stake,” Akera, notes.

“We have also seen a rise in accident cases because the illegal traders believe that the only way to evade the deployed security personnel is to speed up. We recently lost two people who were aboard a Noah car which was being driven at a high speed from South Sudan as they tried to evade Uganda Revenue Authority officials,” Akera further explains.

Geoffrey Oceng Osborn, the Amuru Resident District Commissioner (RDC), told our reporter that currently, new deployments have been made along the border points.

He says, following reports from the cross-border meetings and public outcry on corruption, Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), has overhauled the entire staff deployed at the Elegu border post.

Atiak sub-county and Elegu Town Council lie along the border between the Uganda- South Sudan border stretching to Lamwo district where the next legal entry point is located.

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Security Minister Gen Jim Muhwezi bans rural hawkers

Kampala – The Minister for Security, Maj Gen Jim Muhwezi has issued a directive banning all hawkers in rural areas.

In a letter to all Resident District Commissioners [RDCs], District Police Commanders [DPCs]and all security personnel around the Country, Gen Muhwezi says, reports from the Internal Security Organization [ISO] have indicated that there are criminals moving around in villages pretending to be hawkers of merchandise.

“We have received information that there are people moving around villages especially in Western region, masquerading as hawkers” read the statement in parts.

Muhwezi says the practice is banned immediately, as it’s a source of insecurity for the country.

“The practice of moving in villages selling items should not be allowed as it is a source of insecurity”

He adds that those who want to trade in the rural areas should do so in the trading areas.

The directive comes barely two days after security in Kampala got involved in running battles with city traders and hawkers in an attempt to clean up the City streets of hawkers and vendors.

On Monday, a combined team of police and the military cleared Kampala streets of hawkers.

Several hawkers were arrested pending court action as Kampala Capital City Authorities [KCCA] grappled with the perennial challenge of vendors on the streets.

Meanwhile, Kampala Lord Mayor Elias Lukwago said, Jim Muhwezi, the Security Minister is not mandated to handle issues of hawkers including stopping them from plying their trade.

Lukwago further says, there are local government units that can handle hawkers through established by-laws that can give the decision a legal backing.

“We have local government units that can handle it. Local Councils should be allowed to act by passing by-laws- that would regulate hawking, Lukwago argued while appearing on NBS television.

Katikamu South MP, Hassan Kirumira says, if implemented, the directive would deny people living in the rural areas an opportunity to access cheap merchandise at their doorstep.

“Our people have been accessing cheap goods from the hawkers, but banning hawkers would mean they have to travel to Kampala or busy markets, which becomes more challenging,” Kirumira lamented.

Kampala Resident City Commissioner [RCC], Hood Hussein says, the directive is timely and would enable them to clean up the city, including towns.

Hussein further noted that rural hawking is not bad as compared to urban vending, but once the hawkers are a threat, then they should be regulated.

“Its government’s responsibility to protect the people and their property. If hawkers are a problem then we need to clean up through laws or such directives,” says Hussein why speaking to our reporter.

Gen Jim Muhwezi’s directive also follows reports of Allied Democratic Forces [ADF] rebel infiltration in the vast part of Western Uganda recruiting youth into rebel ranks.

Last week, authorities in DRC reportedly arrested Benjamin Kisokeranio, a key Allied Democratic Forces Commander in charge of recruitment in the rebel outfit.

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Local leaders in Rwenzori sub-region performing poorly in Emyooga program SC

KABAROLE: The Microfinance Support Center (MSC), Kabarole Zonal Manager, Emmanuel Mbogha has said, the Rwenzori sub-region local leaders are performing poorly in the Emyooga program.

Mbogha said the general recovery of funds is still below average which he attributed to the impact of COVID-19 when some businesses were closed down during the lockdown.

“Most associations were affected by the lockdown and this has led to poor performance of the Emyooga program as far as loan recovery is concerned,” Mbogha made this remark, during a training of trainers at Ataco Country Resort in Fort Portal City.

The purpose of the training was to equip the foot soldiers in the implementation of the program on what is going forward.

The training was attended by the District Commercial Officers (DCO), some Emyooga SACCO leaders, Microfinance Support Center staff among others.

Mbogha said, Rwenzori local leaders are the worst performing group and there is need to engage them so that they can start paying back.

The Rwenzori local leaders SACCOs received Shs 50m each for every district to improve their livelihood.

He further said, local artists are also not doing well as a result of lockdown as they have not been performing.

However, he noted that women entrepreneurs in Fort Portal City and hotel owners in Kasese district are doing very well with their recovery at 100%.

“We disbursed Shs 15bn to 13 districts that make Kabarole zonal area. This was disbursed to 503 SACCOs within 28 constituencies,” he said.

He noted that the biggest challenge they have encountered so far is related to mindset change as people have not appreciated the program.

The Emyooga Regional Coordinator for Tooro sub-region, John Turinawe said, the sustainability of these SACCOs lies in the hands of technical teams not politicians.

“The issue of mindset change should be a point forward. From the start, this program was politicized, the opposition used it during campaigns and people took it that way,” he said.

Turinawe added that people should leave politics out of this program for them to benefit.

The Member of Parliament representing Burahya constituency in Kabarole district Hon. Steven Kagwera said poor leadership is killing SACCOs.

“There is a need to take serious action on people embezzling SACCO money. The mismanagement of SACCO money is due to poor leadership and no action is taken leading SACCOs to collapse,” he said.

Background

Emyooga is a presidential initiative aimed at wealth and job creation. The programme was launched by the President of Uganda in August 2019 as part of government’s continuous strategies to transform 68% of Ugandan homesteads from subsistence to market-oriented production.

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MAAIF boosts Teso, Karamoja and Lango sub-regions in preparation for war against locusts

LANGO – A total of 23 districts from Teso, Karamoja and Lango sub-regions that experienced invasion by desert locusts in 2020 have received equipment worth Shs 3b, under the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) to support their efforts to deal with any future invasion.

The first invasion by a swarm of locusts was reported in Uganda on 9th February, 2020, in Moroto and Amudat districts, before it spread to 26 districts in Karamoja, Teso, Lango, Acholi, Sebei and Bugisu sub-regions.

Between February and October 2020, Uganda witnessed five waves of desert locust invasions which coincided with the regeneration of rangelands and the start of the planting season thus affecting the production of the main staple food in those sub-regions.

Though Uganda successfully dealt with the invasions, the other Eastern parts of Africa and Horn of Africa regions are still under desert locust threat and invasions, with swarms currently active in Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia.

This is according to the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) report on the possible outbreak of desert locusts, published on the 6th January, 2022.

“As the weather situation remains dry in Northern Somalia, limited movement of swarms of locusts is expected to occur,” reads the report in part.

To prepare Uganda for future locust invasions, Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) has donated a total of 23 motorcycles and 106 solar powered tablets, and assortment of standard Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), which includes; overalls, helmets and safety goggles to the districts of Eastern and Northern Uganda.

Among the districts which have benefited from the donation include; Karenga, Napak, Amudat, Abim, Nabilatuk, Amudat, Moroto, Nakapiripirit and Kotido in Karamoja sub-region, Katakwi, Amuria, Kapelebyong, Soroti, Serere, Bukedea in Teso sub-region and Otuke, Agago, Lamwo in Lango sub-region.

The donation is part of the Food and Agriculture Organizations (FAO) and the Japan Government under Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) contribution towards the fight against desert locusts in Uganda.

The State Minister for Fisheries, Hellen Adoa Abeku, who is also the Woman Member of Parliament Serere district said, the motorbikes are to be used by the extension workers to facilitate their movement to sensitize farmers and communities about crop and animal protection activities since there are currently no locust invasions being dealt with by Uganda.

She revealed that following the invasion of the locust in February, 2020, the government through the Ministry of Agriculture Animals Industry and Fisheries developed Desert Locust Control Strategy and Action Plan 2020-2023, to enhance preparedness and avert any negative effects of desert locust invasions

“Among the interventions of this action plan is; sensitization and awareness creation; capacity building, surveillance, monitoring and mapping of desert locust spread, ground control operations by Uganda People Defence Force (UPDF) and Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), aerial control operations as well as national coordination and regional collaboration,” said Minister Adoa.

She pointed out that it is against this strategy that the government is continuously enhancing preparedness for desert locust control and implementation, at the same time development partners have hinged their support towards enhanced preparedness in case of any other invasion.

According to Adoa, entomologists say that compared to the past two years where the country experienced five waves of locusts swamps between 9th February to October 2019, there is a potential invasion of swarms later this year because they are only present in North-East Somalia and not in Eastern Ethiopia and Central Somalia where prevailing winds tend not to impede their migration.

District Leaders Reaction.

Silver Ongom, the District Production Officer Katakwi district is grateful to the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries and their partners for the donation of motorcycles and tablets and urged for timely intervention from government agencies towards emerging disasters.

He lamented that most often government agencies take time to respond whenever disasters such as floods and famine occur, which gives the community time to grill them.

The LCV Chairperson Nabilatuk Paul Lokol , is equally happy for the donation which will help increase the presence of the extension workers on ground hence improving physical contact between the Agricultural Officers and the local community.

Meanwhile, Francis Akorikin, Stephen Ochola, the Chairperson Uganda Local Government Association (ULGA) in Teso sub-region is grateful to the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries for the donation of motorcycles and tablets to benefiting districts saying, that he prefers donations in kind to cash.

He is confident that these will ease the movement of extension workers, surveillance, monitoring and mapping of desert locust spread.

Ochola discouraged donors from giving government cash, citing that cash donations are tempting and can easily be misused.

The impact of 2020 desert locust invasion in Uganda.

Anotinio Querido, the Country Representative of Food Agricultural Organisation (FAO) said, the 2020 desert locust invasion affected close to 750,000 households in Northern and Eastern Uganda.

According to him, unlike Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya that were hit hard by the desert locust invasion, its impact in Uganda was not much.

However, he called on Uganda to use the experience from the three countries as a learning point and prepare for the worst in the near future.

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Government invests Shs60.7b to uplift education standards in Lango sub-region

LANGO – The government of Uganda has invested Shs 60.7b for infrastructural development in higher institutions of learning and establishment of secondary schools in the Lango sub-region.

The First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni said, a greater percentage of the money is for the construction at Uganda Technical College Lira and procurement of equipment while the rest was channelled for the construction of eight seed schools.

The schools according to State Minister for Sports who is also Ajuri County legislator Denis Hamson Obua include; Apac seed, Okwerodot in Kole, Aduku in Kwania, Agali in Lira, Batta in Dokolo, Muntu in Amolatar, Ogor in Otuke and Abia in Alebtong districts respectively.

Janet Museveni revealed the development in a message delivered by Junior Minister Obua at the graduation ceremony of 343 students at Lira University in Lira City.

The students graduated with Masters of Business Administration (MBA), Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration and Management, Masters of Public Health, Bachelor of Science in Midwifery and Bachelor of Science in Public Health.

Other disciplines include; Bachelor of Science in Community Psychology and Psychotherapy, Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Accounting and Finance, Commerce, Public Administration and Management and Business Administration.

“There are major infrastructure investments the government is making in the Lango sub-region in respect to education. For instance, Shs43.9b being invested in UTC Lira,” she said.

“This is to transform the institution into a centre of excellence on bridges and roads construction,” she added. The seed schools according to the minister costs Shs 16.8b.

She said, the education institutions not only bring construction jobs but they also stimulate the local economy primarily.

She advised the graduates stepping into the world of work to show the spirit of patriotism and love for citizens.

“Some of the countries that our young people admire so much did develop to where they are because their citizens love their country and never sought to destroy it,” she said.

The Chairperson of Lango Parliamentary Group, MP Judith Alyek said, the establishment of the university was a great opportunity for the people of Lango, Acholi and Teso to embrace higher learning.

She urged the government to have fairness and equity in the way resources are distributed to support both public universities and tertiary institutions.

Abdul George, one of the graduates said, without self-confidence and determination he would have not attained his Masters in Business Administration and Management.

He said, the major challenge faced in attempting to attain education in Uganda was the struggle to get school fees and scholastic materials.

“I would struggle to raise fees both for me and my siblings because my parents passed on when I was in senior two,” he said.

“It was so hard for me at times to understand what the teacher was teaching. All I would be thinking of was where I am going to write,” he said adding that it was such a torturing moment.

“I recalled when a teacher beat me badly because I went to school in no uniform, literally I needed to study but my parents had no money to buy a uniform,” he added.

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Government invests Shs60.7b to uplift education standards in Lango sub-region

LANGO – The government of Uganda has invested Shs 60.7b for infrastructural development in higher institutions of learning and establishment of secondary schools in the Lango sub-region.

The First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni said, a greater percentage of the money is for the construction at Uganda Technical College Lira and procurement of equipment while the rest was channelled for the construction of eight seed schools.

The schools according to State Minister for Sports who is also Ajuri County legislator Denis Hamson Obua include; Apac seed, Okwerodot in Kole, Aduku in Kwania, Agali in Lira, Batta in Dokolo, Muntu in Amolatar, Ogor in Otuke and Abia in Alebtong districts respectively.

Janet Museveni revealed the development in a message delivered by Junior Minister Obua at the graduation ceremony of 343 students at Lira University in Lira City.

The students graduated with Masters of Business Administration (MBA), Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration and Management, Masters of Public Health, Bachelor of Science in Midwifery and Bachelor of Science in Public Health.

Other disciplines include; Bachelor of Science in Community Psychology and Psychotherapy, Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Accounting and Finance, Commerce, Public Administration and Management and Business Administration.

“There are major infrastructure investments the government is making in the Lango sub-region in respect to education. For instance, Shs43.9b being invested in UTC Lira,” she said.

“This is to transform the institution into a centre of excellence on bridges and roads construction,” she added. The seed schools according to the minister costs Shs 16.8b.

She said, the education institutions not only bring construction jobs but they also stimulate the local economy primarily.

She advised the graduates stepping into the world of work to show the spirit of patriotism and love for citizens.

“Some of the countries that our young people admire so much did develop to where they are because their citizens love their country and never sought to destroy it,” she said.

The Chairperson of Lango Parliamentary Group, MP Judith Alyek said, the establishment of the university was a great opportunity for the people of Lango, Acholi and Teso to embrace higher learning.

She urged the government to have fairness and equity in the way resources are distributed to support both public universities and tertiary institutions.

Abdul George, one of the graduates said, without self-confidence and determination he would have not attained his Masters in Business Administration and Management.

He said, the major challenge faced in attempting to attain education in Uganda was the struggle to get school fees and scholastic materials.

“I would struggle to raise fees both for me and my siblings because my parents passed on when I was in senior two,” he said.

“It was so hard for me at times to understand what the teacher was teaching. All I would be thinking of was where I am going to write,” he said adding that it was such a torturing moment.

“I recalled when a teacher beat me badly because I went to school in no uniform, literally I needed to study but my parents had no money to buy a uniform,” he added.

https://thecooperator.news/8-alebtong-schools-request-for-government-intervention/

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Government invests Shs60.7b to uplift education standards in Lango sub-region

LANGO – The government of Uganda has invested Shs 60.7b for infrastructural development in higher institutions of learning and establishment of secondary schools in the Lango sub-region.

The First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni said, a greater percentage of the money is for the construction at Uganda Technical College Lira and procurement of equipment while the rest was channelled for the construction of eight seed schools.

The schools according to State Minister for Sports who is also Ajuri County legislator Denis Hamson Obua include; Apac seed, Okwerodot in Kole, Aduku in Kwania, Agali in Lira, Batta in Dokolo, Muntu in Amolatar, Ogor in Otuke and Abia in Alebtong districts respectively.

Janet Museveni revealed the development in a message delivered by Junior Minister Obua at the graduation ceremony of 343 students at Lira University in Lira City.

The students graduated with Masters of Business Administration (MBA), Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration and Management, Masters of Public Health, Bachelor of Science in Midwifery and Bachelor of Science in Public Health.

Other disciplines include; Bachelor of Science in Community Psychology and Psychotherapy, Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Accounting and Finance, Commerce, Public Administration and Management and Business Administration.

“There are major infrastructure investments the government is making in the Lango sub-region in respect to education. For instance, Shs43.9b being invested in UTC Lira,” she said.

“This is to transform the institution into a centre of excellence on bridges and roads construction,” she added. The seed schools according to the minister costs Shs 16.8b.

She said, the education institutions not only bring construction jobs but they also stimulate the local economy primarily.

She advised the graduates stepping into the world of work to show the spirit of patriotism and love for citizens.

“Some of the countries that our young people admire so much did develop to where they are because their citizens love their country and never sought to destroy it,” she said.

The Chairperson of Lango Parliamentary Group, MP Judith Alyek said, the establishment of the university was a great opportunity for the people of Lango, Acholi and Teso to embrace higher learning.

She urged the government to have fairness and equity in the way resources are distributed to support both public universities and tertiary institutions.

Abdul George, one of the graduates said, without self-confidence and determination he would have not attained his Masters in Business Administration and Management.

He said, the major challenge faced in attempting to attain education in Uganda was the struggle to get school fees and scholastic materials.

“I would struggle to raise fees both for me and my siblings because my parents passed on when I was in senior two,” he said.

“It was so hard for me at times to understand what the teacher was teaching. All I would be thinking of was where I am going to write,” he said adding that it was such a torturing moment.

“I recalled when a teacher beat me badly because I went to school in no uniform, literally I needed to study but my parents had no money to buy a uniform,” he added.

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DPP, Lady Justice Abodo drops murder charges against Pastor

KIKUUBE – The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Jane Frances Abodo has dropped the murder charges against Pastor George Baguma commonly known as Kagenyi of Bwera Miracle Church in Kyangwali sub-county, Kikuube district.

Bwera Miracle church is under the stewardship of Pastor Robert Kayanja of Miracle Centre Cathedral Kampala.

The dropping of charges comes a few weeks after the residents attacked and demolished the church structure which has been under construction.

In July last year, more than 400 residents petitioned the Office of the Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Amlan Tumusime demanding his intervention into what they termed as mismanagement of a murder case of one of their residents, John Turyamureba.

The residents accused Pastor Kagenyi of conniving with seven people to kill Turyamureba over unclear reasons.

The suspects included; Stephanie Uwimaana, the wife of the deceased, Twekabe James and Richard Musiguzi, sons of the deceased, Samuel Mugisha, Alloys Habineza, John Mbabazi and Jackson Tushabomwe all members of Bwera Miracle Church.

In August 21st 2021, the seven suspects were arrested; however, 6 of the suspects that included the children and their mother were released on police bond.

The residents protested their release on bond, forcing police from Kampala headquarters Kibuli to carryout fresh investigations into the matter.

As police carried out their investigations, Nickson Ahereza, handed himself to police, claiming that he killed the deceased together with the Pastor.

However, the DPP in a communication that was delivered to residents in Bwera villages by CID Officers from Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) headquarters in Kibuli, Kampala, Pastor Kagenyi and Nicolas Ahereza were exonerated.

According to the file that was read by Daniel Mugisa who led a team of CID officers, the DPP dropped the charges due to lack of substantial evidence to pin the suspects. According to the file which was presented to the resident, Ahereza, a key witness changed his statement that he had made at first.

According Mugisa, Ahereza denied knowing anything about the murder of Turyamureba and told the detectives that he was coached to tell lies against Pastor Kagenyi by a group of people who are in land wrangles with the Pastor. Ahereza told the detectives that the group promised to give him two acres of land after accomplishing the mission.

However, before Mugisa could complete delivering the DPP’s communication, residents speaking at the top of their voices protested DPP’s decision and accused Pastor Kagenyi of bribing the officers who handled the case.

Aston Muhwezi and Kareni Nabakyala said, the residents suspected that their witness was brainwashed to change his statement. They expressed their discontent about the judgement and vowed to appeal against the ruling.

“We are protesting because from the word go, police have not been serious with their work, after handing over the report to us, we will get somebody legal, to study the report and guide us. Then we shall sit as a village and seek a way forward, ” said Muhwezi.

But RDC Tumusime warned the residents who were threatening to harm Pastor Kagenyi against taking laws in their hands and told the residents that Pastor Kagenyi and Ahereza were free to live in the village without any disturbance.

He added that the law is ready to catch up with all those who will go against the DPP’s decision and advised them to appeal instead of engaging in violence

“According to the DPP, Kagenyi has no case, he did not kill the person, I am telling you this as an RDC. If you go against this decision, you will be arrested so let me hope those with ears have heard,” the RDC warned the angry residents.

Pastor Kagenyi commended DPP for exonerating him but accused police for failing to protect him and his property. He noted that in December last year, a group of residents attacked and demolished the church, his houses and the houses of his followers and the suspects are still free in the village.

The District Police Commander (DPC) for Kikuube district, Richard Asiimwe condemned the actions of the residents adding that the police had launched investigations into the murder.

“You people, you should not think that this is Congo, this is Uganda where laws are still working, the only person who is above the law in this Country is the President, if a general, an MP can be arrested, how about you the peasant of Bwera.”

https://thecooperator.news/police-on-the-spot-over-rising-number-of-criminal-gangs-in-gulu/

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Boda-boda riders lose millions of shillings from theft of motorcycles in Gulu

GULU – In the last twelve months, more than 170 motorcycles have been stolen from Gulu West and Gulu East Boda-boda Associations.

The motorcycle taxi, commonly known as boda bodas are the main means of transportation in Uganda and employs about 1.5 million youths according to Ministry of Works and Transport.

Raymond Ocan, the Chairperson Gulu West boda-boda association told theCooperator that they have lost 135 motorcycles which is approximately worth Shs 800 million.

Ocan said, most of their members acquired these motorcycles through loans from the various microfinance institutions that are putting pressure on the association to repay the loans.

The General Secretary, Gulu East boda-boda association, Godfrey Ojok is also facing similar challenges with more than 40 motorcycles stolen from the association within one year.

Ojok said, most of his members are now borrowing the motorcycles from their colleagues to raise money to settle their loans from the financial institutions.

The intelligence report from the security revealed that most of the motorcycles being stolen from the area are mainly taken to Karamoja region.

Denis Odongpiny, the Resident City Commissioner for Gulu revealed in an interview with theCooperator on Wednesday that the thugs are exchanging the motorbikes with cattle from the region.

“We have established their networks which will help our investigation but the most important thing is that we need to improve on our personal security and be vigilant,” Odongpiny noted.

His counterpart, the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Stephen Odong Latek of Gulu District described the situation as a big security concern which needs to be handled with structural approaches within the region.

The Officer incharge of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for Awsa River Region, Justus Twongyeirwe noted that many of such cases were not reported to police.

However, without disclosing the number of theft related cases of motorcycles that police have recorded, he noted that no investigations by the police has been linked to Karamoja.

“Yes, we can’t overrule that from our sister security organs but as police, our investigations have not linked any of the cases to Karamoja for exchange with cattle,” Twongyeirwe explained.

Meanwhile, as the vice escalates in the area, the riders have established a regional leadership structure of a boda-boda association within Acholi sub-region to streamline their governance and operation.

Maxwell Komakech, the Chairperson Patiko sub-county Boda-boda association in Gulu district was elected the Chairperson Boda-boda Association for Acholi sub-region.

The Chairman of the Omoro district Boda-boda Association was elected as the General Secretary, Secretary Finance was taken up by Kenneth Odong from Gulu district.

Ivan Ojok from Gulu West Boda-boda Association became the Regional Speaker and Emmy Ocen from Amuru district was elected as the Publicity Secretary for the association.

The association has also established different committees which include the disciplinary for dispute resolution, enforcement team and the regional coordination team.

Francis Lubangakene, the Chairperson Gulu East Boda-boda Association who doubles as the Chairperson disciplinary committee for the regional association is hopeful that this will reduce crime rates within the association.

He revealed that the association is in the process of drafting a constitution to regulate their operation, governance system; something he says will help protect both their customers and the members.

The elections were conducted on Saturday in Gulu City at Lamaco hotel presided over by the General Secretary Gulu East Boda-boda Association Godfrey Ojok as the Returning Officer.

The Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah was endorsed as the Patron of the association being supported by Rosalba Oywaa with all the Resident District Commissioners co-opted as the opinion leaders.

https://thecooperator.news/hoima-drivers-elect-new-leaders-to-manage-the-park/

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